New York State
Insurance Department

ISSUED 7/7/2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MILLS: FLOOD VICTIMS NEED INSURANCE INDUSTRY’S SUPPORT

        Superintendent of Insurance Howard Mills today issued a Circular Letter asking state Insurance Department licensees operating in the 13 counties recovering from flood damage to consider a policyholder’s situation when interacting with the region’s individuals and businesses.

        "In particular, I would hope adjusters and underwriters exercise care and responsible judgment in making determinations regarding claims, cancellations and non-renewals of policies," Superintendent Mills stated.

        Circular Letters (CL) are issued by the Insurance Department periodically and provide Departmental guidance to the industry on best practices, the Department's stance on certain public policy questions, and other matters.

        Under state law, the Superintendent of Insurance may declare a moratorium precluding policy cancellations and non-renewals in areas of the State that have been declared by the Governor to be in a state of emergency due to disaster or catastrophe. Superintendent Mills has not as yet chosen to invoke this power in the 13 counties where Governor Pataki has declared a disaster emergency: Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Orange, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga and Ulster.

        "I’m very proud of the important role the Insurance Department has played in New York State’s response to the crisis in Central New York and the Hudson Valley. We have some of our best professionals staffing the eight Disaster Assistance Service Centers while others continue to answer the dozens of calls that come each day into our toll-free Disaster Hotline," Superintendent Mills said. The Insurance Department’s Hotline number is 1-800-339-1759.

        The Department’s mobile command vehicle is arriving at the Broome County Disaster Assistance Service Center (DASC) in Binghamton, NY on Saturday, July 8 to provide additional support. Insurance Department personnel are available at that locale seven days a week, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., and at the seven other DASCs that have been established. The eight fixed-site locations are as follows:

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