INS-33-09-00007-P Flexible Rating for Nonbusiness Automobile Insurance Policies
8/19/09 N.Y. St. Reg. INS-33-09-00007-P
NEW YORK STATE REGISTER
VOLUME XXXI, ISSUE 33
August 19, 2009
RULE MAKING ACTIVITIES
INSURANCE DEPARTMENT
PROPOSED RULE MAKING
NO HEARING(S) SCHEDULED
I.D No. INS-33-09-00007-P
Flexible Rating for Nonbusiness Automobile Insurance Policies
PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE State Administrative Procedure Act, NOTICE is hereby given of the following proposed rule:
Proposed Action:
Repeal of Part 163 and addition of new Part 163 (Regulation 153) to Title 11 NYCRR.
Statutory authority:
Insurance Law, sections 201, 301, 2350 and art. 23
Subject:
Flexible Rating for Nonbusiness Automobile Insurance Policies.
Purpose:
This rule re-establishes flexible rating for nonbusiness automobile insurance policies required by section 2350 of the Insurance Law.
Text of proposed rule:
A new Part 163 is added to read as follows:
§ 163.0 Preamble.
On June 30, 2008, the Governor signed Chapter 136 of the Laws of 2008 into law to enhance competition in the nonbusiness motor vehicle market, by adding a new Insurance Law section 2350. Chapter 136 replaces the prior approval system, in effect since 2001 for nonbusiness motor vehicle insurance rates, with a flexible rating (flex-rating) system. The new system, which takes effect on January 1, 2009, is a blend of prior approval and competitive rating. The system allows periodic overall average rate changes up to five percent on a file and use basis, and requires the superintendent's prior approval of overall average rate increases above five percent in any twelve-month period. The new section 2350 requires the superintendent to promulgate rules and regulations implementing the new flex-rating system.
§ 163.1 Definitions.
For the purpose of this Part, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) Base rate means the dollar charge for a given coverage for one car year prior to the application of rating factors.
(b) Car year means insuring a motor vehicle for one year.
(c) Coverage means the following motor vehicle insurance coverages:
(d) Current average rate for a given coverage means the weighted average of an insurer's latest filed base rates modified by the applicable rating factors for each motor vehicle for the given coverage with the weights proportional to the latest available number of car years associated with each rating factor, or any materially equivalent calculation.
(e) Current overall average rate means:
(1) the weighted average of the current average rate for:
(i) all coverages listed in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of this section; and
(ii) any other motor vehicle coverages not listed in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of this section, if the insurer proposes a change in the rate for that coverage, with the weights proportional to the latest available number of car years for the respective coverages; or
(2) any materially equivalent calculation.
(f) Effective date means the date a revised set of base rates or rating factors shall apply to all existing nonbusiness automobile insurance policies as such policies are renewed. If a filing only applies to new business, then the effective date means the date that an insurer may first write new business.
(g) File and use means the process by which an insurer files with the superintendent a proposed overall average rate change that is within the flex-band, and then uses the proposed overall average rate change without having to obtain the superintendent's prior approval.
(h) Flexibility band or flex-band means the range of overall average rate increase or decrease (up to +5%) within which an insurer may change its motor vehicle insurance rates without having to obtain the superintendent's prior approval.
(i) Motor vehicle has the meaning set forth in section 5102(f) of the Insurance Law.
(j) Nonbusiness automobile insurance policy means a contract of insurance covering losses or liabilities arising out of the ownership, operation or use of a motor vehicle that is predominately used for nonbusiness purposes, when a natural person is the named insured.
(k) Proposed average rate for a given coverage means the weighted average of an insurer's proposed base rates modified by the applicable rating factors for each motor vehicle for the given coverage with the weights proportional to the latest available number of car years associated with each rating factor, or any materially equivalent calculation.
(l) Proposed overall average rate means:
(1) the weighted average of the proposed average rate for:
(i) each coverage listed in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of this section regardless of whether the insurer is filing a change for that coverage; and
(ii) any other motor vehicle coverages not listed in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of this section if the insurer proposes a change in the rate for that coverage, with the weights proportional to the latest available number of car years for the respective coverages; or
(2) any materially equivalent calculation.
(m) Proposed overall average rate change means the percentage difference between the proposed overall average rate and the current overall average rate. For example, if the proposed overall average rate is $1,200 and the current overall average rate is $1,000, then the proposed overall average rate change is 20% (((1,200/1,000)-1) × 100).
