S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
8745
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 11, 2014
___________
Introduced by M. of A. MOYA, CAMARA, TITONE, CRESPO, RODRIGUEZ, BRAUN-
STEIN, KIM -- read once and referred to the Committee on Insurance
AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to enacting the
"construction insurance transparency act of 2014" requiring all insur-
ers which issue policies of liability insurance insuring against
claims made in reliance upon the duty imposed by the "scaffold law" to
file annual financial statements and detailed claim data with the
superintendent of financial services
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the
"construction insurance transparency act of 2014".
S 2. Declarations of legislative findings. The legislature hereby
finds and declares that persons, corporations, associations or other
business entities which issue policies of liability insurance insuring
an owner of real property or a contractor who is performing work and
services on real property against claims made in reliance upon the
duties imposed upon such parties by section 240 of the labor law,
commonly referred to as the "scaffold law", owe an obligation to the
public, to those they insure and to those who may in the future be
insured by them, to fully disclose in a public and transparent manner
all elements relating to the premiums paid for such insurance, the meth-
od and manner in which such premiums are determined and imposed upon
insureds, and claims made by injured persons who rely on owners and
contractors to provide a safe and secure worksite as required in such
section of such law. It is essential that the public be made aware of
such an insurer's responsibility to inform them of their financial
condition and solvency, and the details and specifics of the factors and
circumstances behind its financial solvency as well as the basis for the
rates they charge to owners and contractors to obtain such coverage. The
determination of premiums for such liability insurance policy in this
state has, unfortunately, gone on too long in obscurity, with even those
who bear the cost of premiums unable to learn why prices are set as they
are. As a matter of public trust, liability insurers should be required
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11972-02-4
A. 8745 2
to make the public aware of the pertinent facts related to their premium
determinations and financial solvency by disclosing all the pertinent
facts as provided for in this section. It is the further sense of the
legislature that this data should be disclosed in an open and public
manner, and should be made available without undue cost and delay.
S 3. The insurance law is amended by adding a new section 342 to read
as follows:
S 342. FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND DETAILED CLAIM DATA TO BE FILED WITH
THE SUPERINTENDENT. (A) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE TERM "INSURER"
SHALL MEAN ANY PERSON, CORPORATION, ASSOCIATION OR OTHER BUSINESS ENTITY
WHICH ISSUES A POLICY OF LIABILITY INSURANCE INSURING A CONTRACTOR OR
OWNER OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN THIS STATE AGAINST CLAIMS MADE BY AN
INJURED WORKER, THE CLAIM FOR WHICH IS MADE IN RELIANCE UPON THE DUTY
OWED TO SUCH WORKER PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED
FORTY OF THE LABOR LAW.
(B) ON OR BEFORE APRIL FIRST OF EACH YEAR, EVERY INSURER SHALL FOR THE
PRIOR CALENDAR YEAR PROVIDE THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE PUBLIC WITH A
DETAILED FINANCIAL STATEMENT TO SUPPLEMENT AND EXPAND UPON ANY OTHER
INFORMATION OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO THE DEPARTMENT AS IT RELATES AN INSUR-
