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(II) A POLICY OF INSURANCE COVERING A SELLER'S OR A MANUFACTURER'S
OBLIGATIONS UNDER A WARRANTY; OR
(III) A HOMEOWNERS', RENTERS', PRIVATE PASSENGER AUTOMOBILE, COMMER-
CIAL MULTI-PERIL, OR SIMILAR POLICY.
(6) "WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT TRANSACTION" MEANS:
(A) THE SALE OR LEASE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT BY A VENDOR
TO A CUSTOMER; OR
(B) THE SALE OF A SERVICE RELATED TO THE USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNI-
CATIONS EQUIPMENT BY A VENDOR TO A CUSTOMER.
(7) "SUPERVISING ENTITY" MEANS A BUSINESS ENTITY THAT IS A LICENSED
INSURER OR INSURANCE PRODUCER THAT IS AUTHORIZED BY AN INSURER TO SUPER-
VISE THE ADMINISTRATION OF A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT INSURANCE
PROGRAM.
(8) "VENDOR" MEANS A PERSON IN THE BUSINESS OF ENGAGING IN WIRELESS
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT TRANSACTIONS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY.
(9) "WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE" MEANS TELEPHONIC AND/OR DATA
TRANSMISSION SERVICE OVER A WIRELESS NETWORK THROUGH WIRELESS COMMUNI-
CATIONS EQUIPMENT.
§ 2. Section 2131 of the insurance law, as amended by chapter 582 of
the laws of 2003, the section heading and subsections (a), (d), (e),
(f), (h) and (i) as amended by chapter 368 of the laws of 2010, and
subsection (g) as amended by chapter 426 of the laws of 2005, is amended
to read as follows:
§ 2131. Limited license for rental vehicle companies, wireless commu-
nications equipment vendors and self-service storage companies. (a) The
superintendent may issue to a rental vehicle company, a wireless commu-
nications equipment vendor, a self-service storage company or to a fran-
chisee of a rental vehicle company, [a wireless communications equipment
vendor,] or a self-service storage company which has complied with the
requirements of this section, a limited license authorizing the licen-
see, known as a "limited licensee" for the purpose of this article, to
act as agent, with reference to the kinds of insurance specified in this
section, of any insurer authorized to write such kinds of insurance in
this state.
(b) [The] EXCEPT AS CONTAINED IN PARAGRAPH THREE OF THIS SUBSECTION
REGARDING WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT VENDORS, THE prerequisites
for issuance of a limited license under this section shall be the filing
with the superintendent of the following:
(1) an application, signed by an officer of the applicant, for the
limited license in such form or forms, and supplements thereto, and
containing such information, as the superintendent may prescribe; [and]
(2) an appointment of a limited licensee by the appointing insurer, in
a format approved by the superintendent, no more than fifteen days after
the date the agency contract is executed or the first insurance contract
is submitted, whichever is later, stating that it has satisfied itself
that the named applicant is trustworthy and competent to act as its
insurance agent for this limited purpose and that the insurer will
appoint such applicant to act as the agent in reference to the doing of
such kind or kinds of insurance which are permitted by this section, if
the limited license applied for is issued by the superintendent. Such
appointment shall be subscribed by an officer or managing agent of such
insurer and affirmed as true under the penalties of perjury;
(3) THE PREREQUISITES FOR ISSUANCE OF A LIMITED LICENSE UNDER THIS
SECTION FOR A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT VENDOR SHALL BE THE
FILING OF A SWORN APPLICATION WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT ON FORMS
PRESCRIBED AND FURNISHED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT WHICH SHALL:
A. 3061 3
(A) PROVIDE THE NAME, RESIDENCE ADDRESS, AND OTHER INFORMATION
REQUIRED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR AN EMPLOYEE OR OFFICER OF THE VENDOR
THAT IS DESIGNATED BY THE APPLICANT AS THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
VENDOR'S COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS CHAPTER. HOWEVER, IF
THE VENDOR DERIVES MORE THAN FIFTY PERCENT OF ITS REVENUE FROM THE SALE
OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT INSURANCE THE INFORMATION NOTED
ABOVE SHALL BE PROVIDED FOR ALL OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AND SHAREHOLDERS OF
RECORD HAVING BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF TEN PERCENT OR MORE OF ANY CLASS
OF SECURITIES REGISTERED UNDER THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAW; AND
(B) THE LOCATION OF THE APPLICANT'S HOME OFFICE; AND
(4) ANY VENDOR ENGAGING IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT INSURANCE
TRANSACTIONS MUST OBTAIN A LICENSE PRIOR TO OFFERING WIRELESS COMMUNI-
CATIONS EQUIPMENT INSURANCE.
