What's happening
This bill requires insurers to offer homeowners in floodplains coverage for damages caused by windblown waves or wave action.
Why it matters
Expands the scope of homeowner protection. by requiring that insurance policies in floodplains cover not just basic flooding, but also damages specifically caused by waves generated by wind or other forces—even if water levels remain technically below the official floodplain threshold.
Addresses a key coverage gap. for property owners whose losses from wave action (e.g., damage to docks, boathouses, break walls, or retaining walls) might not currently be covered, ensuring more comprehensive insurance for high-risk areas.
Could impact insurance costs or availability. for residents in floodplains, as insurers will need to price and manage this additional risk, potentially influencing premiums and underwriting practices.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Cover Wave Damage in Insurance
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Referred to insurance
- Referred to insurance
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2590
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 20, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. PRETLOW -- read once and referred to the Committee on Insurance
AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to requiring floodplain insurance to cover damages caused by waves
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The insurance law is amended by adding a new section 2351-a to read as follows:
§ 2351-a. Floodplain insurance, wave damage. (a) Any insurer which insures property in a floodplain shall make available to all insureds who reside in single family homes in the floodplain coverage under their homeowners' insurance policy for damages caused by windblown waves or wave action. Such policies shall cover the residence and any appurtenances thereto, including, but not limited to, garages, boat docks, restraining walls, boat houses, break walls and any other device used to prevent or minimize wave or water damage to real property.
(b) As used in this section, "windblown waves" or "wave action" shall mean the condition which exists when a floodplain area has high water conditions, even though below the floodplain level, and the water is stirred by wind or other conditions to cause waves which crest above floodplain level.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05277-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.