Implementation of the Ninth Amendment to Reg No. 68 (Optional Arbitration Procedures under Sec. 5106 of the Ins. Law with respect to personal injuries sustained on and after 12/1/1977); designation of insurer and self insurer representative.

February 16, 1978 SUBJECT: INSURANCE WITHDRAWN Circular Letter NO. 6 FEBRUARY 16, 1978 To: ALL AUTOMOBILE SELF-INSURERS AND INSURERS WRITING AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE IN THIS STATE RE: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NINTH AMENDMENT TO REGULATION NO. 68 (OPTIONAL ARBITRATION PROCEDURES UNDER SECTION 675(2) OF THE INSURANCE LAW WITH RESPECT TO PERSONAL INJURIES SUSTAINED ON AND AFTER DECEMBER 1, 1977); DESIGNATION OF INSURER AND SELF-INSURER REPRESENTATIVES. In order to effectively implement the Insurance Department's role in the resolution of no-fault disputes as provided for in Section 65.16 of Regulation No. 68, each insurer and self-insurer is directed to designate a responsible staff member whom the Department can contact to determine whether the no-fault dispute for which arbitration has been requested can be resolved without the need for arbitration. Since the Department staff will attempt to resolve disputes by telephone, the insurer's or self-insurer's representative must have the authority to bind the insurer or self-insurer to any agreement reached over the telephone. A representative shall be designated for each claims office used by the insurer or self-insurer to handle New York no-fault claims. The Department and the insurer or self-insurer will establish an identification procedure to authenticate the identity of Department staff members. The names, addresses and telephone numbers of these representatives shall be submitted in writing no later than March 15, 1978 to: Sandra Siegel Associate Insurance Examiner New York State Insurance Department Property & Casualty Insurance Bureau 2 World Trade Center New York, New York 10047 Very truly yours, [SIGNATURE] Albert B. Lewis Superintendent of Insurance