PIA-supported legislation (A.2811) that would repeal the antiquated anti-arson application in New York City, successfully passed the state Assembly Insurance Committee on March 1, without opposition (23-0).
The current anti-arson law
In the late 1970s, insurance fraud (as a result of arson activity) was on the rise in some major cities. This prompted the state Legislature to create a law that requires insureds to complete an anti-arson application if they want their property to be covered from damage caused by fire or explosion.
Under the law, completing the anti-arson application is mandatory for all property insurance policies. It must be completed annually and failure to complete the application results in the cancellation of the underlying insurance policy.
What this bill would do
If this bill was to become law the anti-arson application would no longer be required to be completed in New York City (or anywhere else in New York state). Relieving policyholders and agents from a major administrative headache. PIA would like to thank Assemblyman Daniel Rosenthal, D-27, the sponsor of this legislation, for his continued leadership on this issue.
Learn more about anti-arson issue and the legislation.
Get involved
If you want to get involved with PIANY’s legislative and advocacy work, there are many ways to engage with the association:
- participate in PIANY’s District Office Visit Program;
- become a member of Agents Advocacy Coalition; and
- watch your PIA Northeast publications and PIA Northeast’s social-media channels for important New York updates, and share them with your followers.
Bradford J. Lachut, Esq.
Bradford J. Lachut, Esq., joined PIA as government affairs counsel for the Government & Industry Affairs Department in 2012 and then, after a four-month leave, he returned to the association in 2018 as director of government & industry affairs responsible for all legal, government relations and insurance industry liaison programs for the five state associations. Prior to PIA, Brad worked as an attorney for Steven J. Baum PC, in Amherst, and as an associate attorney for the law office of James Morris in Buffalo. He also spent time serving as senior manager of government affairs as the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, a chamber of commerce serving the Buffalo, N.Y., region, his hometown. He received his juris doctorate from Buffalo Law School and his Bachelor of Science degree in Government and Politics from Utica College, Utica, N.Y. Brad is an active Mason and Shriner.
