When Governor Andrew Cuomo issued the New York on PAUSE Order amid the coronavirus pandemic, all but the most essential activities within the state stopped, including most business, all public gatherings, and travel. What the governor’s order could not stop, however, were auto accidents and the injuries resulting from them. Despite New York State’s full lockdown since March 23, 2020, with only the first steps of reopening beginning in New York City on June 8, 2020, insurers continued to receive new no-fault claims.

However, the steps taken to “flatten the curve” created numerous challenges to the no-fault arena. Although there were clear actions taken by Governor Cuomo, including Executive Orders 202.8, 202.14 and 202.28, which extended filing and statutory deadlines, and Executive Order 202.7, which took the unprecedented step of allowing notary filings to be completed utilizing audio-video technology rather than previously mandatory in-person appearances, there are a number of issues that have yet to be addressed.

Unanswered Questions