Circular Letter No. 24 (1999)

July 7, 1999

Pursuant to Chapter 678 of the Laws of 1997 as amended by Chapter 509 of the Laws of 1998, a re-engineered financial security program is being developed by the DMV. The purpose of this program is to ensure that all motor vehicles registered and driven in New York State have adequate motor vehicle insurance to protect individuals from damages that may occur from operating these motor vehicles. The Insurance Information and Enforcement System (IIES) is an on-line registry of motor vehicle insurance which is being established to accurately identify insured motor vehicles and by inference those that are uninsured. This registry will give the Superintendent of Insurance, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, and state and local law enforcement officers the tools needed to ensure that only insured motor vehicles are operated in this State.

The DMV released the IIES specifications on April 1, 1999 and expects full implementation by January 3, 2000. The DMV website (http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/iies.htm) provides the specifications for the data collection and reporting requirements.

Pursuant to Sections 308 and 317 of the Insurance Law, each insurer shall submit to the New York State Insurance Department confirmation that it will be in full compliance with the statute. If the insurer anticipates not being in compliance by January 3, 2000 then it must include in its response a detailed explanation as to why it cannot do so. In addition, the insurer must indicate when it will be in compliance and what the specific impact full compliance by the implementation date will have on the insurer, i.e., what specific company projects will be delayed if its resources are directed toward compliance with the statute. This should not be construed as an indication that any exemption from full compliance will be granted. For those insurers reporting information on their insureds to jurisdictions in addition to New York, please indicate whether or not you are utilizing X-12811 Transaction Set mechanism to make those reports.

The response must include the name, phone number, and e-mail address of a contact person who is fully conversant with the statute and the company's obligations thereunder.

Acknowledgment of receipt of this Circular Letter by the Chief Information Officer of the company is required and may be submitted with the response no later than July 27, 1999 to:

Barry Weintraub, Senior Insurance Examiner
New York State Insurance Department
Property Bureau, 2^nd floor
25 Beaver Street
New York, New York 10004

Very truly yours,

____________________
Mark Presser
Assistant Deputy Superintendent
and Chief Examiner
Property Bureau