ER'S PROVISION OF LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE TO OWNERS OF REAL PROPER-
TY OR CONTRACTORS PERFORMING SERVICES TO OWNERS OF REAL PROPERTY FOR
CLAIMS MADE BY AN INJURED PERSON IN RELIANCE UPON THE DUTY OWED BY
SECTION TWO HUNDRED FORTY OF THE LABOR LAW; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE
INITIAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT SO FILED BY AN INSURER AFTER THE EFFECTIVE
DATE OF THIS SECTION SHALL INCLUDE THE INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THIS
SUBDIVISION NOT ONLY FOR SUCH PRIOR CALENDAR YEAR BUT ALSO FOR THE
PREVIOUS NINE CALENDAR YEARS PRIOR TO SUCH REPORT. THE FINANCIAL STATE-
MENT SHALL, IN DEPTH, SEPARATE THE COST OF PROVIDING SECTION TWO HUNDRED
FORTY OF THE LABOR LAW BASED COVERAGE FROM THE COST OF PROVIDING GENERAL
LIABILITY INSURANCE INSURING THE SAME OWNER OR CONTRACTOR WITH RESPECT
TO THE SAME PROPERTY AND SHALL CONTAIN AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING INFORMA-
TION RELATING TO COVERAGE PURSUANT TO SUCH SECTION: (1) THAT PORTION OF
PREMIUMS ASSESSED AND ATTRIBUTABLE TO PROVIDING SUCH COVERAGE; (2) PAID
JUDGMENTS, SETTLEMENTS OR LOSSES RESULTING FROM SUCH COVERAGE; (3) CASE
RESERVES FOR LOSSES WHICH MAY BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COVERAGE; (4) INCURRED
BUT NOT REPORTED LOSS ESTIMATES WHICH MAY BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COVERAGE;
(5) PAID DEFENSE AND COST CONTAINMENT EXPENSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ANY
CLAIMS MADE BASED UPON SUCH COVERAGE; (6) CASE RESERVES FOR DEFENSE AND
COST CONTAINMENT EXPERIENCE ATTRIBUTABLE TO ANY CLAIMS MADE BASED UPON
SUCH COVERAGE; (7) INCURRED BUT NOT REPORTED DEFENSE AND COST CONTAIN-
MENT ESTIMATES BASED UPON SUCH COVERAGE; (8) PREMIUM AND LOSS EXPERIENCE
IDENTIFIED BY POLICY LIMITS AND DEDUCTIBLES; (9) NUMBER OF CLAIMS INITI-
ATED AND CLOSED; (10) NUMBER OF CLAIMS CLOSED WITH LOSS PAYMENTS; (11)
NUMBER OF OPEN CLAIMS AT THE TIME SUCH STATEMENT IS PREPARED; (12) OTHER
EXPENSES BY CATEGORY AS DETERMINED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT TO REFLECT THE
COST TO THE INSURER TO PROVIDE SUCH COVERAGE AS PART OF A LIABILITY
INSURANCE POLICY; (13) INVESTMENT INCOME REALIZED FROM THAT PORTION OF
THE PREMIUM PAID FOR A POLICY PROVIDING SUCH COVERAGE; (14) THE AMOUNT
OF EXPOSURE TO THE INSURER RESULTING FROM THE PROVISION OF SUCH COVERAGE
AND WHETHER THE INSURER HAS LIMITED THE AMOUNT OF COVERAGE PROVIDED
TOGETHER WITH AN ESTIMATE OF THE AMOUNT WHICH MIGHT BE REQUIRED OF THE
INSURED TO PURCHASE FURTHER COVERAGE FROM AN OUT OF STATE EXCESS LINES
PROVIDER, BASED UPON CURRENT DATA AVAILABLE TO SUCH IN-STATE PROVIDER,
ESPECIALLY WHERE SUCH IN-STATE PROVIDER OPERATES AS AN EXCESS LINE
INSURER FOR RISKS IN ANOTHER STATE; (15) AMOUNTS SPENT BY INSURER FOR
RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS, OR REQUIRED TO BE SPENT BY INSUREDS AT THE
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BEHEST OF THE INSURER, WHICH PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED AND INTENDED TO
PROMOTE WORKSITE SAFETY, MORE PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO HEIGHT
RELATED ACCIDENTS COVERED BY SECTION TWO HUNDRED FORTY OF THE LABOR LAW;
AND (16) THE AFOREGOING EXPERIENCE AND INFORMATION FURTHER SUBDIVIDED BY
QUALITY OF RISK AS MEASURED BY PRIOR LOSS EXPERIENCE, CONTRACTOR PAYROLL
RANGES, CONTRACTOR NUMBER OF EMPLOYEE RANGES, RISK MANAGEMENT PARTIC-
IPATION, AND OTHER RELEVANT IDENTIFIABLE DIFFERENCES IN EXPOSURE TO
INSURANCE LOSS. THE DATA PROVIDED BY INSURERS SHALL BE SEPARATED OUT SO
THAT A DETERMINATION CAN BE MADE THAT A CLAIM MADE OR PAID IS BASED
PARTIALLY OR TOTALLY UPON SECTION TWO HUNDRED FORTY OF THE LABOR LAW;
