17:37A-1. Policy declaration for mandatory program of essential insurance

1. It is hereby declared that an adequate market for fire and extended coverage insurance, including mine subsidence insurance, is necessary to attract and retain private capital in central city areas, and various other areas of the State; that without such insurance it is impossible to supply needed goods and services, and expand job opportunities; that orderly community development depends upon an adequate supply of such insurance to enable homeowners to obtain financing for the purchase and improvement of their property; that while the need for such insurance is growing there is reason to believe that the market for same is constricting, and likely to become more constricted in the future; that voluntary efforts to provide fire and extended coverage insurance, including mine subsidence insurance, in areas likely to be unprofitable deserve praise, but are insufficient to meet the needs of these areas; that the State has an obligation to require every insurance company writing fire and extended coverage insurance in New Jersey to meet its public responsibilities, instead of shifting the entire burden to a few public spirited companies; that it is the purpose of this act to accept this obligation; and that any mandatory program to provide fire and extended coverage insurance, including mine subsidence insurance, for all citizens of New Jersey should be supervised by the Commissioner of Insurance and periodically reviewed in the light of experience and intervening events by the Legislature.

L.1968,c.129,s.1; amended 1994,c.143,s.1.