(n) Rating factors means the various elements that are applied or added to the base rates to obtain the actual nonbusiness automobile insurance policy premiums. These include classification factors based on the age, sex, and marital status of the insured, territorial rating factors, merit rating factors based on the driving record of the insured, increased limit factors, motor vehicle symbol and model year rating factors, and multi-tier rating factors.
§ 163.2 Rules and standards governing proposed file and use overall average rate changes for nonbusiness automobile insurance policies.
(a) An insurer may implement a proposed overall average rate increase on a file and use basis provided that the change is within the five percent flex-band. If the proposed overall average rate increase exceeds the five percent flex-band, then the insurer shall obtain the superintendent's prior approval before implementing the change.
(b) During any twelve-month period, an insurer may implement no more than two overall average rate increases on a file and use basis provided that the cumulative effect of the increases shall be within the five percent flex-band. If a proposed overall average rate increase combined with a prior rate increase implemented within a twelve-month period of the proposed effective date of the request exceeds the five percent flex-band, then the insurer shall obtain the superintendent's prior approval before implementing the change. The cumulative effect of two or more rate changes in a twelve-month period is derived in a multiplicative manner. For example, if an insurer implements on a file and use basis a +2.9% overall average rate increase effective February 1, 2009 and a +2% overall average rate increase effective August 1, 2009, then the insurer may not implement another file and use overall average rate increase before February 1, 2010. However, at such time, the insurer may implement an overall average rate increase up to a maximum of +2.9%.
(c) An insurer may implement an overall average rate decrease on a file and use basis up to a maximum of five percent at any one time from the overall average rate currently in effect.
(d) Notwithstanding any provision of this Part, an insurer shall not implement an overall average rate increase on a file and use basis subsequent to an overall average rate increase greater than the five percent flex-band that the superintendent has already prior approved in the twelve-month period immediately preceding the effective date of the proposed increase.
§ 163.3 Rules and standards governing changes in rating factors.
(a) An insurer may adjust its rating factors as part of a file and use change. The insurer shall incorporate the rate impact of these adjustments in the overall average rate change. These changes shall be consistent with the rate change limitations for individual insureds contained in section 163.4 of this Part.
(b) An insurer may adjust its rating factors in separate and distinct filings independent of an overall average rate change. If these filings have no overall average rate impact, then the insurer may implement them on a file and use basis and the insurer shall not be precluded from implementing a file and use change for an overall average rate increase within the time periods specified in section 163.2(b) of this Part. For example, the introduction of a physical damage coverage's model year rating factor for a new model year that is consistent with an existing model year rating rule is not subject to prior approval. These filings shall be consistent with the rate change limitations for individual insureds contained in section 163.4 of this Part.
§ 163.4 Rules and standards governing nonbusiness automobile insurance policy premium change limitations for individual insureds as a consequence of file and use filings.
(a) In any twelve-month period, the total premium on any nonbusiness automobile insurance policy shall not change by more than 30% as a consequence of file and use filings. An insurer shall meet this requirement by adjusting the base rates or rating factors in the file and use filing. An insurer shall not cap an individual insured's premium as a final step. If a filing produces an annual total premium change on an insurance policy that exceeds the 30% maximum, then the filing shall be subject to the superintendent's prior approval.
(b) Changes in the premium of a nonbusiness automobile insurance policy as a consequence of changes in an insured's rating characteristics or changes in the coverages or the amounts of coverage being purchased shall not be considered within the calculation of the individual insured premium limitation contained in subdivision (a) of this section. For example, if an insured has an accident during the prior year and incurs a 25% surcharge or uptier, then this 25% surcharge/uptier shall not be considered within the individual premium limitation. Similarly, if a change in the age of an insured results in the application of a different classification factor, the rate effect attributable to that classification change shall also not be considered within the individual premium limitation.
§ 163.5 Support for filings submitted on a file and use basis.
An insurer shall include support for all proposed changes specified in each filing submitted on a file and use basis. The support shall include the specific reasons for the proposed changes, and any other material information required by section 2304 of the Insurance Law (e.g., the underlying data upon which the change is based). Filings submitted on a file and use basis shall be subject to the superintendent's review in accordance with Article 23 of the Insurance Law.
§ 163.6 Support for filings subject to prior approval.
(a) An insurer shall include support for all proposed changes specified in each filing subject to the superintendent's prior approval. The support shall include the specific reasons for the proposed changes, and any other material information as required by section 2304 of the Insurance Law.
