N.Y. Agent Groups Push Reforms
By Mark E. Ruquet
NU Online News Service, Jan. 13, 11:05 a.m. EST?Two New York agent groups said they will push for legislative action this year to revise state laws dealing with auto injury fraud and labor laws setting liability for worker injuries.
Both the Professional Insurance Agents of New York state based in Glenmont, N.Y., and the Independent Insurance Agents Association of New York headquartered in Syracuse, said they would be working with legislators to once again renew their efforts at reform to avoid what one group called "a crisis" in the state.
PIA of New York said it held its first legislative meeting of the year last week with 60 independent agents and New York lawmakers to discuss passage of legislation to fight automobile insurance fraud and reform the state's labor laws.
The IIAANY, recently released its "2003 Legislative Position Paper" covering the same issues and urging the legislator to complete work on these issues "to avert a deepening market crisis in New York."
Both are urging legislators to pass laws that would reform the state's no-fault automobile insurance system and make it harder to commit fraud.
PIA of New York said that while the state Senate and Assembly have passed anti-fraud bills, the versions differ. The association urges the legislators to remedy the differences and pass the much needed reforms.
IIAANY said the legislature needs to re-adopt laws that expired in August of 2001 concerning auto insurance cancellations, non-renewals and rate-adjustments. It also called for passage of anti-fraud legislation.
The two associations once again called for reform of New York Labor Laws Sections 240 and 241.
Under the laws, a contractor or property owner is held liable if a worker is injured in a fall, even if the fall results from negligence on the part of the worker.
The two associations say that this absolute responsibility is needlessly driving up the cost of insurance and making it impossible for some contractors to find coverage.
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.