What are NYS appraisers’ privacy and data-security expectations?

• A. Protect claimant information, use secure systems, and comply with privacy laws and insurer policies.
• B. Share claimant information with any third party upon request.
• C. Store data on unsecured devices for convenience.
• D. Only protect data during repair, not during investigation.

Answer: (A)

Safeguarding claimant information is essential for NYS appraisers. When you handle claims, you’re dealing with personal and sometimes sensitive data—names, contact details, policy numbers, claim specifics, and financial information. The best approach is to keep that information secure at every step: protect it from unauthorized access, use systems and processes that are secure by design, and follow the privacy laws and the insurer’s own privacy and data-handling policies.

Using secure systems means more than just avoiding a password slip-up. It includes access controls so only authorized personnel can view data, encryption for data both in transit and at rest, secure networks, and properly managed devices. Compliance with privacy laws and insurer policies means understanding and applying any applicable legal requirements and internal guidelines for who can access information, how it’s shared, how long it’s retained, and how it’s securely disposed of when no longer needed.

Why the other options don’t fit: sharing claimant information upon request without proper authorization can expose claimants to privacy breaches and violates policy and law; storing data on unsecured devices creates obvious vulnerability to theft or loss; protecting data only during a portion of the process ignores the ongoing risk throughout investigation and adjustment. The expectation is continuous, comprehensive protection across the entire workflow.