NY S04444

Establishes regulatory framework for personal motor vehicle sharing programs, defining key terms including vehicle owners, renters, program providers, and rental periods for vehicles with gross weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less.

Requires program providers to procure group insurance coverage with liability limits at least three times the minimum required for private passenger vehicles, plus comprehensive and collision protection, and to provide renters with proof of insurance and real-time verification capabilities for law enforcement.

Shields vehicle owners from reclassification as commercial vehicles solely due to participation in compliant sharing programs, limits enrollment to four vehicles per individual or household before insurers may cancel coverage, and prohibits policy cancellation based solely on vehicle sharing participation.

Makes program providers liable as vehicle owners under vehicle and traffic law during rental periods, shields owners from vicarious liability, exempts owners from liability while renters have possession, and requires program insurers to defend and indemnify owners if named as defendants in claims arising during rentals.

Authorizes insurers to issue group liability and physical damage policies to program providers covering renters and participating vehicles during rental periods, with rates filed on a file-and-use basis with the Department of Financial Services.