A new bill introduced in the New York State Senate would authorize insurance premium reductions for homeowners who complete certified residential safety and loss prevention courses.
Senate Bill 7827, introduced on May 9, 2025, by Sen. Scarcella-Spanton, proposes amendments to the state’s insurance law that would compel insurers to apply an actuarially appropriate discount on fire and homeowners insurance premiums for a three-year period following the successful completion of a certified course.
The bill adds a new subsection (6) to Section 2346 of the insurance law, requiring the superintendent of financial services to implement the premium reductions. A new Section 2346-b is also proposed, setting out the criteria for course certification in collaboration with the Office of Fire Prevention and Control and potentially other relevant state entities.
Under the proposal, a “residential home safety and loss prevention course” is defined as a program that offers instruction on minimizing personal injuries and property losses from fire, theft, burglary, accidents, and weather-related events, including hurricanes, ice storms, and tornadoes.
To qualify, courses must:
Course sponsors—defined as any individual, company, or organization offering such classes—must apply for certification and are subject to ongoing oversight. The DFS is also authorized to adjust or revoke discounts if they are found to be actuarially inappropriate or if courses fail to meet standards.
Additionally, the bill mandates a formal report on the law’s effectiveness in reducing homeowners insurance claims. The DFS superintendent must deliver this report to state leadership at least 180 days before the law expires, which is set at five years after its effective date.
The act is scheduled to take effect 180 days after becoming law, with immediate authorization for rulemaking prior to that date.
