Insurance Claim Denied in New York? What Insurers Must Do Under N.Y. Ins. Law § 2601 & 11 NYCRR § 216.6 (Regulation 64)

4 Things Insurance Companies Are Legally Required to Do in New York (When You Clearly Prove Your Claim)

• 1. Cite the Exact Policy Provision in Writing: Under N.Y. Ins. Law § 2601 & 11 NYCRR § 216.6 (Regulation 64), an adjuster cannot deny your claim with a vague excuse ("normal wear and tear" or "not covered"). They are required by law to provide a written denial specifying the exact policy exclusion and factual basis.
• 2. Obey the Mandatory Statutory Clock (15 Business Days to Acknowledge; 15 Business Days to Accept or Deny After Proof of Loss): Insurers cannot use endless "under review" delays to starve you into accepting a lowball offer. Missing statutory investigation deadlines after you submit a Sworn Proof of Loss is direct evidence of unfair claim settlement practices.
• 3. Never Lowball When Liability & Damages Are Reasonably Clear: Failing to attempt in good faith to effectuate a prompt, fair, and equitable settlement once your independent contractor estimates, moisture logs, OBD2 scans, or dashcam video prove liability violates New York law.
• 4. Pay Statutory Penalties & Attorney's Fees for Bad Faith (Bi-Economy Market v. Harleysville Consequential Damages Beyond Policy Limits + GBL § 349 Relief): When you build an unarguable paper trail via Certified Mail Return Receipt and preserve every inspection in a Fireproof Exhibit Binder, New York law provides powerful statutory leverage to recover your full benefit plus statutory penalties or fees.