(c) In the event that any provision of this chapter is violated, the
superintendent may:
(1) revoke or suspend a limited license issued under this section in
accordance with the provisions of section two thousand one hundred ten
of this article; or
(2) after notice and hearing impose such other penalties, including
suspending the transaction of insurance at specific locations where
violations of this article have occurred, as the superintendent deems
necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this section.
(d) The rental vehicle company, wireless communications equipment
vendor, or self-service storage company, or franchisee licensed pursuant
to subsection (a) of this section may act as agent for an authorized
insurer only in connection with the rental of motor vehicles, the sale
or offering for sale of wireless communications equipment, or the rental
of storage space, respectively, and only with respect to the following
kinds of insurance:
(1) with respect to rental vehicle companies:
(A) excess liability insurance that provides coverage to the rental
car company or franchisee and renters and other authorized drivers of
rental vehicles, in excess of the standard liability limits provided by
the rental vehicle company in its rental agreement, for liability aris-
ing from the negligent operation of the rental vehicle;
(B) accident and health insurance that provides coverage to renters
and other vehicle occupants, in excess to the standard first party bene-
fits provided pursuant to article fifty-one of this chapter, for acci-
dental death and/or dismemberment and for medical expenses resulting
from an accident that occurs during the rental period;
(C) personal effects insurance that provides coverage to renters and
other vehicle occupants for the loss of, or damage to, personal effects
that occurs during the rental period;
(D) any other coverage which the superintendent may approve as mean-
ingful and appropriate in connection with the rental of motor vehicles;
or
(2) with respect to wireless communications equipment vendors, [insur-
ance issued to cover the loss, theft, mechanical failure, or malfunction
of, or damage to, wireless communications equipment offered] WIRELESS
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT INSURANCE as either an individual policy issued
to the consumer or as a group OR MASTER COMMERCIAL INLAND MARINE policy
under which certificates or other evidence of coverage are issued to
individual consumers who enroll in the program[, provided however, that
said insurance shall not extend to wireless services or service
contracts governed by article seventy-nine of this chapter]; or
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(3) with respect to self-service storage companies, the following
coverages offered as either an individual policy issued to the consumer
or as a group policy:
(A) personal effects insurance that provides coverage to renters of
storage spaces at the self-service storage company's facility for the
loss of, or damage to, personal property stored at the facility, where
the loss or damage occurs at the same facility during the rental period;
(B) any other coverage that the superintendent may approve as meaning-
ful and appropriate in connection with the rental of storage space.
