Source: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/S438
Timestamp: 2019-06-25 10:30:54
Document Index: 789843195

Matched Legal Cases: ['§2336', '§5110', '§301', '§322', '§4549', '§60', '§ 2', '§ 5110', '§ 3', '§  4', '§ 322', '§ 5', '§  6', '§  4549', '§ 7', '§ 60', '§  8']

NY State Senate Bill S438
senate Bill S438
Provides for a 5% automobile insurance premium reduction for non-commercial passenger motor vehicles equipped with an operating dashboard camera
Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Insurance Committee
Get Status Alerts for S438
Jan 03, 2018 referred to insurance
Jan 04, 2017 referred to insurance
S438 (ACTIVE) - Details
A2629
Amd §2336, add §5110, Ins L; amd §§301 & 375, add §322, V & T L; add §4549, CPLR; add §60.80, CP L
2015-2016: S6785, A10392
2019-2020: A5132
S438 (ACTIVE) - Summary
Provides for a 5% automobile insurance premium reduction for non-commercial passenger motor vehicles equipped with an operating dashboard camera; establishes means for certification of the installation of such camera; establishes civil penalties for false certification of such installation; provides for insurer review during claims settlement of the images from dashboard cameras… (view more) provides for the certification of the installation of operating dashboard cameras during the annual motor vehicle inspection; directs the commissioner of motor vehicles to establish standards for dashboard cameras; and provides for the introduction as evidence of dashboard camera images into evidence in civil and criminal proceedings.
S438 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER:  S438
An act to amend the insurance law, the vehicle and traffic law, the
civil practice law and rules, and the criminal procedure law, in
relation to dashboard cameras
Provides for a 5% automobile insurance premium reduction for
non-commercial vehicles equipped with an operating dashboard camera
Section 1 adds a new subsection (i) to Section 2236 of the Insurance
Law, for the purposes of establishing a discount of five percent off
of the base rates of automobile liability insurance. when a customer
has installed a dashboard camera in their motor vehicle. Subsection
(ii) provides for civil penalties that may be waged by the insurer in
the case of false certifications made by customers claiming this
Section 2 amends the Insurance Law by adding a new Section 5110, for
the purposes of requiring an insurer to review dashboard camera
footage following the receipt of a claim. The section makes clear that
dashboard camera images are not to be deemed dispositive of a claim,
and are to be viewed in the totality of the circumstances involved.
Section 3 amends Subdivision (c) of Section 301 of the Vehicle and
Traffic Law by adding a new paragraph 4, which sets forth new
inspection standards that allow the presence of a dashboard camera to
be reported during the course of a driver's routine emissions testing.
Section 4 amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding a new Section
322 that sets forth a procedure through which an insurer may request
records pertaining to the installation of dashboard cameras from the
Department of Motor Vehicles, in order to assess the viability of an
insured's request for, or maintenance of the 5% premium discount.
Section 5 amends Section 375 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law by adding
a new Subsection 52, which allows the Commissioner of the Department
of Motor Vehicles the ability to promulgate rules and regulations
pertaining to the safe use of dashboard cameras, including the size
and location these devices within motor vehicles.
Section 6 amends the C.P.L.R. by adding a new Section 4549, which
permits the admissibility of dashboard camera images as proof of the
occurrence or event depicted in such images, in civil legal
60.80, which permits the admissibility of dashboard cameras as proof
of the occurrence or event depicted in such images, in criminal legal
Section 8 sets forth the effective date of the law.
New York has a long history of promoting motor vehicle safety by
offering mandatory discounts on drivers' car insurance, including
rates that take into effect automatic safety belts, airbags, and most
recently. the completion of a defensive driving course. As technology
continues to progress, growing evidence has supported the value of
dashboard cameras installed in cars, and other motor vehicles. In
fact, several European nations have already begun instituting
discounts on car insurance rates for drivers that take advantage of
Though New York is a 'no-fault jurisdiction' for the purposes of
typical accidents involving motor vehicles, it remains the ease that
civil litigation often occurs in the Context of "serious injuries," as
well as hit-and-run collisions. Beyond damage to property, hit and run
accidents cause serious injuries and often times, result in pedestrian
fatalities. Though on the decline, 131 pedestrian deaths resulted from
traffic accidents in 2014. There is good reason to believe that
dashboard cameras could play an important role in solving these
crimes; while investigators may not be able to retrieve a suspect's
camera, it is entirely possible that these incidents could be caught
on tape by other vehicles that are nearby.