(b) Subject to all other requirements of this Part and article 23 of the Insurance Law, an insurer may adjust rating factors associated with territories or classifications as part of its file and use filing, provided that there are no changes to the underlying definitions which remain subject to the superintendent's prior approval pursuant to article 23 of the Insurance Law. Examples of rating classifications include discounts, surcharges, merit rating plans or multi-tier programs.
(c) If any one element of a filing is subject to prior approval, then the entire filing shall be subject to prior approval.
§ 163.7 Notification to insureds of rate changes.
(a) An insurer shall mail or deliver to every named insured affected by a rate increase due to a flex-band rate filing, at least 30 but not more than 60 days in advance of the end of the policy period, a notice of its intention to change the insured's rate. The notice shall set forth the specific reason or reasons for the rate change.
(b) An insurer shall not implement a rate increase due to a flex-band rate filing unless the insurer has mailed or delivered to the named insured affected by the rate increase the notice required by subdivision (a) of this section.
(c) An insurer shall submit a flex-band rate filing to the superintendent in a timely manner. An insurer shall not submit a flex-band rate filing to the superintendent after insureds have received notification pursuant to subdivision (a) of this section.
Text of proposed rule and any required statements and analyses may be obtained from:
Andrew Mais, NYS Insurance Department, 25 Beaver Street, New York, NY 10004, (212) 480-2285, email: amais@ins.state.ny.us
Data, views or arguments may be submitted to:
Buffy Cheung, NYS Insurance Department, 25 Beaver Street, New York, NY 10004, (212) 480-5587, email: bcheung@ins.state.ny.us
Public comment will be received until:
45 days after publication of this notice.
Regulatory Impact Statement
1. Statutory authority: Sections 201, 301, and Article 23 of the Insurance Law (most specifically, section 2350).
These sections establish the superintendent's authority to promulgate regulations establishing standards for flexible rating systems providing nonbusiness automobile insurance policies. Sections 201 and 301 of the Insurance Law authorize the superintendent to effectuate any power accorded to him by the Insurance Law, and prescribe regulations interpreting the Insurance Law.
Article 23 promotes the public welfare by regulating insurance rates to the end that they not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory, to promote price competition and competitive behavior among insurers.
Chapter 136 of the Laws of 2008 adds a new section 2350 to the Insurance Law, which reintroduces flexible rating for nonbusiness automobile insurance rates.
2. Legislative objectives: The stated purpose of Article 23 of the Insurance Law is to ensure the availability and reliability of insurance, and to promote public welfare, by regulating insurance rates to assure that they are not excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory and are responsive to competitive market conditions. Chapter 136 of the Laws of 2008 reestablished flexible rating for nonbusiness automobile insurance. It should strengthen the high level of competition that already exists in this market. The nonbusiness automobile market can benefit from the additional competitive impetus of a flexible rating system.
3. Needs and benefits: Flexible rating, which is a hybrid system borrowing elements from open competition and prior approval, has been applicable to commercial risk, professional liability and public entity insurance since 1986. In those markets, flexible rating has proved successful in restoring stability, promoting fair competition, and providing a firm foundation for long-term thinking and strategic planning, not only on the part of the insurance industry, but for the benefit of businesses and consumers that must rely upon, and budget for, insurance protection.
The above benefits are pertinent to the application of flex rating for the nonbusiness automobile market. Competition and market forces have always been strong determinants of rates for nonbusiness automobile coverages, and flex rating should strengthen the high level of competition that already exists in this market.
Chapter 113 of the Laws of 1995 first introduced flex rating to nonbusiness automobile insurance effective July 1, 1995 until it expired on August 2, 2001 and was replaced by prior approval requirements. However, section 13 of Chapter 136 of the Laws of 2008 adds a new section 2350 to the Insurance Law, which reintroduces flexible rating for nonbusiness automobile insurance rates. It permits insurers to place nonbusiness automobile insurance rates in effect without the superintendent's prior approval, provided that the overall average rate level does not result in an increase above five percent from the insurer's prior rate level in effect during the preceding 12 months. Section 2350 also limits the overall average rate level decreases without prior approval up to five percent from the insurer's current rate level regardless of when it went into effect. The prior regulation, which implemented the former flex rating system, is hereby being repealed pursuant to this new Part 163 of Title 11 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (Regulation No. 153). In accordance with section 2350(c), Insurance Department Regulation No. 153 (11 NYCRR 163) is being promulgated to provide guidance to insurers in implementing the new law's requirements.
