Before applying to the Association, all applicants must make a diligent effort to secure coverage in the New Jersey voluntary insurance market.
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Any person having an insurable interest in the property to be insured may complete an application.
Partnerships, corporations or other legal entities must disclose information about principal owner, and other owned properties.
NJ Insurable Property
Any real property or personal property located within the state of New Jersey is potentially insurable.
Certain types of property, or properties with certain conditions are not insurable with the NJFAIR PLAN Association.
Refer to the following section for more specific guidelines.
NJ Properties Not Insurable
This list describes conditions or circumstances that make the NJ property uninsurable until they are corrected.
Other conditions, discovered upon inspection or investigation, may make the property uninsurable until improvements are made.
The insured will be notified of the conditions that require modification.
a. New Jersey Automobile risks or automobile property.
b. NJ Farm risks or property used for agricultural pursuits.
c. Buildings on which property taxes are unpaid for two or more quarters.
d. Buildings that are vacant or unoccupied and accessible to unauthorized persons.
e. Buildings with any of the rental units in the building being vacant or unoccupied and accessible to unauthorized persons.
f. Buildings that have an exceptional degree of hazard, such as the following:
- Buildings previously damaged, and the damages are not repaired within a reasonable time.
- Buildings in danger of collapse because of dilapidated or serious structural conditions.
- Buildings used for storage of flammable materials.
- Buildings that have been condemned.
g. Buildings that have characteristics of ownership, condition, occupancy or maintenance that violate public policy, such as the following:
- Buildings from which fixed and salvageable items have been or are being removed.
- Failure to furnish heat, water, sewer or public lighting.
- Failure to correct conditions dangerous to life, health or safety, or violations of applicable laws.
- When there is reasonable knowledge and belief that the property is endangered and is not reasonably protected from possible arson for profit.
- The building is used for selling or using drugs or narcotics.
h. The insured has been indicted for or convicted of arson or burning with intent to defraud, or there is evidence of incendiaries or attempt thereat by the insured or representative of the insured.
Eligibility Criteria and Limits
Real Property (Private dwellings) 1 to 4 family, owner or tenant occupied.
Personal Property (Contents) usual or incidental to the occupancy of a dwelling.
Maximum Limits
Real Property (Building)………………$500,000 - Maximum Per Location
· Personal Property (Contents)
If the Association is providing the
building coverage……………Up to 50% of the Building Limit
- Maximum of $250,000
If the Association is not providing the
building coverage……………$50,000 - Maximum Per Location
· The Maximum coverage per Location is $750,000
Actual Cash Value (ACV)
All policies provide coverage on an actual cash value basis. Replacement cost coverage is not available.
By case law, New Jersey is considered a Broad Evidence state, and many factors could potentially affect the determination of ACV.
Such factors might include:
· Assessed value of the improvement to the land.
· Market value of the building, less land.
· Replacement cost of the building less physical depreciation.
· Three-year rental income from the property.
· The potential for alternative uses of the building.
· Obsolescence factors such as cost of upgrading to meet current building codes.
The principle of indemnity underlies any determination of ACV. Insurance recovery for a property loss should correspond to the actual financial loss sustained by any insured. The insured should not benefit from the loss.
NJFAIR Plans Covered Perils
Direct loss to property caused by:
· Fire, Lightning,
· Explosion, Wind, Hail, Smoke, Aircraft, Vehicles, Riot or Civil Commotion,
· Vandalism or Malicious Mischief
· Mine Subsidence
The NJFAIR Plans Association does not provide:
· Broad perils such as water damage or collapse
· Flood coverage
· Liability coverage
· Theft coverage
NJFAIR Plans Policy Period
The policy period is one year and policies are not automatically continued or renewed.
A Notice of Expiration is mailed to the insured approximately 30 to 60 days prior to expiration.
A completed application and full annual premium must be received before coverage is renewed.
When Does NJFAIR Coverage Begin?