(e) No insurance may be issued pursuant to this section unless:
(1) with regard to the rental of vehicles only, the rental period of
the rental agreement does not exceed thirty consecutive days; and
(2) at every location where rental vehicle agreements, wireless commu-
nications equipment agreements, or self-service storage agreements are
executed, brochures or other written materials are readily available to
the prospective consumer that:
(A) summarize, clearly and correctly, the material terms of insurance
coverage, including the identity of the insurer and, with regard to
wireless communications equipment insurance, the agent licensed under
subsection (b) of section two thousand one hundred three of this
article, THE IDENTITY OF THE SUPERVISING ENTITY, THE AMOUNT OF ANY
APPLICABLE DEDUCTIBLE AND HOW IT IS TO BE PAID, BENEFITS OF THE COVER-
AGE, AND KEY TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF COVERAGE SUCH AS WHETHER WIRELESS
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT MAY BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED WITH SIMILAR MAKE
AND MODEL RECONDITIONED OR NON-ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER PARTS OR EQUIPMENT;
(B) disclose that these policies may provide a duplication of coverage
already provided by a renter's personal automobile insurance policy,
homeowner's insurance policy, personal liability insurance policy, or
other source of coverage;
(C) state that the purchase by the consumer of the kinds of insurance
specified in this section is not required in order to rent a vehicle, to
purchase or lease wireless communications equipment, or to rent storage
space;
(D) describe the process for filing a claim in the event the consumer
elects to purchase coverage, AND WITH REGARD TO WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
EQUIPMENT INSURANCE, DESCRIBE HOW TO RETURN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
EQUIPMENT AND THE MAXIMUM FEE OR FEES APPLICABLE IN THE EVENT THE
CUSTOMER FAILS TO COMPLY WITH ANY EQUIPMENT RETURN REQUIREMENTS;
(E) the price, deductible, benefits, exclusions and conditions or
other limitations of such policies;
(F) disclose that the employee of the rental vehicle company, wireless
communications equipment vendor or self-storage company is not qualified
or authorized to evaluate the adequacy of the purchaser's existing
coverages, unless otherwise licensed; [and]
(G) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LAW, RULE OR REGULATION A WIRELESS COMMUNI-
CATIONS EQUIPMENT INSURANCE VENDOR SHALL STATE WHETHER AN EMPLOYEE MAY
EARN COMPENSATION UNDER THE VENDOR'S LIMITED LINES LICENSE AS ALLOWED
UNDER SUBSECTION (G) OF THIS SECTION AND THAT PART OF THE PREMIUM PAID
BY THE PURCHASER MAY BE PAID BY THE VENDOR TO AN ADMINISTRATOR; AND
(H) state that the customer may cancel the insurance at any time and
any unearned premium will be refunded in accordance with applicable law.
(3) WITH RESPECT TO WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT INSURANCE, THE
WRITTEN MATERIALS REQUIRED BY PARAGRAPH TWO OF THIS SUBSECTION SHALL NOT
BE SUBJECT TO FILING OR APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (F) OF THIS SECTION.
A. 3061 5
(4) evidence of coverage is provided to every consumer who elects to
purchase such coverage.
(f) Rates and forms for insurance under this section shall be subject
to article twenty-three of this chapter. Any brochures used in
connection with insurance under this section shall be filed with the
superintendent for review and shall include disclosure of the claims
filing process, premium, deductible amounts and limits and shall be
prominently displayed in the brochure with at least twelve-point type
bold headings. Any such brochures shall also be subject to section
three thousand one hundred two of this chapter, provided, however, that
any policy, certificate or other evidence of insurance coverage, whether
or not contained in such brochure, shall not be subject to section three
thousand one hundred two of this chapter, but shall be written in a
clear and coherent manner and whenever practicable shall use words with
common and everyday meaning to facilitate readability and to aid the
policyholder in understanding the coverage provided.
(g) Any limited license issued under this section shall also authorize
any salaried employee or any sales representative authorized by the
licensee who, pursuant to subsection (h) of this section, is trained to
act individually on behalf, and under the supervision, of the licensee
with respect to the kinds of insurance specified in this section.
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, EMPLOYEES OR AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVES OF A VENDOR OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT SHALL
NOT BE COMPENSATED BASED ON THE NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS ENROLLED FOR WIRE-
LESS COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT INSURANCE COVERAGE BUT MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO
RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR ACTIVITIES UNDER THE LIMITED LINES LICENSE
WHICH IS INCIDENTAL TO THEIR OVERALL COMPENSATION.
(h) Each company or franchisee licensed pursuant to this section shall
conduct a training program, which shall be submitted to the superinten-
dent for approval prior to use, and which shall meet the following mini-
mum standards:
(1) each trainee shall receive basic instruction about the kinds of
insurance specified in this section offered for purchase by prospective
renters of rental vehicles, purchasers or lessors of wireless communi-
cations equipment, or renters of storage space;
(2) each trainee shall be instructed with respect to the disclosures
required under subsection (e) of this section and to acknowledge to a
prospective renter of a rental vehicle, purchaser or lessor of wireless
communications equipment, or renter of storage space that purchase of
any such insurance specified in this section is not required in order
for the consumer to rent a motor vehicle, purchase or lease wireless
communications equipment, or rent storage space;
(3) each trainee shall be instructed to acknowledge to a prospective
consumer of the kinds of insurance specified in this section that the
consumer may have insurance policies that already provide the coverage
being offered by the rental vehicle company, the wireless communications
equipment vendor, or self-service storage company pursuant to this
section; and
(4) with regard to wireless communications equipment insurance and
self-service storage company insurance, training materials may be devel-
oped and provided by an agent licensed pursuant to subsection (b) of
section two thousand one hundred three of this article.
