NYDFS: Insurers required to file disaster response, business continuity plans with the state

State Issues NYDFS Mortgage Insurance

On April 24, the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) announced updated guidance to New York-licensed insurers advising them of their obligations under New York’s Insurance Law and requiring entities to file disaster response plans and questionnaires by September 28, through two updated circular letters. The first updated circular letter—addressed to property/casualty insurance companies, including mortgage guaranty insurers, title insurers, and captive insurers—provides, among other things, that in addition to filing a disaster response and recovery plan, insurers must develop a business continuity plan and regularly perform a business impact analysis “to predict the consequences of disruption of a business function and process as a result of a disaster.” Additionally, the letter clarifies business impact analysis requirements and outlines areas to be addressed within an insurer’s business continuity plan. According to NYDFS, the updated requirements are issued “in light of disasters that may occur outside of New York, such as hurricanes, terrorist attacks, or cybersecurity breaches, which could affect an insurer’s ability to serve New York consumers.”