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Bill

S 9349

Provides a reduction in insurance premium charges for insured volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jeremy Zellner

Voluntary motor vehicle insurance premiums for insured volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel may be reduced for three years after completing a DMV-recognized EVOC course.

ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1404
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 9349

Overview

Bill S. 9349 (2025-2026, New York) would create a temporary reduction in motor vehicle insurance premium charges for insured volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel. The reduction would last three years after the individual successfully completes the Emergency Vehicle Operator's Course (EVOC) as part of their training. The provision applies to actuarially appropriate rate reductions for motor vehicle liability and collision insurance, with specific limitations regarding certain types of courses.

Purpose and intent

  • Encourage and recognize volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel by reducing their insurance costs for a three-year period following EVOC completion.
  • Link premium relief to formal, classroom-based EVOC training, rather than self-instruction or courses lacking mandated instructional hours.
  • Provide insurers a framework to offer actuarially sound (cost-justified) premium reductions for this qualified group.

Key provisions

  • Amends Insurance Law, section 2336, to add a new paragraph (3) authorized for rate reduction:
    • Insurance carriers operating motor vehicle liability and collision insurance may provide an actuarially appropriate reduction in premiums for insured volunteer firefighters or emergency personnel.
    • The reduction duration is three years after successfully completing the EVOC as part of their training.
    • The reduction must exclude premium relief for self-instruction defensive driving courses or any course that does not include a minimum number of classroom instructional hours as determined by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
  • The same new paragraph (3) is added to:
    • Subsection (a) of section 2336 (existing framework for rating plans).
  • Effective date:
    • The act takes effect immediately.
    • The amendments to subsection (a) of section 2336 are subject to the sunset/reversion provisions tied to Chapter 751 of the laws of 2005; when those provisions expire, the EVOC-based reduction provisions would also take effect (per the cross-reference language in the bill).

Who would be affected

  • Eligible individuals: insured volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel who have completed the EVOC as part of their training.
  • Insurers: motor vehicle liability and collision insurers that issue policies with rates or rating plans for these individuals may implement the EVOC-related premium reductions on an actuarially justified basis.

Substantive impact

  • Creates a new optional rider for insurers to offer reduced premiums to a defined public safety workforce segment.
  • Establishes a clear condition tying relief to a formal, DMV-recognized EVOC course with required classroom hours, thereby preventing abuse via self-instruction.
  • Sets a three-year duration for the reduction, after EVOC completion.
  • Leaves the amount and specifics of the reduction to insurer actuarial analysis within the new statutory allowance.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Enactment: Immediate effect upon enactment; however, related amendments to the statute are tied to existing sunset provisions in the law (Chapter 751, 2005), meaning certain transition timing safeguards may apply.
  • Legislative path: Introduced in Senate; referred to the Insurance Committee; committee discharge and passage steps occurred in May 2026.
  • No direct funding or budget appropriation is specified; the provision contemplates actuarially appropriate (rate-justified) reductions rather than a fixed dollar amount.

Practical considerations

  • For policyholders: potential savings on premiums during the three-year period after EVOC completion, contingent on insurer adoption of the EVOC-based reduction.
  • For insurers: need to establish procedures to verify EVOC completion, classroom hours, and compliance with DMV standards; must ensure reductions are actuarially justified.
  • For stakeholders: aligns insurance affordability with formal protective training for volunteers, potentially supporting recruitment and retention in volunteer public safety roles.

If you’d like, I can summarize potential industry impact or provide a side-by-side comparison with existing premium reduction programs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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