New York Notice for Victims of Domestic Violence

New York State Insurance Law § 2612 requires insurance companies to safeguard the confidentiality of any victim of domestic violence and any child residing with the victim, as well as the identity and confidential information of their covered provider. To initiate these safeguards, an insurance company must receive either a valid Order of Protection or a request to designate an alternative mailing address, phone number, or contact method for receiving claim-related information if the individual states that disclosure of all or part of the claim-related information could endanger the person. Once an insurance company receives notification, it is prohibited from:

  • Disclosing personal information for the duration of the order of protection or until the request designating the alternative mailing address/phone number/other contact method is canceled by the requesting person in writing; or

  • Mailing, delivering, or otherwise providing claim-related information to any mailing address, phone number, or another method of contact other than as designated by the requesting person.

Protected information includes all claim or billing information relating specifically to the victim and anyone covered by the insurance policy issued by an insurer (other than a health insurer), including their name, address, phone number, or another method of contact for the insured or for any person/entity providing covered services to the insured, any personally identifying information of the insured, or the nature of the covered services provided to the insured.

Additionally, it prohibits insurance companies from discriminating against anyone who is a victim of domestic violence by:

  • Refusing to issue or renew, deny or cancel any insurance policy or contract;

  • Demanding or requiring a greater premium or payment from any person;

  • Designating domestic violence as a preexisting condition, for which coverage will be denied or reduced; and

  • Using as an underwriting criterion the fact that a person is or has been a victim of domestic violence.

If you are a policyholder, claimant, or their legal representative, and want to notify us of your domestic violence protective order or request to designate an alternative mailing address, phone number, or contact method to receive claim-related information, contact our Corporate Communications Department in writing using one of the options below. Please include an alternate address, telephone number, and/or other reasonable contact methods in the request. In addition, please include a statement that disclosure of all or part of the claim-related information to which the request pertains could endanger you (or your client) or your child.

Email:
privacy@njm.com

Fax:
(609) 493-1109

Mail:
NJM Insurance Group
Attn: Corporate Communications Department
301 Sullivan Way
West Trenton, NJ 08628

For additional assistance, contact the New York State Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline at 1-800-942-6906 (English and Español/Multi-language accessibility). In NYC: call 1-800-621-HOPE (4673) or dial 311. TDD: 1-800-810-7444.