Key Takeaway
AIG's failure to properly handle no-fault claim denials highlights insurance company obligations under New York's strict 30-day statutory period requirements.
This article is part of our ongoing additional verification coverage, with 92 published articles analyzing additional verification issues across New York State. Attorney Jason Tenenbaum brings 24+ years of hands-on experience to this analysis, drawing from his work on more than 1,000 appeals, over 100,000 no-fault cases, and recovery of over $100 million for clients throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx. For personalized legal advice about how these principles apply to your specific situation, contact our Long Island office at (516) 750-0595 for a free consultation.
This case from the New York Appellate Division demonstrates a fundamental principle in New York no-fault insurance law: insurance companies must follow strict procedural requirements when denying claims. The decision in NYU-Hospital for Joint Diseases v American International Group reveals how even major insurers can stumble on basic statutory obligations, particularly regarding the critical 30-day denial period.
Under New York’s no-fault system, insurers have specific timeframes to either pay or properly deny claims. When they fail to meet these deadlines, they risk losing their right to deny payment altogether. This case illustrates the consequences when insurers attempt to buy time with vague delay letters rather than following proper additional verification procedures.
Jason Tenenbaum’s Analysis:
NYU-Hospital for Joint Diseases v American Intl. Group, Inc., 2011 NY Slip Op 04437
“In opposition, the insurer failed to raise a triable issue of fact as to whether it had timely denied the claim. Contrary to the insurer’s contention, its letter to the hospital stating that payment of the claim was delayed “pending adjuster’s review” and “investigation” did not serve to toll the 30-day statutory period (see Westchester Med. Ctr. v Lincoln Gen. Ins. Co., 60 AD3d at 1046; Nyack Hosp. v Encompass Ins. Co., 23 AD3d 535, 536), and, in any event, was not a timely request for verification made within 10 business days after the insurer’s receipt of the hospital’s claim (see 11 NYCRR 65-3.5)”
Okay – why didn’t AIG just pay this before it ended up at the appellate level? One better – what the heck was AIG cross-appealing? As a taxpayer, I should have standing to protest decisions like these.
Key Takeaway
AIG’s generic delay letter failed to stop the 30-day statutory clock because it wasn’t a proper denial or timely verification request. This case reinforces that insurers cannot use vague “investigation pending” language to circumvent strict no-fault deadlines, demonstrating why understanding verification requirements is crucial for both providers and insurers.
Legal Update (February 2026): Since this 2011 post, New York no-fault insurance regulations under 11 NYCRR 65-3, particularly section 65-3.5 governing denial procedures and timeframes, may have been amended or updated. The specific requirements for additional verification requests and the 30-day denial period provisions cited in this analysis should be verified against current regulatory text, as procedural requirements and insurer obligations may have evolved. Practitioners should consult the most recent version of 11 NYCRR 65-3 to ensure compliance with current denial and verification procedures.
Related Articles
Legal Context
Why This Matters for Your Case
New York law is among the most complex and nuanced in the country, with distinct procedural rules, substantive doctrines, and court systems that differ significantly from other jurisdictions. The Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) governs every stage of civil litigation, from service of process through trial and appeal. The Appellate Division, Appellate Term, and Court of Appeals create a rich and ever-evolving body of case law that practitioners must follow.
Attorney Jason Tenenbaum has practiced across these areas for over 24 years, writing more than 1,000 appellate briefs and publishing over 2,353 legal articles that attorneys and clients rely on for guidance. The analysis in this article reflects real courtroom experience — from motion practice in Civil Court and Supreme Court to oral arguments before the Appellate Division — and a deep understanding of how New York courts actually apply the law in practice.
About This Topic
Additional Verification in No-Fault Claims
Under New York's no-fault regulations, insurers may request additional verification of a claim within specified time limits. The timeliness, scope, and reasonableness of verification requests — and the consequences of a claimant's failure to respond — are among the most litigated issues in no-fault practice. These articles examine the regulatory framework for verification requests, court decisions on compliance, and the interplay between verification delays and claim determination deadlines.
92 published articles in Additional Verification
Keep Reading
More Additional Verification Analysis
No Denial Required When Provider Fails to Respond to Verification Within 120 Days
Appellate Division holds insurers need not issue a denial when a medical provider or injured person fails to respond to verification demands within 120 days. Analysis of Chapa...
