Case Name: In the Matter of the Liquidation of Union Indemnity Insurance Company of New York. Superintendent of Insurance of the State of New York, as Liquidator, Appellant; James Heary, Respondent
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1995-09-07
Citations: 219 A.D.2d 468
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of the Liquidation of Union Indemnity Insurance Company of New York. Superintendent of Insurance of the State of New York, as Liquidator, Appellant; James Heary, Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 219
Pages: 468–469

Head Matter:
In the Matter of the Liquidation of Union Indemnity Insurance Company of New York. Superintendent of Insurance of the State of New York, as Liquidator, Appellant; James Heary, Respondent.
[631 NYS2d 39]

Opinion:
Order, Supreme Court, New York County (Ira Gammerman, J.), entered April 5, 1994, which, in a liquidation proceeding under Insurance Law article 74, inter alia, rejected the Superintendent's disallowance of the subject claim as untimely filed, and directed that the claim be given preferred status, unanimously affirmed, without costs or disbursements.
Prior to November 28, 1986, the extended deadline by which the insured was required to file a proof of claim, the liquidator received the summons and verified complaint and retained a law firm to defend the insured and the law firm served an answer. We agree with the Referee's determination, confirmed by the IAS Court, that the verified complaint constitutes substantial compliance with the requirements of Insurance Law § 7433 (a) (1) and that the claim should be deemed timely filed. This case is distinguishable from Jason v Superintendent of Ins. of State of N. Y. (49 NY2d 716). While in neither case did the insured file timely proof of claim, here the insurer received the substantial equivalent of a proof of claim prior to the insured's extended deadline for filing. Concur — Sullivan, J. P., Rosenberger, Kupferman, Ross and Williams, JJ.