Answers to other coverage questions are available on the VU website. This question was originally submitted by an agent through the VU’s Ask an Expert Service, with responses curated from multiple VU faculty members. Considering many insurers can produce updated declarations within a few days, the ACORD 27 should satisfy the lender until you can provide the new declarations listing them. If the homeowners policy is already in force, offer an ACORD 27 to evidence the coverage for the second mortgagee, pending revised declarations or an endorsement to add the lender as a second mortgagee. Once a formal policy is issued, the binder is no longer in effect, and therefore it is the lender's decision of whether or not to accept a binder as evidence of insurance.' According to the Department of Financial Services for New York, 'Insurance binders are the equivalent of temporary insurance until a formal policy is issued. Response 10: If a policy has been issued, the bank will typically not accept a binder. If the policy already exists with the mortgagee’s name on it, simply send the mortgagee a copy. However, you only need to issue the Evidence of Property form if the policy has not yet been endorsed with a new mortgagee, or if it is a new policy. Instead, issue the ACORD Evidence of Property Insurance form.

I don’t recommend issuing binders for mortgagees. If the carrier has not sent them a copy, you are free to do so.

Response 7: When listing a mortgagee, the carrier should send the bank a copy of the policy automatically, as well as notifying them if the policy lapses. Some states have statutes that require the bank to accept a binder as evidence of insurance. Response 6: Check your state's insurance and banking laws. Midway through the policy, we also recommend sending evidence of insurance. Carriers often send these items to mortgagees automatically. They should also get the same information at every renewal. Response 5: The mortgagee has the right to receive a copy of the policy and dec page. You can download a copy of the law from the Big “I” New York. Response 4: New York State law requires a mortgage lender to accept a binder at a home closing. Response 3: A bank can request any form of evidence of coverage they desire. If your customer is going to get the loan, you’ll need to comply with the bank’s request. Binders only show coverage for a set number of days, whereas the dec page shows coverage for the entire policy year. Response 2: If I was a bank, I wouldn’t accept a binder either. Response 1: A bank can demand whatever it wants if it is required by its mortgage documents. Q: Does the bank have the right to request a dec page listing them as mortgagee, or do they have to accept a binder? As proof of insurance on a home equity loan, a bank is requesting the homeowners policy declaration page listing them as the second mortgagee and will not accept a binder.

Hazard insurance binder