COVERAGE, AND NOT ANY OTHER PROVISION OF STATUTORY OR COMMON LAW IMPOS-
ING ANOTHER OR DIFFERENT OR SEPARATE STANDARD OF CARE OR DUTY TO AN
INJURED PARTY. SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENT SHALL INCLUDE THE ENTIRETY OF
SUCH INSURER'S BUSINESS ACTIVITIES INSURING AGAINST RISKS OCCURRING IN
THIS STATE AND SHALL BE IN A FORM DETERMINED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT. THE
FORM SHALL BE SUFFICIENTLY ITEMIZED IN A MANNER THAT ALLOWS FOR AN ACTU-
ARIALLY SOUND ANALYSIS OF THE INCOME REALIZED BY THE INSURER FROM ALL
SOURCES DURING SUCH YEAR, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PREMIUMS, INVEST-
MENT INCOME, AND ANY OTHER CATEGORY OR CATEGORIES OF INCOME AS DETER-
MINED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT TO REFLECT THE FULL DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
OF THIS SECTION AND THAT PORTION WHICH MAY BE SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO
SUCH COVERAGE. AT A MINIMUM, SUCH INFORMATION SHALL CONSIST OF THE ITEMS
SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT OF INCOME, EXCLUDING THE CAPITAL AND SURPLUS
ACCOUNT SECTION OF THE PROPERTY/CASUALTY STATUTORY ANNUAL STATEMENT, AS
APPLICABLE TO THE INSURER'S NEW YORK STATE BUSINESS, AS WELL AS THE
OTHER INFORMATION DELINEATED IN THIS SUBSECTION. SUCH FINANCIAL STATE-
MENT SHALL ALSO CONTAIN A COMPREHENSIVE AND DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE
INSURER'S EXPENSES ACTUALLY INCURRED AND PAID DURING SUCH CALENDAR YEAR,
TO INCLUDE NORMAL BUSINESS EXPENSES, SALARIES, COMMISSIONS, CONSULTING
FEES, LEGAL EXPENSES, ADVERTISING COSTS AND ANY OTHER CATEGORY DEEMED
PERTINENT TO THE INTENT OF THIS SECTION. AT A MINIMUM, THE EXPENSE
INFORMATION REQUIRED SHALL CONSIST OF THE ITEMS SET FORTH IN THE UNDER-
WRITING AND INVESTMENT EXHIBIT - PART 3 - EXPENSES OF THE
PROPERTY/CASUALTY STATUTORY ANNUAL STATEMENT, AS APPLICABLE TO THE
INSURER'S NEW YORK STATE BUSINESS. WITH RESPECT TO SALARIES (INCLUDING
ALL OTHER FORMS OF COMPENSATION), EACH INSURER SHALL ITEMIZE THE SALARY
OF THE TWENTY MOST HIGHLY COMPENSATED EMPLOYEES OF SUCH INSURER DURING
SUCH YEAR, PROVIDED THAT THE NAMES OF SUCH EMPLOYEES NEED NOT BE
DISCLOSED. SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENT SHALL ALSO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH
A SYNOPSIS OF CLAIMS OR SETTLEMENTS PAID FOR SECTION TWO HUNDRED FORTY
OF THE LABOR LAW COVERAGE PURSUANT TO SUCH POLICIES OR CONTRACTS, LIST-
ING THE TOTAL OF SUCH CLAIMS AND SETTLEMENTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO SUCH COVER-
AGE. AT A MINIMUM, THE CLAIM INFORMATION REQUIRED SHALL CONSIST OF THE
ITEMS SET FORTH IN THE EXHIBIT OF PREMIUMS AND LOSSES OF THE
PROPERTY/CASUALTY STATUTORY ANNUAL STATEMENT, AS APPLICABLE TO THE
INSURER'S NEW YORK STATE BUSINESS AND IDENTIFIED AND CATEGORIZED SEPA-
RATELY FOR EACH ZIP CODE IN THIS STATE. SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENT SHALL
BE SIGNED AND ATTESTED AS FULL, COMPLETE AND ACCURATE BY THE CHIEF EXEC-
UTIVE OFFICER OF THE INSURER, AND HE OR SHE SHALL BE HELD PERSONALLY
RESPONSIBLE WITH RESPECT TO THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF SUCH STATE-
MENT. THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL PROVIDE INSURERS WITH A METHOD TO SUBMIT
THEIR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ELECTRONICALLY VIA THE INTERNET, WHICH METHOD
SHALL INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO THE USE OF AN ELECTRONIC SIGNA-
TURE WHICH SHALL BE SUBJECT TO, AND SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION
THREE HUNDRED SIXTEEN OF THIS ARTICLE; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT NO EXCEP-
TION AUTHORIZED IN SUCH SECTION MAY BE REQUESTED OR GRANTED.