Additionally, reports indicate a rise in insurance fraud schemes that
involve reckless driving by motorists. Dashboard cameras not only
provide protection to drivers in such cases where evidence could
demonstrate their lack of liability, but these cameras may also play
an important role in enriching criminal prosecutions for
2015-2016-S6785A
date on which it shall have become a law and shall apply to all
policies issued, renewed, modified, altered or amended on or after
such date. Provided, however, that. effective immediately, any and all
rules and regulations and any other measures necessary to implement
the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and
S438 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
AN ACT to amend the insurance law, the  vehicle  and  traffic  law,  the
civil  practice  law  and  rules,  and  the criminal procedure law, in
Section  1.  Section  2336 of the insurance law is amended by adding a
new subsection (i) to read as follows:
(I) (1) ANY SCHEDULE OR RATING PLAN FOR NON-COMMERCIAL PRIVATE PASSEN-
GER INSURANCE SHALL PROVIDE FOR A  FIVE  PERCENT  REDUCTION  IN  PREMIUM
CHARGES FOR BODILY INJURY LIABILITY, PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY, PERSONAL
INJURY  PROTECTION, MEDICAL PAYMENTS AND COLLISION COVERAGE WITH RESPECT
TO AUTOMOBILES EQUIPPED WITH AN OPERATING DASHBOARD CAMERA THAT COMPLIES
WITH THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  MOTOR  VEHICLES
PROMULGATED  PURSUANT  TO SUBDIVISION FIFTY-TWO OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED
SEVENTY-FIVE OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW.  EACH INSURER MAY ESTABLISH
SUCH REQUIREMENTS AS IT SHALL DEEM NECESSARY FOR THE SUBMISSION OF PROOF
AND CERTIFICATION THAT SUCH A DASHBOARD CAMERA HAS BEEN INSTALLED IN THE
INSURED AUTOMOBILE AND THAT SUCH CAMERA IS IN OPERATING  CONDITION.  THE
SUPERINTENDENT  SHALL,  IN  CONSULTATION  WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF MOTOR
VEHICLES, PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS.
(2) IN ANY INSTANCE IN WHICH  AN  INSURED  IS  RECEIVING  THE  PREMIUM
REDUCTION  PROVIDED  IN PARAGRAPH ONE OF THIS SUBSECTION AND THE INSURED
HAS FALSELY CERTIFIED THAT HIS OR HER AUTOMOBILE  IS  EQUIPPED  WITH  AN
OPERATING DASHBOARD CAMERA OR THE DASHBOARD CAMERA IS NO LONGER IN OPER-
ATING  CONDITION WHILE THE AUTOMOBILE IS BEING OPERATED, THE INSURER MAY
IMPOSE A CIVIL PENALTY UPON SUCH INSURED EQUAL TO THE PREMIUM  REDUCTION
GRANTED  FOR  THE  DASHBOARD  CAMERA FOR ONE YEAR OR FOR THE PERIOD SUCH
REDUCTION WAS WRONGFULLY GRANTED, WHICHEVER SHALL BE  SHORTER.  FURTHER-
LBD00141-01-7
S. 438                              2
MORE,  AN  INSURER  MAY  THEREAFTER  DENY  THE PROVISION OF SUCH PREMIUM
REDUCTION REGARDLESS OF WHETHER A SUITABLE DASHBOARD CAMERA IS INSTALLED
IN THE AUTOMOBILE IN THE FUTURE.
(3)  EVERY INSURER SHALL INCLUDE IN EACH CERTIFICATION COMPLETED BY AN
INSURED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION, A STATEMENT OF  THE  IMPOSITION  OF
THE  CIVIL PENALTY AUTHORIZED BY PARAGRAPH TWO OF THIS SUBSECTION IN THE
EVENT SUCH CERTIFICATION IS FALSE. IN ADDITION EACH  SUCH  CERTIFICATION
SHALL  INFORM  THE  INSURED OF HIS OR HER DUTY TO MAINTAIN THE DASHBOARD
CAMERA IN WORKING CONDITION AT ALL TIMES.
§ 2. The insurance law is amended by adding a new section 5110 to read
§ 5110. REVIEW OF DASHBOARD CAMERA IMAGES. (A) EVERY  INSURER  IN  THE
SETTLEMENT  OF  ANY  CLAIM  INVOLVING A MOTOR VEHICLE OR MOTOR VEHICLES,
SHALL REVIEW ANY AVAILABLE IMAGES FROM A DASHBOARD CAMERA  OR  DASHBOARD
CAMERAS  INSTALLED  IN  ANY OF THE VEHICLES TO WHICH SUCH CLAIM RELATES.