Feb 25, 2026120-day rule and Fee Schedule
New York court ruling demonstrates how healthcare providers can lose no-fault claims due to verification failures and fee schedule violations in insurance disputes.
Feb 1, 2020Additional Verification
New York court ruling clarifies that insurance delay letters must request specific verification to toll statutory payment deadlines, raising questions about required detail levels.
Apr 5, 2013Procedural Fairness in No-Fault Insurance Litigation: Is It Fair? | Long Island & NYC Legal Analysis
Expert analysis of procedural fairness issues in no-fault insurance litigation. Call (516) 750-0595 for experienced legal representation in Long Island and NYC.
Mar 26, 2010Verification issues
Analysis of Atlantic Radiology v Travelers case addressing verification request failures and timing issues in NY no-fault insurance claims litigation.
Jan 19, 2018EUO & IME no show
Court denies plaintiff's motion in no-fault case due to failed verification compliance and assignor's failure to appear for required IMEs and EUOs.
Oct 6, 2015Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is additional verification in no-fault insurance?
Additional verification is a request by the insurer for more information to process a no-fault claim, authorized under 11 NYCRR §65-3.5. When the insurer sends a verification request, the 30-day clock for claim processing is tolled (paused) until the requested information is received. This is a common insurer tactic to delay payment — but the verification request must be timely and relevant to be valid.
How long does an insurer have to request additional verification?
Under the no-fault regulations, the insurer must request initial verification within 15 business days of receiving the claim. Follow-up verification requests must be made within 10 business days of receiving a response to the prior request. If the insurer fails to meet these deadlines, the verification request is invalid and cannot be used to toll the claim processing period.
What types of additional verification can a no-fault insurer request?
Under 11 NYCRR §65-3.5, insurers may request medical records, provider licensing documentation, proof of treatment rendered, tax returns or financial records (in certain fraud investigations), authorization for release of medical records, and signed NF-3 verification forms. The verification request must be relevant to the claim and not overly burdensome. Requests for information not reasonably related to claim processing may be challenged as improper.
What happens if I don't respond to a no-fault verification request?
Failure to respond to a timely and proper verification request can result in denial of your no-fault claim. Under 11 NYCRR §65-3.5(o), if the requested verification is not provided within 120 calendar days of the initial request, the claim is deemed denied. The 120-day period runs from the date of the original request. However, if the verification request itself was untimely or improper, the denial based on non-response may be challenged.
Was this article helpful?
About the Author
Jason Tenenbaum, Esq.
Jason Tenenbaum is the founding attorney of the Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, P.C., headquartered at 326 Walt Whitman Road, Suite C, Huntington Station, New York 11746. With over 24 years of experience since founding the firm in 2002, Jason has written more than 1,000 appeals, handled over 100,000 no-fault insurance cases, and recovered over $100 million for clients across Long Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. He is one of the few attorneys in the state who both writes his own appellate briefs and tries his own cases.
Jason is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Georgia, and Michigan state courts, as well as multiple federal courts. His 2,353+ published legal articles analyzing New York case law, procedural developments, and litigation strategy make him one of the most prolific legal commentators in the state. He earned his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law.
Disclaimer: This article is published by the Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, P.C. for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this content. The legal principles discussed may not apply to your specific situation, and the law may have changed since this article was last updated.
New York law varies by jurisdiction — court decisions in one Appellate Division department may not be followed in another, and local court rules in Nassau County Supreme Court differ from those in Suffolk County Supreme Court, Kings County Civil Court, or Queens County Supreme Court. The Appellate Division, Second Department (which covers Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island) and the Appellate Term (which hears appeals from lower courts) each have distinct procedural requirements and precedents that affect litigation strategy.
If you need legal help with a additional verification matter, contact our office at (516) 750-0595 for a free consultation. We serve clients throughout Long Island (Huntington, Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven, Smithtown, Riverhead, Southampton, East Hampton), Nassau County (Hempstead, Garden City, Mineola, Great Neck, Manhasset, Freeport, Long Beach, Rockville Centre, Valley Stream, Westbury, Hicksville, Massapequa), Suffolk County (Hauppauge, Deer Park, Bay Shore, Central Islip, Patchogue, Brentwood), Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Westchester County. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.