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In the Matter of AMERICAN EXPRESS PROPERTY CASUALTY CO., Appellant, v. ROBERT VINCI, Respondent, et al., Respondents.

Ordered that the order is affirmed insofar as appealed from, without costs or disbursements.

Insurance Law § 3420 (d) requires an insurer to provide a written disclaimer "as soon as is reasonably possible." Reasonableness of the delay is measured from the time when the insurer "has sufficient knowledge of facts entitling it to disclaim, or knows that it will disclaim coverage" ( First Fin. Ins. Co. v. Jetco Contr. Corp., 1 NY3d 64, 66). The insurer bears the burden of justifying any delay ( id. at 69).

The petitioner acquired "sufficient knowledge of facts entitling it to disclaim" coverage at the examination under oath of its insured on February 21, 2003. Contrary to the petitioner's contention, "the obligation to provide prompt notice under Insurance Law § 3420 (d) is triggered when the insurer has a reasonable basis upon which to disclaim coverage, and cannot be delayed indefinitely until all issues of fact regarding the insurer's coverage obligations have been resolved" ( Republic Franklin Ins. Co. v. Pistilli, 16 AD3d 477, 479). Thus, under the circumstances of this case, the petitioner's failure to disclaim coverage until April 10, 2003, was unreasonable as a matter of law ( see Moore v. Ewing, 9 AD3d 484; Colonial Penn Ins. Co. v. Pevzner, 266 AD2d 391).

In view of the foregoing, we need not reach the petitioner's remaining contention.

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IN RE AMERICAN EXPRESS PROPERTY CASUALTY
(May 16, 2005)