Allow Self-Inspect for Car Insurance

Section 1. Subsections (e), (f) and (h) of section 3411 of the insurance law, subsections (e) and (f) as added by chapter 805 of the laws of 1984, are amended and a new subsection (o) is added to read as follows:

(e) For a renewal of a policy referred to in subsection (d) of this section, an insurer may require, as a condition of such renewal, that the automobile be made available for inspection by the insurer, the insurer's authorized representative, or by the insured pursuant to subsection (o) of this section.

(f) If an insurer requests an inspection pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, the insured shall make the automobile available for inspection by the insurer or the insurer's authorized representative, upon reasonable notice. The insurer may also, upon reasonable notice, allow the insured to complete the automobile inspection pursuant to subsection (o) of this section. If the insured, upon reasonable notice, fails to make the automobile available for inspection by the insurer, the insurer's authorized representative, or by completing the inspection pursuant to subsection (o) of this section, the insurer may refuse to continue such physical damage coverage.

(h) Where an inspection is made pursuant to this section, it shall be conducted by the insurer [or its], the insurer's authorized representative, or by the insured pursuant to subsection (o) of this section, and shall be recorded on a form prescribed by the superintendent. Such form shall be retained by the insurer with its policy records for such insured, and a copy of such form shall be made available to the insured upon request.

EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

[ ] is old law to be omitted.

LBD06203-01-9

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(o) (1) An insurer may, at its option, comply with subsections (d) and (e) of this section by allowing the insured to self-inspect the insured vehicle and self-submit documentation establishing the inspection, consistent with the requirements of this subsection. An insurer is not required to comply with subsections (d) and (e) of this section by allowing the insured to self-inspect the insured vehicle.

(2) The self-inspection option available pursuant to this subsection shall only apply to vehicles insured by personal lines insurance.

(3) The self-inspection option available pursuant to this subsection shall not apply to vehicles insured by the New York automobile insurance plan.

(4) To perform an automobile inspection pursuant to this subsection, the insured must, at minimum, submit the following documents to the insurer or the insurer's authorized representative:

(a) digital photographs of the insured vehicle; and

(b) the signed, completed inspection form referenced in subsection (h) of this section.

(5) An automobile inspection performed pursuant to this subsection is deemed complete only when the insurer or its authorized representative has received both the signed, completed inspection form and the required digital photographs.

(6) Each digital photograph submitted by the insured must be in color, clear, and must include metadata that indicates the date and time that the photograph was taken.

(7) Each digital photograph submitted by the insured must be in .jpeg format, the resolution must be no less than 2048 x 1536 pixels, and the file size per photo must be no less than 200KB but no greater than 5MB.

(8) Each digital photograph submitted by the insured must be taken no more than ten calendar days prior to the date written on the inspection form, and no more than fourteen calendar days after the date written on the inspection form. The included metadata must confirm that each digital photograph was taken no more than ten calendar days prior to the date written on the inspection form, and no more than fourteen calendar days after the date written on the inspection form.

(9) The insured must certify the accuracy and completeness of the information recorded on the inspection form prescribed by the superintendent, under penalty of perjury. Any knowing misrepresentation shall constitute a "fraudulent insurance act" as that term is defined in subsection (a) of section four hundred three of this chapter.

(10) The insured must certify the authenticity of the signature on the inspection report prescribed by the superintendent, under penalty of perjury. In accordance with section three hundred four of the state technology law, an electronic signature is permissible.

(11) The insurer and/or its authorized representative must take reasonable, appropriate steps necessary to ensure the security and integrity of data that the insured submits pursuant to this subsection.

(12) If the insured chooses to sign the inspection form with an electronic signature, the insurer and/or its authorized representative must take reasonable, appropriate steps necessary to ensure the security of the electronic signature and verify its authenticity.

(13) The insurer and/or its authorized representative must establish reasonable, appropriate procedures necessary to ensure that once inspection forms are signed and submitted, they are, at minimum, stored electronically, in a secure fashion, and are retained by the insurer and/or its authorized representative for a minimum period of time to be determined by the superintendent.

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(14) If, upon inspection of the insured's digital photographs, the insurer finds that the insured has failed to comply with the photograph submission requirements provided in this subsection or in the applicable regulations, the insurer must request further inspection of the vehicle by the insurer or its authorized representative. Further self-inspection of the vehicle pursuant to this subsection is not permitted, and any subsequent inspection or inspections still must be completed no more than fourteen calendar days after the effective date of coverage. The insurer shall have the right to refuse to continue physical damage coverage until the insured completes the subsequent inspection or inspections.

(15) If, upon inspection of the insured's digital photographs, the insurer identifies inaccuracies or errors in the information recorded on the inspection form, the insurer must request further inspection of the automobile by the insurer or its authorized representative. Further self-inspection of the vehicle pursuant to this subsection is not permitted. The insurer shall have the right to refuse to continue physical damage coverage until the insured completes the subsequent inspection or inspections.

(16) If, upon inspection of the insured's digital photographs and/or review of the inspection form prescribed by the superintendent, the insurer identifies evidence of a fraudulent insurance act, the insurer may cancel or rescind the insured's physical damage coverage, and may report such evidence of a fraudulent insurance act to law enforcement authorities. In connection with providing the inspection form, the insurer must also issue a notice to the insured containing the language prescribed in subsection (e) of section four hundred three of the insurance law.

(17) The superintendent may promulgate additional regulations specific to this subsection.

(18) Unless the superintendent promulgates additional regulations specific to this subsection, in addition to satisfying the requirements of this subsection, the insurer and the insured must also comply with the applicable inspection standards prescribed pursuant to 11 NYCRR § 67 except that:

a. The insured must only submit photographs to the insurer or its authorized representative electronically using digital media; and

b. If the insured electronically transmits the signed, completed inspection report to the insurer or its authorized representative, the insured must use an electronic signature.

§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.