4. Costs: This rule imposes no compliance costs on state or local governments. There are no additional costs incurred by the Insurance Department. For regulated parties, the costs of submitting a flexible rate filing should be no different than the costs of submitting a rate filing under the prior law. Since insurers will be able to implement flexible rate changes without having to wait for the Insurance Department's formal approval, they will be able to respond more quickly to competitive forces in the marketplace. However, there is an additional requirement to provide notice to all policyholders affected by a rate increase due to a flexible rate filing. Compliance with this notice requirement of premium increases pursuant to the flexible rating regulation will have a minimal cost, since the notice language may be included along with the renewal policy information sent to insureds. In any event, the notice requirement is imposed by the statute, not the regulation.
5. Local government mandates: This amendment does not impose any program, service, duty or responsibility upon a city, town or village, or school or fire district.
6. Paperwork: While the paperwork associated with the submission and monitoring of a flexible rate filing is essentially the same as that associated with private passenger automobile insurance rate filings under the prior law, there is an additional requirement imposed by the statute to provide notice to all policyholders affected by a rate increase due to a flexible rate filing. This notice language may be included along with the renewal policy information sent to insureds.
7. Duplication: This rule will not duplicate any existing state or federal rule.
8. Alternatives: The Department performed outreach with three property/casualty insurer trade organizations (individually "insurer trade organization") and two property/casualty insurance agents and brokers trade organizations (individually "agents and brokers trade organization") and received comments from four out of the five organizations.
a. The legislative intent was for any rate change that results in an overall rate increase above 5% during a 12-month period to require prior approval. The alternative approach would be not to consider any rate increase that exceeds the 5% overall flex band limit that has been prior approved during the same 12-month period. While this approach would require newer data to support any flex rate filing made subsequent to a prior approved rate filing, it still seems to be clearly against the legislative intent to keep significant automobile rate increases occurring within a 12-month period to be subject to prior approval. For example, if an insurer received approval for a rate increase of 7% effective February 1, 2009, the insurer may not implement an additional increase to be effective before February 1, 2010 on a flexible rating basis.
b. The Department considered reducing the limitation from the prior regulation standard of a 30% maximum individual premium change as a consequence of file and use filings to 25%, with the understanding that such maximum policyholder change bears some relationship to the overall flex band (which has decreased from 7% in the prior flex rating statute to 5% in the new statute). However, in consideration of comments received, the Department agreed that the maximum individual premium change is not truly relevant to the overall average rate change resulting from a flexible rate filing made by an insurer. It is quite common for rate filings with little or no overall rate effect to still produce significant individual policyholder impacts.
c. An insurer trade organization objected to the provision of Section 163.4, which precludes an insurer from capping an individual insured's premium to comply with the maximum individual premium change provision. This organization asserted that "capping" is a method that is considered acceptable in other states to achieve that result as opposed to making adjustments to base rates and factors for an entire class of policyholders. However, it has long been the Department's view that the capping of individual policy premiums is unfairly discriminatory to new policyholders with the same characteristics as current policyholders whose rates have been capped and therefore contrary to Article 23.
d. An insurer trade organization inquired as to whether the cumulative effect of two flexible rate increases would be measured, by simple addition or by multiplication. In response to this comment, further clarification has been added to Section 163.2 of this regulation, stating that the cumulative effect is determined in a multiplicative manner and an example has been included.
e. Two insurer trade organizations commented that the regulation fails to specify the instances under which the superintendent may order an insurer to make a change in its rates filed under file and use basis. However, section 2320 of the Insurance Law provides procedures that must be followed by the superintendent and insurers in addressing issues related to rate filings that are not subject to prior approval. Thus, no change to the proposal was made in response to this comment.
f. An insurer trade organization and an agents and brokers trade organization suggested that the Department clarify that the maximum permitted increase for an individual insured's premium should be applied to the full coverage or total premium of a nonbusiness automobile insurance policy. Consequently, the Department modified section 163.4(a) of the regulation to clarify that the provision applies to an insured's total policy premium and not to a specific coverage.
