New York To Insurers: Drop Death Certificate Requirement
Wednesday, September 26th, 2001 Catastrophe Life & HealthThe New York Insurance Department said it has advised all insurers, in the interest of speeding payments to the kin of victims from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, to accept affidavits in lieu of death certificates. Insurance Superintendent Gregory V. Serio, in Circular Letter No. 28 to carriers, noted that, "The tremendous loss of life on September 11th, and the difficult circumstances surrounding such loss, are likely to result in a delay in the ability to obtain death certificates. "Normally, Insurers rely on a death certificate when processing claims. Under the present circumstances, however, it is clear that a more expeditious method of certification of death must be developed in order to streamline the payment of needed benefits to family members and other designated beneficiaries."