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(C) ON OR BEFORE APRIL FIRST OF EACH YEAR, EVERY INSURER SHALL PROVIDE
THE SUPERINTENDENT WITH DETAILED CLOSED CLAIM INFORMATION FOR THE SAME
INSURANCE COVERAGE AS PROVIDED FOR IN SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION FOR
THE MOST RECENTLY CONCLUDED CALENDAR YEAR. UNTIL THE SUPERINTENDENT
PROMULGATES DATA COLLECTION FORMS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE ITEMIZATION
REQUIREMENTS, DATA SHALL BE COLLECTED USING, AT A MINIMUM, THE MOST
RECENT PUBLICLY AVAILABLE FORMS REQUIRED BY LAW, OR COMMONLY USED IN THE
INSURANCE INDUSTRY. THE SUPERINTENDENT MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL INFORMA-
TION BEYOND THAT WHICH MAY OTHERWISE BE CURRENTLY REQUIRED IF HE OR SHE
DEEMS IT NECESSARY AND WARRANTED WITHOUT THE NEED TO FORMALLY ADOPT A
RULE OR REGULATION PROVIDED SUCH REQUIREMENT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE
INTENT OF THIS SECTION. SUCH DETAILED CLAIM DATA SHALL BE SIGNED AND
ATTESTED AS FULL, COMPLETE AND ACCURATE BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
OF THE INSURER, AND HE OR SHE SHALL BE HELD PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE WITH
RESPECT TO THE ACCURACY OF THE DATA. THE DETAILED CLAIM DATA SHALL BE
SUBMITTED IN THE SAME MANNER AS PROVIDED FOR IN SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS
SECTION.
(D) THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL, IN BOTH WRITTEN FORM AND AS PART OF THE
DEPARTMENT WEB SITE, MAKE SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND DETAILED CLAIM
INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. THE DETAILED CLAIM INFORMATION
SHALL BE PROVIDED IN AGGREGATE FORM FOR ALL INSURERS AND SEPARATED BY
SPECIFIC INSURER, COMBINED WITHOUT ANY IDENTIFICATION OF A SPECIFIC
CLAIM TO A SPECIFIC INSURER. NONE OF THE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DETAILED
CLAIM INFORMATION SHALL IDENTIFY THE INDIVIDUAL INSURER, DEFENDANT OR
PLAINTIFF, OR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SAME, ASSOCIATED WITH THE CLAIM.
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND DETAILED CLAIM INFORMATION SHALL BE DEEMED
A PUBLIC DOCUMENT AND NO PERSON SHALL BE REQUIRED TO FILE A REQUEST FOR
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SIX OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS
LAW IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A COPY THEREOF, BUT UPON REQUEST AND PAYMENT OF
THE FEE FOR COPYING SUCH DOCUMENT, IT SHALL BE PROVIDED FORTHWITH. WITH
RESPECT TO THE ELECTRONIC COPY OF SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND DETAILED
CLAIM INFORMATION, WHICH SHALL BE ACCESSIBLE ON THE DEPARTMENT'S WEB
SITE, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HIGHLIGHT THE AVAILABILITY OF SUCH INFORMA-
TION TO THE PUBLIC ON SUCH WEB SITE, AND THE LINK TO EACH INSURER'S
FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND THE AGGREGATED DETAILED CLAIM INFORMATION SHALL
BE ACCESSIBLE IN A SIMPLE AND EASY MANNER. BOTH THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT
AND AGGREGATED DETAILED CLAIM INFORMATION ON THE DEPARTMENT'S WEB SITE
SHALL BE AVAILABLE IN SPREADSHEET FORMAT, IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER
FORMAT THE SUPERINTENDENT DETERMINES IS APPROPRIATE. WHERE SUMMARIES ARE
INCLUDED, THEY SHALL BE WRITTEN IN PLAIN AND SIMPLE ENGLISH SO THAT THE
PUBLIC AT LARGE CAN EASILY COMPREHEND THE DATA PROVIDED.