g. Two insurer trade organizations and an agents and brokers trade organization requested a definition of the term "predominantly" with regard to the definition of "nonbusiness automobile insurance policy" and a revision to the definition of the term "effective date" with regard to new business and renewals. However, the term "predominantly" is not unique to the flexible rating statute, and is used elsewhere in the Insurance Law, such as section 3425. In addition, the term "predominantly" has been previously clarified through opinions of the Department's Office of General Counsel. Thus, the Department made no changes to the regulation in response to this comment. The Department considered the request for revision of the definition of the term "effective date" but determined that the current definition, contained in section 163.1 of the regulation, was appropriate.
h. An agents and brokers trade organization inquired if an insurer may increase the premium on a six month policy at each policy renewal. However, article 23 of the Insurance Law requires an insurer to use the rates in effect upon renewal of each policy, regardless of the rate filing system used to make the rate filing (i.e., regardless of whether the filing was made as file and use or in accordance with prior approval). Thus, the Department made no changes to the regulation in response to this comment.
i. An insurer trade organization commented on the fact that the regulation would allow an insurer to file multiple file and use rate reductions while being limited to only two file and use increases within any 12-month period. The flexible rating statute provides for a maximum of two file and use overall average rate increases within any 12-month period, up to an overall maximum increase of 5%. The statute does not, however, provide any restrictions on the number of file and use overall average rate decreases, provided that the overall average rate decrease does not exceed the 5% flex-band from the rate currently in effect. All rate filings must include support for the proposed changes as required by Article 23 of the Insurance Law, as the Department will monitor the cumulative effect of the decreases to ensure that the rates are not inadequate or otherwise in violation of the Insurance Law.
9. Federal standards: There are no minimum standards of the federal government for the same or similar subject areas.
10. Compliance schedule: Insurers should be able to comply with the requirements of this rule as soon as they are effective.
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
1. Small businesses:
The Insurance Department finds that this rule will not impose any adverse economic impact on small businesses and will not impose any reporting, recordkeeping or other compliance requirements on small businesses. The basis for this finding is that this rule is directed at property/casualty insurance companies licensed to do business in New York State, none of which falls within the definition of "small business" as found in section 102(8) of the State Administrative Procedure Act. The Insurance Department has monitored Annual Statements and Reports on Examination of authorized property/casualty insurers subject to this rule, and believes that none of the insurers falls within the definition of "small business", because there are none that are both independently owned and have fewer than one hundred employees.
2. Local governments:
The rule does not impose any impacts, including any adverse impacts, or reporting, recordkeeping, or other compliance requirements on any local governments. The basis for this finding is that this rule is directed at property/casualty insurance companies, none of which are local governments.
Rural Area Flexibility Analysis
1. Types and estimated numbers of rural areas: This regulation applies to all property/casualty insurance companies licensed to write insurance in New York State (specifically, those writing automobile insurance). Property/casualty insurance companies do business throughout New York State, including rural areas as defined under State Administrative Procedure Act Section 102(10).
2. Reporting, recordkeeping and other compliance requirements, and professional services: This regulation is not expected to impose any reporting, recordkeeping or other compliance requirements on public or private entities in rural areas. This regulation re-establishes flexible rating for nonbusiness automobile insurance policies, as required by section 2350 of the Insurance law. While the paperwork associated with the submission and monitoring of a flexible rate filing is essentially the same as that associated with private passenger automobile insurance rate filings under the prior law, there is an additional requirement imposed by the statute to provide notice to all policyholders affected by a rate increase due to a flexible rate filing. This notice language may be included together with the renewal policy information that is sent to insureds.
3. Costs: The costs to regulated parties of submitting a flexible rate filing should be no different than the costs for submitting a rate filing under the prior law. Since insurers will be able to implement flexible rate changes without having to wait for the Insurance Department's formal approval, they will be able to respond more quickly to competitive forces in the marketplace. However, there is an additional requirement to provide notice to all policyholders affected by a rate increase due to a flexible rate filing. Compliance with this notice requirement of premium increases pursuant to the flexible rating regulation will have a minimal cost, since the notice language may be included along with the renewal policy information sent to insureds. In any event, the notice requirement is imposed by the statute, not the regulation.
4. Minimizing adverse impact: The regulation does not impose any impact unique to rural areas.
5. Rural area participation: This regulation is required by statute.
Job Impact Statement
The Insurance Department finds that this rule will have no adverse impact on jobs and employment opportunities. It merely implements section 2350 of the Insurance Law, which directs the superintendent to establish standards for flexible rating systems providing nonbusiness automobile insurance policies. The number of insurance company personnel necessary to submit a flexible rating filing should be no different than submitting a rate filing under the prior law.