(i) Limited licensees acting pursuant to and under the authority of
this section shall comply with all applicable provisions of this arti-
cle, except that notwithstanding section two thousand one hundred twenty
of this article, a limited licensee pursuant to this section shall not
A. 3061 6
be required to treat premiums collected from consumers [purchasing such
insurance when renting motor vehicles, purchasing or leasing wireless
communications equipment,] or renting storage space as funds received in
a fiduciary capacity, provided that:
(1) the insurer represented by the limited licensee has consented in
writing, signed by the insurer's officer, that premiums need not be
segregated from funds received by the rental vehicle company, [wireless
communications equipment vendor,] or self-storage company on account of
vehicle rental, [wireless communications equipment purchase or lease,]
or storage space rental; [and]
(2) the charges for insurance coverage are itemized but not billed to
the consumer separately from the charges for rental vehicles, [purchase
or lease of wireless communications equipment,] or storage space rental;
AND
(3) WITH RESPECT TO WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT INSURANCE PREMI-
UMS, VENDORS BILLING AND COLLECTING SUCH CHARGES SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED
TO MAINTAIN SUCH FUNDS IN A SEGREGATED ACCOUNT PROVIDED THAT THE VENDOR
IS AUTHORIZED BY THE INSURER TO HOLD SUCH FUNDS IN AN ALTERNATIVE MANNER
AND REMITS SUCH AMOUNTS TO THE SUPERVISING ENTITY WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OF
RECEIPT. ALL FUNDS RECEIVED BY A VENDOR FROM AN ENROLLED CUSTOMER FOR
THE SALE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT INSURANCE SHALL BE CONSID-
ERED FUNDS HELD IN TRUST BY THE VENDOR IN A FIDUCIARY CAPACITY FOR THE
BENEFIT OF THE INSURER. ANY CHARGE TO THE ENROLLED CUSTOMER FOR COVERAGE
THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE PURCHASE OR LEASE
OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT OR RELATED SERVICES SHALL BE SEPA-
RATELY ITEMIZED ON THE ENROLLED CUSTOMER'S BILL. IF THE INSURANCE COVER-
AGE IS INCLUDED WITH THE PURCHASE OR LEASE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
EQUIPMENT OR RELATED SERVICES THE VENDOR SHALL CLEARLY AND CONSPICUOUSLY
DISCLOSE TO THE ENROLLED CUSTOMER THAT THE COVERAGE IS INCLUDED WITH THE
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT OR RELATED SERVICES. VENDORS MAY
RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR BILLING AND COLLECTION SERVICES.
(j) No limited licensees under this section shall advertise, represent
or otherwise hold itself or any of its employees themselves out as
licensed insurance agents or brokers.
(k) The superintendent may issue a replacement for a currently in
force license which has been lost or destroyed. Before such replacement
license shall be issued, there shall be on file in the office of the
superintendent a written application for such replacement license,
affirming under penalty of perjury that the original license has been
lost or destroyed, together with a fee of fifteen dollars.
(l) [For purposes of this section "wireless communications equipment"
shall mean wireless handsets, pagers, personal digital assistants, wire-
less telephones or wireless telephone batteries and other wireless
devices and accessories related to such devices that are used to access
wireless communications services and includes wireless services]
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LAW, RULE, OR REGULATION TO THE CONTRARY, WITH
RESPECT TO WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT INSURANCE, THE ONLY DISCLO-
SURES AND MATERIALS REQUIRED IN THE PROVISION OF SUCH INSURANCE SHALL BE
THE ITEMS REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION.
