FAQs
NYMIR FAQs
A reciprocal insurance company is a licensed, regulated, NYS admitted carrier owned by its policyholders, who agree to insure one another. Reciprocals are very similar to mutual insurers, which are also companies owned by their customers, in that they share the concept that there is good in similar entities sharing practices and benefiting from each other’s experience. Reciprocals are also very different from stock insurers which are insurance companies owned by shareholders seeking profits from their investment.
New York State counties, towns, villages, cities, and district corporations (as defined in Section 2.00 of the New York State Local Finance Law) are eligible for the NYMIR program. NYMIR’s growth as a reciprocal insurer of local governments has made us the preeminent property and liability insurer for New York municipalities and the most successful example of intermunicipal cooperation in New York State.
Yes. As a not-for-profit insurer, one of the first decisions that the NYMIR Board of Governors had to make was whether to become an assessable insurer or to subscribe to the NY State Guaranty Fund (the state fund that comes into play only when an insurer becomes insolvent). There are pros and cons to both approaches. If NYMIR decided to join the NY State Guaranty Fund, they would have been required to pay into the fund each year. In addition, claims settled in the fund are limited to only one million dollars per policy, whereas NYMIR’s structure would make members whole at the time of a loss. Conversely, as an assessable company, NYMIR is only required to pay for NYMIR’s losses (not any other insurer’s) and only if NYMIR were to become insolvent.
NYMIR has been saving its subscribers millions of dollars for over 30 years by not contributing to the Guaranty Fund. More importantly, NYMIR has ensured that the company remains financially stable and enjoys a ratio of premium to surplus that virtually guarantees an assessment of its members would ever be necessary.
NYMIR has achieved an outstanding financial track record through its insistence upon the highest underwriting standards, a conservative investment program and sound loss reserve practices. NYMIR writes to the most conservative actuarial level coupled with a superior reinsurance program. These practices are reviewed by leading actuaries and auditors, and AM Best, the premier insurance rating agency, has recognized NYMIR’s efforts by assigning NYMIR an A-(Excellent) rating. This rating was reaffirmed once again in April 2025.
NYMIR’s policyholder surplus has consistently grown and has reached nearly $90 million. This surplus is in addition to reserves and reinsurance provided by A++ carriers. Reinsurance is an additional level of insurance protection that covers losses beyond an agreed upon amount. NYMIR retains only $300,000 on any given property loss and $1,000,000 on any one liability loss with reinsurance paying the remaining part of the loss, thereby protecting the reciprocal and our subscribers from the impact of large claims.
Member Services FAQs
Yes! There are no hidden fees or extra charges—just expert support when you need it.
Training to meet New York State requirements, including:
- Sexual Harassment Prevention
- Workplace Violence Prevention
- Cybersecurity Training
(Delivered by NYMIR’s in-house cyber specialist)
Members get 24/7 access to LEARN Online University, which includes:
- 24/7 access to LEARN Online University
- All required mandated training
- 400+ additional professional development courses
- In-Person Seminars
- Offered regionally throughout the year
- Cover a variety of current and emerging risk management topics including Highway Operations, Workzone Safety and Playground Recreation and Risk.
Yes! Expert guidance is available on a wide range of topics:
- Special event planning
- Municipal operations
- Vetted by a municipal risk management team
Yes! NYMIR provides a comprehensive library of sample policies:
- Tailored specifically to municipal needs
- Easy to customize for your operations
Absolutely! NYMIR will:
- Review contracts for proper indemnification and risk transfer
- Help reduce unnecessary liability and exposure
Contact NYMIR Member Services at 518-292-0061 or your Risk Management Specialist.
Loss Control FAQs
We help our insured identify and mitigate risk and reduce the likelihood of claims. We also research and provide guidance on implementing controls on municipal activities, events and other undertakings, supplying information on best practices.
