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NAMIC Tells NAIC to Reject Data Collection Proposal

SAN FRANCISCO (June 1, 2008) – A proposal for insurers to submit market conduct data as part of their annual statements to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners would violate the laws of most jurisdictions and potentially harm consumers as well as companies. That’s the message the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) sent to the NAIC in advance of its quarterly meeting here this weekend.

“This proposal raises serious legal issues,” said Neil Alldredge, vice president for state and regulatory affairs. “Additionally, there are questions about the confidentiality of the data that must be addressed.”

There are only three states in which the examination statutes do not impose confidentiality requirements on such materials or make confidentiality permissive, NAMIC and other industry trade associations pointed out in a letter to NAIC President Sandy Praeger. One of those states, New York, is considering legislation to make such materials confidential in most circumstances.

The proposal has been approved by the NAIC’s Market Regulation and Consumer Affairs (D) Committee, and now goes to the Executive Committee and Plenary. It would require insurers to submit market conduct data to the NAIC, where it would be housed in a centralized data bank – raising questions among insurers about the confidentiality of the data and how it would be treated if released.

“The data being collected now is done for regulatory purposes,” Alldredge said. “Going forward the data should only be used for those reasons.”

Many state insurance departments require preparation of market conduct annual statements, as part of their efforts to modernize and strengthen their analysis of insurers’ market conduct. The majority of states have passed statutes based on Model 693, an NAIC Market Conduct Surveillance Model law adopted four years ago.

“This proposal conflicts with the NAIC’s own model law on market conduct,” Alldredge said. “Public release of this data will increase litigation and not serve any real consumer interest.”

Among the main concerns among the insurers is the potential for the data to be released to the public, possibly leading to abuse among competitors and class action lawyers.

“Collecting market conduct data through annual financial statements is wrong,” Alldredge said. “It usurps legislative authority with no real benefit to consumers.”

For further information, contact
Nancy Grover
Director - Media Relations
(202) 628-1558 Tel
(202) 628-1601 Fax
ngrover@namic.org