For applications on property that may be uninsurable, as defined in this guide, coverage cannot begin until after an inspection is completed.
This includes all vacant or unoccupied properties, and those previously damaged but not yet repaired.
For most applicants coverage begins upon receipt by the NJFAIR PLAN Association of the fully completed and signed application, plus any required supplemental forms, with full payment of the net annual premium.
"Receipt by the Association" means:
· If sent by U.S. Certified Mail, at 12:01 AM on the next day following the USPS cancellation date.
· If sent by regular mail, at 12:01 AM on the day the application is actually received in the Association Office.
· If personally delivered to the Association Office by the Applicant, at 12:01 AM on the day AFTER the date delivered.
Facsimile transmission of applications is not permitted to establish when coverage begins.
Incomplete applications will be returned, and may cause delay in establishing when coverage begins.
Inspections
An inspection may be conducted to confirm information provided on the application, or to verify insurability of property. There will be no cost to the applicant for any inspection.
Minimum Premium
The annual minimum premium for the dwelling policy is $50.
Deductibles
A minimum all perils deductible of $500 applies to all policies.
In the coastal areas, a larger all perils deductible, and a special hurricane deductible may apply. Refer to chart below using property zip code and distance from the ocean.
State of New Jersey COASTAL GROUP #1 ZIP CODES
07002
07713
07753
08248
08739
07008
07715
07755
08400
08740
07036
07716
07756
08403
08750
07064
07717
07757
08404
08753
07077
07718
07758
08405
08754
07201
07719
07760
08411
08755
07202
07720
07762
08721
08756
07206
07721
07764
08723
08757
07302
07723
08005
08724
08758
07304
07730
08050
08730
08832
07305
07732
08087
08731
08861
07306
07735
08092
08732
08862
07709
07737
08212
08734
08878
07711
07748
08223
08736
08879
07712
07750
08230
08738
· More than two (2) miles from the ocean as measured at mean high tide.
2% Hurricane Deductible with a $500 All Perils Deductible.
· Between one (1) and two (2) miles from the ocean as measured at mean high tide. 2% Hurricane Deductible with a $1,000 All Perils Deductible.
· Within one (1) mile or less from the ocean as measured at mean high tide.
3% Hurricane Deductible with a $1,000 All Perils Deductible.
NOTE: If the insured property is located in a zip code 08050, 08731 or 08758 and over five (5) miles from the ocean as measured at mean high tide, only the $500 All Perils Deductible will apply.
State of New Jersey COASTAL GROUP #2 ZIP CODES
07734
08202
08243
08402
08742
07740
08203
08247
08406
08751
08006
08204
08260
08735
08752
08008
08226
08401
· 4% Hurricane Deductible with a $1,500 All Perils Deductible.
Coinsurance
On Dwelling property, the policy form in use by the Association does not contain a coinsurance clause.
Vacant or Unoccupied Properties
Vacant, unattended, deteriorating property does not promote orderly community development. Buildings that are vacant or unoccupied and open
and accessible to unauthorized persons are not insurable under this plan.
Policy conditions suspend coverage and require notice to the NJFAIR PLAN Association if a property is vacant at inception, or becomes vacant during the policy term.
A Supplemental Application is required, and coverage does not begin until after approval by the underwriter.
New "ground up" construction is not considered vacant during the period of construction.
Renovation or remodeling of an existing building is considered vacant unless it is occupied by the insured during the renovation period.
Seasonal property is not considered vacant during the normal period of seasonal unoccupancy.
Seasonal Properties
Property described as seasonal means it is continuously unoccupied for a period of three or more consecutive months. A property is not considered vacant during its normal period of seasonal occupancy.
Property Under Construction
Property under construction means new from the foundation or "ground up" construction. It does not apply to an existing building undergoing remodeling or renovation.
A property under construction is not considered vacant during the construction period.
Property Under Renovation
Property under renovation means an existing building is undergoing remodeling, renovation, or repair. A property under renovation is considered vacant unless occupied by the insured throughout the renovation period.