PIA-supported legislation (A.8831) that would repeal the outdated anti-arson application in New York City, was passed by the New York state Assembly (by a vote of 147-0) on March 25, 2024.
The current anti-arson law
In response to a surge in insurance fraud linked to arson during the late 1970s in several major cities across New York state, the state Legislature enacted a law to require that homeowners insurance policyholders complete an anti-arson application to obtain coverage against fire or explosion damage.
This application is a mandatory requirement for all property insurance contracts and must be submitted annually. Should policyholders fail to submit this application, their insurance policy will be terminated.
What this bill would do
Should this legislation be enacted, the obligation to submit an annual anti-arson application would be eliminated throughout New York state, including New York City.
This change would alleviate the significant administrative burden faced by homeowners and insurance agents of renewing the anti-arson application each year.
PIA would like to thank Assemblyman Sam Berger, D-27, for sponsoring this bill and 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.
Theophilus Alexander
Theophilus W. Alexander joined PIA Northeast as a government & industry affairs specialist for the Government & Industry Affairs Department in 2023. Prior to joining PIA, Theo had served in both houses of the New York State Legislature. Previously, he worked as a legislative analyst for Hon. New York State Sen. Samra G. Brouk, D-55, and he served at the New York State Assembly, as a policy analyst with New York Assembly Program & Counsel. Theo received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics from Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y.