§ 3. Section 3449 of the insurance law, as added by chapter 426 of the
laws of 2005, is amended to read as follows:
§ 3449. Wireless communications equipment insurance policies. (a) In
this section, the term "policy of wireless communications equipment
insurance" means an insurance policy covering the kind of insurance
described in subsection [(1)] (Z) of section two thousand one hundred
[thirty-one] ONE of this chapter.
A. 3061 7
(b) (1) A group policy, and certificates issued thereunder, of wire-
less communications equipment insurance shall not be subject to the
provisions of section three thousand four hundred twenty-five or three
thousand four hundred twenty-six of this article.
(2) An insurer shall not terminate or otherwise change the terms and
conditions of a group policy of wireless communications equipment insur-
ance, and certificates issued thereunder, except upon providing the
policyholder and certificate holders with at least [sixty] THIRTY days
notice. If the insurer changes the terms and conditions, then the insur-
er shall provide the policyholder with a LETTER NOTIFYING THEM OF THE
CHANGES, A revised policy or endorsement and each certificate holder
with a revised certificate or endorsement, an updated brochure or
facsimile thereof, OR OTHER EVIDENCE INDICATING A CHANGE IN THE TERMS
AND CONDITIONS HAS OCCURRED, and an explanation of the changes.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph two of this subsection, an insurer may
terminate a certificate upon fifteen days notice for:
(A) nonpayment of premium; or
(B) discovery of fraud or material misrepresentation in obtaining the
certificate or in the presentation of a claim thereunder.
(4) Notwithstanding paragraph two of this subsection, an insurer may
automatically terminate a certificate if the certificate holder:
(A) ceases to have active telecommunications service with the wireless
communications equipment vendor; or
(B) exhausts the aggregate limit of liability, if any, under the
certificate and the insurer sends notice of termination to the certif-
icate holder within fifteen business days after exhaustion of the limit.
However, if notice is not timely sent, coverage shall continue notwith-
standing the aggregate limit of liability until the insurer sends notice
of termination to the certificate holder.
(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (B) of paragraph
four of this subsection, upon the request of a certificate holder, the
certificate holder's coverage shall be eligible for reinstatement not
more than twelve months following the date of exhaustion of the coverage
limit in accordance with the terms of the policy and subject to the
enrollment criteria then applicable to prospective certificate holders
generally.
(6) Where the group policy is terminated by the policyholder, the
policyholder shall mail or deliver written notice to each certificate
holder advising the certificate holder of the termination of the group
policy and the effective date of termination. The written notice shall
be mailed or delivered to the certificate holder at least thirty days
prior to the termination.
(c) Whenever notice is required pursuant to this section, it shall be
in writing and mailed or delivered to the policyholder at the
policyholder's mailing address and to affected certificate holders at
the certificate holders' last known mailing addresses on file with the
insurer. Every notice of termination shall specify the reason or reasons
for termination.
(d) (1) Notwithstanding subsection (c) of this section, an insurer
shall not be required to give notice of termination to the certificate
holder if the insurer has been advised by either the policyholder or
another insurer that substantially similar coverage has been obtained
from the other insurer without lapse of coverage.
(2) A policyholder shall not be required to give notice of termination
to a certificate holder if substantially similar coverage has been
obtained from another insurer without lapse of coverage.
A. 3061 8
(e) NOTICE OR CORRESPONDENCE REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION OR OTHERWISE
REQUIRED BY LAW MAY BE SENT ON BEHALF OF AN INSURER OR VENDOR, AS THE
CASE MAY BE, BY THE SUPERVISING ENTITY APPOINTED BY THE INSURER.
(F) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THE LAW, WIRELESS COMMUNI-
CATIONS EQUIPMENT INSURANCE MAY BE OFFERED ON A MONTH TO MONTH OR OTHER
PERIODIC BASIS AS A GROUP OR MASTER COMMERCIAL INLAND MARINE POLICY
ISSUED TO A VENDOR OF PORTABLE ELECTRONICS FOR ITS ENROLLED CUSTOMERS.
(G) The superintendent may promulgate regulations regarding policies
of wireless communications equipment insurance, including, but not
limited to, regulations governing policy terms and conditions, and may
establish other reasonable limitations.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
it shall have become a law.