THEREAFTER, EACH SUCH INSURER SHALL SUBMIT CERTIFICATION OF SUCH  REVIEW
(B)  THE  IMAGES  FROM A DASHBOARD CAMERA SHALL BE CONSIDERED BASED ON
THE TOTALITY OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF A CLAIM, AND SUCH IMAGES SHALL  NOT
BE  DEEMED  TO  BE  DISPOSITIVE,  BUT  SHALL  BE CONSIDERED AS ANY OTHER
EVIDENCE RELATING TO A CLAIM.
§ 3. Subdivision (c) of section 301 of the vehicle and traffic law  is
amended by adding a new paragraph 4 to read as follows:
(4)(I)  DURING  THE  COURSE  OF  EACH  SAFETY  INSPECTION, A CERTIFIED
INSPECTOR SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER A DASHBOARD CAMERA IS INSTALLED IN THE
MOTOR VEHICLE. IN THE EVENT THAT SUCH A CAMERA IS INSTALLED IN  A  MOTOR
VEHICLE, HE OR SHE SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER THE DASHBOARD CAMERA COMPLIES
WITH  THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER PROMULGATED PURSUANT
TO SUBDIVISION FIFTY-TWO OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE  OF  THIS
TITLE  AND WHETHER SUCH CAMERA IS IN OPERATING CONDITION WHILE THE MOTOR
VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED.
(II) IN THE EVENT A MOTOR VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE  A  DASHBOARD  CAMERA,
HAS  A  CAMERA WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE RULES OF THE COMMISSIONER,
OR SUCH CAMERA IS NOT IN OPERATING CONDITION,  THE  CERTIFIED  INSPECTOR
SHALL  INCLUDE A NOTATION, THAT THE MOTOR VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE AN OPER-
ATING DASHBOARD CAMERA, UPON THE CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION  PROVIDED  TO
THE OWNER AND THE DEPARTMENT.
(III)  IN THE EVENT A MOTOR VEHICLE HAS AN OPERATING DASHBOARD CAMERA,
WHICH COMPLIES WITH THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE  COMMISSIONER,  THE
CERTIFIED INSPECTOR SHALL ISSUE A CERTIFICATION THEREOF TO THE OWNER AND
§  4.  The  vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section
322 to read as follows:
§ 322. DASHBOARD CAMERA RECORDS. UPON THE REQUEST OF ANY INSURER ISSU-
ING OWNER'S POLICIES OF  LIABILITY  INSURANCE,  THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL
FORWARD  TO  SUCH  INSURER A COPY OF ANY REPORT, RELATING TO A DASHBOARD
CAMERA INSTALLED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE INSURED BY THE  INSURER,  WHICH  THE
COMMISSIONER  POSSESSES PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH FOUR OF SUBDIVISION (C) OF
SECTION THREE HUNDRED ONE OF THIS TITLE.
§ 5. Section 375 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a
new subdivision 52 to read as follows:
52. DASHBOARD CAMERAS. THE COMMISSIONER  SHALL,  BY  RULES  AND  REGU-
LATIONS, ESTABLISH STANDARDS FOR THE SIZE, LOCATION AND USE OF DASHBOARD
CAMERAS  INSTALLED  IN  MOTOR  VEHICLES. THE COMMISSIONER MAY MAINTAIN A
LIST OF THOSE DASHBOARD CAMERAS APPROVED BY HIM OR HER AS CONFORMING  TO
THE SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED FOR SUCH CAMERAS.
S. 438                              3
§  6.  The  civil  practice  law  and rules is amended by adding a new
section 4549 to read as follows:
§  4549.  DASHBOARD  CAMERA  IMAGES. ANY IMAGE OR IMAGES PRODUCED BY A
DASHBOARD CAMERA SHALL BE ADMISSIBLE AS PROOF OF THE OCCURRENCE OR EVENT
DEPICTED IN SUCH IMAGE OR IMAGES.
§ 7. The criminal procedure law is amended by  adding  a  new  section
60.80 to read as follows:
§ 60.80 DASHBOARD CAMERA IMAGES.
ANY IMAGE OR IMAGES PRODUCED BY A DASHBOARD CAMERA SHALL BE ADMISSIBLE
AS PROOF OF THE OCCURRENCE OR EVENT DEPICTED IN SUCH IMAGE OR IMAGES.
§  8. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
ing the date on which it shall have become a law and section one of this
act shall apply to all policies issued, renewed,  modified,  altered  or
amended  on or after such date. Provided, however, that, effective imme-
diately, any and all rules and regulations and any other measures neces-
sary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective  date  are
authorized and directed to be completed on or before such date.