In addition to NYMIR’s online LEARN platform, we organize regional seminars and workshops using subject matter experts to help municipalities control the risk in such areas as snow and ice removal, law enforcement practices, providing safe parks and playgrounds, and other operations typically vulnerable to claims. We also attend county-run safety days for the purpose of training highway and public works employees on a variety of topics such as Reasonable Suspicion for Supervisors and Distracted Driving.
We perform annual or bi-annual risk assessments, attend safety committee meetings, and are available for other on-site consultations such as the initial inspection before opening a new playground, skatepark or highway garage.
Your insurance broker is an important resource for guidance in securing policies that match the needs of your municipal operations and also provides an initial point of contact for general questions or concerns and can act as a knowledgeable liaison with your carrier. They can also assist in contract review to ensure appropriate risk transfer language. NYMIR’s Risk Management Department specializes in recognizing hazards and vulnerabilities in your operational landscape and recommending measures to reduce risk and the likelihood of claims. This also includes contract and risk transfer guidance and providing resource documents and guides applicable to municipal functions.
There is never a charge for any of the services provided.
Absolutely. We have a wealth of handbooks, guidance documents and forms to educate and guide you towards self-administered risk control practices. We are also happy to attend and help you form and maintain an effective safety committee for this purpose. We always welcome your inquiries and are eager to assist you in your efforts to control risk.
Helpful Resources
NYMIR Cyber FAQs
NYMIR’s cyber policy provides comprehensive coverage for a range of cyber-related incidents, including:
Data breaches and privacy violations: Protection against unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Ransomware attacks: Coverage for incidents where malicious software blocks access to data until a ransom is paid.
Social engineering and phishing scams: Protection against deceptive tactics used to manipulate individuals into divulging confidential information.
To get a cyber insurance quote, please complete either the NYMIR Cyber New Business Application or the NYMIR Cyber Renewal Application.
Municipalities with NYMIR cyber coverage gain access to a suite of complimentary cybersecurity services, including:
Security Scorecard Vulnerability Scans: Regular scans to identify and address vulnerabilities in your systems.
eRiskHub: A library of resources to understand cyber-related exposures.
Cybersecurity awareness training: Regular webinars and access to Learn University for ongoing education.
Expert guidance: Receive personalized assistance in incident response planning, business impact analysis, cyber hygiene analysis, and more. Enjoy direct access to our in-house cyber expert, Elisabeth Dubois, and our team of Great American experts – no AI chats or automated messages.
Cyber simulated tabletop exercises: Practice scenarios to prepare for potential cyber incidents.
Cyber risk assessments: Evaluations to identify and mitigate cyber risks.
Special access to Abira Security: Support for any cyber risk management solutions.
Yes, all NYMIR members can access the following services, even if they do not have a cyber policy with NYMIR:
Webinars: Educational sessions on various cybersecurity topics.
Learn University training: Access to training modules to enhance cybersecurity knowledge.
Select planning templates: Including Incident Response Plans to help prepare for potential cyber incidents.
The NYMIR Cyber Guide includes a variety of resources, such as:
Cybersecurity best practices: Guidelines to enhance your municipality's security posture.
How-to guides: Instructions for implementing cybersecurity measures, from MFA implementation to backups.
Incident Response Plan templates: Ready-to-use templates to help you respond effectively to cyber incidents.
Risk assessment tools: Resources to evaluate and mitigate cyber risks.
Sample policies: Examples of policies to guide your organization's cybersecurity efforts.
Yes, if you have cybersecurity questions or need assistance with training, vulnerability scans, or scheduling tabletop exercises, you can contact Elisabeth DuBois at edubois@wrightinsurance.com or 518-949-1027 for additional program information, questions, or to schedule a meeting for your municipality.
In the event of a cyber incident or claim, please contact Elisabeth DuBois at edubois@wrightinsurance.com or 518-949-1027. Additionally, you can reach out to the NYMIR Claims Department at nymirclaims@wrightinsurance.com. For claims emergencies only, call 1-800-894-9341.