NU Online News Service, Sept. 24, 2:35 p.m. EDT

New York's insurance regulator has outlined several proposals to ensure consumers have access to homeowners insurance, but insurance associations believe he is fixing a problem that doesn't exist.

Insurance Superintendent James J. Wrynn's proposals are aimed at ensuring availability and affordability in the homeowners insurance marketplace. The proposals would cover a catastrophe fund, windstorm deductibles and limits on nonrenewals.

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America countered, saying the insurance superintendent is "trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist."

Kristina Baldwin, assistant vice president for government affairs for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, said, "We are concerned that these proposals could create marketplace conditions that negatively affect both the availability and affordability of coastal homeowners insurance for consumers."

The New York Insurance Association (NYIA) said it is surprised by Mr. Wrynn's proposals and it is "unaware of an availability problem in New York."

The state insurance department's proposal is "counterproductive, unnecessary, burdensome and unduly restrictive," the NYIA said in a statement.

Mr. Wrynn said he has called a meeting of the Temporary Panel on Homeowners Insurance Coverage for Oct. 13 to talk about his proposals. The panel was created by law to look at insurance issues on the coast.

The insurance department "will explore the viability of creating a pool or some plan that could be used to cover the cost of a catastrophe and reduce premium increases after a catastrophe," according to a statement from the department.

Ms. Baldwin called the proposal "ill-advised."

"Government intrusion into the private market should be limited to instances in which market problems require action," Ms. Baldwin said. "In this case, there are no problems." The reinsurance market is stable and healthy, she added.

Mr. Wrynn's proposals include standardized windstorm deductibles. Insurers now charge deductibles for wind damage whether it is caused by a hurricane or not. New regulations would limit these deductibles.

Finally, Mr. Wrynn would like to impose regulations on insurers attempting to reduce risk by dropping policies on renewal. Currently insurers can drop 4 percent of their policyholders without department notification. Mr. Wrynn would like to change this so if that any reduction in a given county is 2 percent or more, the insurer must file a withdrawal plan.

The proposals could create an unattractive market for insurers, Ms. Baldwin said.

Windstorm deductibles in New York were devised in the 1990s to address availability problems on the coast. The deductibles allowed insurers to increase policies written in high-risk areas, said Ms. Baldwin.

New regulations on nonrenewals proposed by Mr. Wrynn could deter insurers from writing in New York, she predicted.

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N.Y. Regulator Seeks To Revise Homeowners Coverage

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