DEPARTMENT EXPANDS ELECTRONIC RATE AND FORM FILING  TO PROPERTY/CASUALTY INSURERS

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New York State   Insurance Department 

 ISSUED: 5/31/2000 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

           Superintendent of Insurance Neil D. Levin today announced that New York has expanded its acceptance of electronic filings. Insurers can now submit policy forms and rate filings through a new program that eliminates incomplete filings, significantly reduces review and processing time, and addresses the changing needs of consumers as a key part of the Department’s overall efforts towards “speed to market" insurance products.

            "Increasing the efficiency and responsiveness of the filing process through electronic filing  emphasizes the Department’s commitment to the utilization of electronic technology for the benefit of w York State insurers and consumers," said Levin. 

            The Department will now make the NAIC’s System for Electronic Rate and Form Filing (SERFF) available to insurers, accepting filings for select Property & Casualty insurance lines. SERFF allows insurers to obtain state approval by submitting policy forms and rate filings electronically. The evaluation, review and approval process is also completed in this electronic environment. An important component of SERFF is the submissions requirements database, which helps eliminate incomplete filings and improves the quality of the submissions by detailing what must be filed by insurers. These capabilities provide for a more efficient transaction between insurers and the Department and will significantly reduce review and process filing time. The system will be will be gradually expanded and ultimately utilized industry-wide. 

            SERFF addresses the changing needs of consumers as a key part of the Department’s overall efforts to "speed to market" insurance products in a marketplace of swiftly emerging financial services convergence, globalization, and e-commerce. The System facilitates the development of product innovations and enhancements, which can now be made available to consumers in a more timely manner. It also provides the Department with increased review and analysis capabilities that enable examiners to focus on key regulatory components of insurance products that will better protect the insurance buying public. 

            SERFF, set up on a trial basis among pilot insurers in April, is now available to all Property/Casualty insurers that have purchased a SERFF license. Filings will be accepted for  Homeowners, Other Liability (other than Professional), Fire and Allied Lines, Commercial Multiple

Peril, Inland Marine, and Fidelity and Surety. As we continue to gain experience with the system, the Department will accept additional lines of business and types of insurance under SERFF.