2019 New York Laws
ISC - Insurance
Article 3 - Administrative and Procedural Provisions
337 - Annual Consumer Guide on Automobile Insurance.

§  337.  Annual  consumer  guide  on  automobile  insurance.  (a)  The
superintendent shall issue and update, as necessary, a consumer guide on
private passenger automobile insurance that shall contain  comprehensive
information  written  in  plain  language  in a clear and understandable
format, including the following:
  (1) an  annual  ranking  of  automobile  insurers:  (A)  including  an
analysis  of  private passenger insurers in the state which provides, in
detail, a ranking of such insurers from best  to  worst  based  on  each
insurer's  record  of  consumer complaints during the preceding calendar
year, using criteria available to the department, adjusted for volume of
insurance written; and (B) taking into consideration  the  corresponding
total  of  claims  improperly  denied  in  whole  or  in  part, consumer
complaints found to be  valid  in  whole  or  in  part,  and  any  other
pertinent   data  which  would  permit  the  department  to  objectively
determine an insurer's performance; and (C) the superintendent may note,
to the extent relevant, actions  taken  by  the  department  against  an
insurer for violating any law or regulation;
  (2)  a  list  of makes and models of automobiles that generally do not
meet underwriting guidelines of automobile  insurers  or  in  regard  to
which  consumers  can  expect  to  pay higher premiums as a result of an
automobile's style, model type or other distinguishing features,  except
that  specific  insurers  shall  not  be identified for purposes of such
list;
  (3) an explanation of all types of automobile  insurance  required  by
law  and available as optional coverage, including policyholders' rights
under these types of coverage and when making claims;
  (4) an explanation of and information on the automobile insurance plan
established pursuant to article fifty-three of this  chapter,  including
how  motorists  in  such  plan  should  proceed  in attempting to obtain
insurance in the voluntary market;
  (5) recommendations as to how best to shop  for  and  compare  prices,
service and quality of automobile insurance coverage;
  (6)  an explanation of prohibited discriminatory practices applying to
insurance companies, agents and brokers; and
  (7) a department toll free consumer hot-line through  which  consumers
may   initiate   complaints,  and  request  general  information,  about
automobile insurance.
  (b) The requirements set forth in subsection (a) of this  section  may
be satisfied by separate or supplemental publications and updates.
  (c)  The  superintendent  shall  post the consumer guide on automobile
insurance on the department's website.