State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > New-york > Isc > Article-3 > 337§ 337. Annual consumer guide on automobile insurance. (a) No later than October first of each year, beginning in nineteen hundred ninety-three, the superintendent shall publish and make available, free of charge to the public, a consumer guide on private passenger automobile insurance that shall contain comprehensive and updated 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) representative information on the availability and costs of automobile insurance from insurers for rating territories in the state, for classes of drivers, including information on premium credit and surcharge practices; (6) recommendations as to how best to shop for and compare prices, service and quality of automobile insurance coverage; (7) an explanation of prohibited discriminatory practices applying to insurance companies, agents and brokers; and (8) a department toll free consumer hot-line through which consumers may initiate complaints, and request general information, about automobile insurance. (b) The annual requirements set forth in subsection (a) of this section may be satisfied by separate or supplemental publications and updates. (c) The superintendent shall provide for the adequate distribution and availability of the consumer guide on automobile insurance. Appropriate copies of the guide shall be transmitted to the commissioner of motor vehicles for distribution at every department of motor vehicle local and district office in the state and to the commissioner of education for distribution to every public library in the state, where copies of the guide shall be made available free of charge to the public.