(E) ON OR BEFORE JULY FIRST OF EACH YEAR, THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL
ISSUE REPORTS SUMMARIZING AND EXPLAINING THE INFORMATION COLLECTED FROM
THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE DETAILED CLAIM INFORMATION AND SUMMA-
RIZING THE COST AND OTHER ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS RELEVANT TO PROVIDING
SECTION TWO HUNDRED FORTY OF THE LABOR LAW COVERAGE. SUCH REPORT SHALL
FURTHER CONTAIN SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS THE SUPERINTENDENT DEEMS ADVISABLE
TO ENCOURAGE THE UTILIZATION OF RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS TO BE REGULARLY
CONDUCTED BY CONTRACTORS TO REDUCE PREMIUMS AND PROVIDE WORKERS WITH A
SAFER WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND ANY OTHER STEPS CONTRACTORS OR REAL PROPERTY
OWNERS SHOULD UTILIZE IN FURTHERANCE OF THE SAME. THE SUPERINTENDENT MAY
SEEK, AND SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE, THE AID AND ASSISTANCE OF THE
COMMISSIONER OF LABOR AND ANY OTHER STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL OFFICIAL
CHARGED WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR WORK SITE SAFETY IN PREPARING SUCH ANAL-
YSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. COPIES OF SUCH REPORTS SHALL BE FORWARDED TO
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY AND
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THE CHAIRS OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY INSURANCE COMMITTEES. SUCH REPORTS
SHALL BE PUBLIC DOCUMENTS AND SHALL BE ACCESSIBLE BOTH IN PAPER COPY AND
ON THE DEPARTMENT'S WEB SITE IN A SIMILAR FASHION AS PROVIDED FOR IN
SUBDIVISION (D) OF THIS SECTION.
(F) WHERE AN INSURER FAILS OR REFUSES TO PROVIDE THE SUPERINTENDENT
WITH A FULL AND COMPLETE DISCLOSURE AS REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION, THE
SUPERINTENDENT SHALL TAKE SUCH ACTION HE OR SHE DEEMS NECESSARY TO BRING
THE INSURER INTO FULL COMPLIANCE. SUCH ACTION MAY INCLUDE IMPOSITION OF
A CIVIL PENALTY OF UP TO FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ASSESSED AGAINST THE
INSURER FOR EACH VIOLATION, TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF ANY RIGHT TO ISSUE
ADDITIONAL POLICIES OR CONTRACTS UNTIL THE INSURER BRINGS ITSELF INTO
FULL COMPLIANCE, AN AUDIT OF THE INSURER'S RECORDS BY THE DEPARTMENT OR
ITS DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE TO OBTAIN THE INFORMATION AND WHICH AUDIT
SHALL BE PAID FOR BY THE INSURER, OR ANY OTHER CIVIL REMEDY THE SUPER-
INTENDENT DEEMS WARRANTED OR NECESSARY UNTIL SUCH INSURER FULLY
COMPLIES. IN ADDITION THE OFFICER WHOSE SIGNATURE IS AFFIXED TO SUCH
STATEMENT MAY BE PERSONALLY PENALIZED TO THE SAME EXTENT.
(G) THE SUPERINTENDENT MAY PROMULGATE SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS HE OR
SHE DEEMS NECESSARY FOR THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS SECTION, AND SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS MAY BE PROMULGATED ON AN
EMERGENCY BASIS IF THE SUPERINTENDENT WARRANTS SUCH ACTION TO BE NECES-
SARY.
S 4. Severability. If any item, clause, sentence, subparagraph, subdi-
vision or other part of this act, or the application thereof to any
person or circumstances shall be held to be invalid, such holding shall
not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this act but it shall
be confined in its operation to the item, clause, sentence, subpara-
graph, subdivision or other part of this act directly involved in such
holding, or to the person and circumstances therein involved.
S 5. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
ing the date upon which it shall have become a law.