Opinion
2014-02-4
In re Gaoussou KANE, Petitioner–Respondent, v. FIDUCIARY INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA, Respondent–Appellant.
Brand, Glick & Brand, P.C., Garden City (Peter M. Khrinenko of counsel), for appellant. Budin, Reisman, Kupferberg & Bernstein, LLP, New York (Harlan S. Budin of counsel), for respondent.
Brand, Glick & Brand, P.C., Garden City (Peter M. Khrinenko of counsel), for appellant. Budin, Reisman, Kupferberg & Bernstein, LLP, New York (Harlan S. Budin of counsel), for respondent.
FRIEDMAN, J.P., ACOSTA, RENWICK, MANZANET–DANIELS, GISCHE, JJ.
Order, Supreme Court, New York County (Carol E. Huff, J.), entered April 30, 2012, which granted the petition to vacate the arbitration awards, and remanded the matter for a new arbitration before a new arbitrator, unanimously reversed, on the law, without costs, and the arbitration awards reinstated.
The arbitral awards, rendered in compulsory arbitration, were not irrational or contrary to settled law, and therefore should have been confirmed. Respondent insurer's disclaimer, based strictly upon primacy of coverage, was not so absolute or unequivocal as to constitute a repudiation of the policy ( see Seward Park Hous. Corp. v. Greater N.Y. Mut. Ins. Co., 43 A.D.3d 23, 30, 836 N.Y.S.2d 99 [1st Dept.2007] ). The arbitrators were therefore correct that petitioner was required, but failed, to comply with the conditions precedent to coverage found in the implementing no-fault regulations. He did not submit timely written proof of claim to the insurer, including the particulars regarding the nature and extent of the injuries and treatment received and contemplated (11 NYCRR 65–1.1, 65–24[c] ).
We have considered the parties' remaining arguments and find them unavailing.