September 16, 2009


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OHIO MANDATES SERFF FILINGS;
BRINGING TOTAL TO 22 STATES

As of Dec. 31, 2009, insurance rate and form filings in Ohio must be submitted using "SERFF," the System for Electronic Rate and Form Filing developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Ohio is the 22nd jurisdiction to mandate the use of SERFF; the others are: Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico,  New Jersey, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia.

AAIScompliance service

AAIS is an authorized third-party SERFF filer and can submit your filings for any property/casualty program, whether based on AAIS programs or other forms and manuals.  For information on SERFF filings and other services offered through the AAIScompliance program, contact compliance@AAISonline.com.
 


WISCONSIN UM/UIM ENDORSEMENTS
TO BE REVISED WITH 'STACKING'
LIMITED BUT NOT PROHIBITED

Despite questions about the practical application of certain provisions of Wisconsin law, AAIS will be removing "anti-stacking" prohibitions from endorsements filed in Wisconsin for providing uninsured and underinsured (UM/UIM) motorists coverage under umbrella/excess policies.

In their place, AAIS will include provisions following statutory language limiting to three the number of vehicles for which UM/UIM limits can be stacked.

Wisconsin this year passed a law (see page 590) mandating that umbrella/excess insureds be offered UM/UIM coverage. The act expressly prohibits the use of anti-stacking language typically used by insurers to prevent insureds from adding UM/UIM coverage to similar limits for other vehicles.

Anti-stacking language is usually an issue under auto policies that name each covered auto. Nonetheless, AAIS has determined that the drafters of the act intend for umbrella policies to be subject to the prohibition on the use of anti-stacking language.

Insurers that use the AAIS Personal Umbrella, Commercial Umbrella, or Farm Umbrella programs in Wisconsin will be notified of filing action before the Nov. 1, 2009 effective date of the new law.


AAIS STAFF AVAILABLE
AT FALL INDUSTRY MEETINGS

AAIS staff members will be attending two national insurance meetings this fall:

  • Paul Baiocchi, president, Joyce Tignino, vice president for marketing and industry relations, and Rick Maka, director of marketing, will be at the NAMIC Annual Convention, Sept. 19-21 in Atlanta. Go to booth 133.

  • Laura Lemke, supervisor of state filings, and Norma Jean Knight, senior filings and compliance specialist, and Tignino will be at the AICP Annual Conference, Oct. 4-,7 in Phoenix. Go to booth 19.

For further information, contact Joyce Tignino at joycet@AAISonline.com or by calling 800-564-AAIS, ext. 236.
 


AAIS EARTHQUAKE SUPPLEMENTS
MOVED TO PROGRAM MANUALS

AAIS manual supplements that provide rating zone information for earthquake coverage have been moved from a separate location on the  AAISdirect Internet service into the manual sections for each affected line of insurance.

Bulletin 09-1845 explaining the change was issued on Sept. 11, 2009 to AAIS affiliated companies for the following programs: Artisans, Businessowners, Commercial Properties, Dwelling Properties, Farm Properties, Farmowners, Homeowners, and Mobile-Homeowners.
 


NEW JERSEY SETS GUARANTY FUND
RECOUPMENT ASSESSMENT

As of Oct. 1, 2009, member insurers of the New Jersey Property-Liability Guaranty Association can impose premium surcharges on most property/casualty policies, up to 0.9% of net direct written premium in affected lines, provided the insurers have paid their 2009 assessments to the fund, which were due Sept. 16.

An order from the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance says the surcharge authorization applies to all kinds of direct insurance except life, health, workers compensation, and several other lines.
 


Transmitted by the American Association of Insurance Services, 1745 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton, IL 60189.
 


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