government regulation of insurance. reasons for insurance regulation
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GOVERNMENT REGULATION GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF INSURANCE OF INSURANCE
Reasons for Insurance Regulation
Maintain Insurer Solvency
1. Premiums are paid in advance but protection extends into the future.
2. Policyowners are exposed to financial insecurity if insurers become
insolvent and claims are unpaid.
Compensate for Inadequate Consumer Knowledge
1.Insurance contracts are complex legal documents.
1.It is difficult to compare and determine the monetary value of insurance contracts.
3. Protection is needed against unethical agents
Ensure Reasonable Rates
Make Insurance Available
Historical Development of Insurance Regulation
Early Regulatory Efforts
1. State-chartered companies
2. State insurance commissions
Paul vs. Virginia
1. Ruled that insurance was not interstate commerce
2. The states rather than the federal government had the right to regulate the insurance industry.
This decision stood for about 75 years until the Supreme Court reversed it in 1944.
South-Eastern Underwriters Association Case
1. Reversed the Paul v. Virginia decision--court ruled that insurance was
interstate commerce when conducted across state lines and was subject to federal regulation.
2. The decision cast doubt on the legality of private rating bureaus and the power of the states to regulate and tax the insurance industry.
To resolve the confusion and doubt that existed after the South-Eastern Underwriters decision, Congress passed the McCarran-Ferguson Act (Public Law 15) in 1945.
McCarran-Ferguson Act (Public Law 15)
The McCarran-Ferguson Act states that continued regulation and taxation of the insurance industry by the states are in the public interest.
It also states that federal antitrust laws apply to insurance only to the extent that the Insurance industry is not regulated by state law.
Methods for Regulating Insurers
Legislation
1. State laws-- formation of insurance companies; licensing of agents and brokers; financial regulation; rates; sales and claims practices; taxation; rehabilitation or liquidation of insurers; protection of consumer rights
2. Federal laws-- mail-order sales; advertising; sale of variable annuities; private pension plans
Courts 1. Constitutionality of state insurance
laws
2.Interpretation of policy clauses and provisions
3. Legality of administrative actions by state departments
State Insurance Departments
Areas That Are Regulated
Formation and Licensing of Insurers
Financial Regulation
admitted assetsreservespolicyowners’ surplusrisk-based capitalinvestmentsdividend policyreports and
examinationsliquidation of insurers
Rate Regulation
prior-approval lawsfile-and-use lawsopen-competition lawsflex-rating laws
life insurance rates not regulated
Policy Forms
Sales Practices and Consumer Protection
licensing of agents and brokerstwistingrebatingunfair trade practicescomplaint divisionreadable policiesshoppers’ guides
State versus Federal Regulation
Advantages of Federal Regulation
uniformity of lawsgreater efficiencymore competent regulators
Advantages of State Regulation
greater responsiveness to local needspromotion of uniform laws by NAICgreater opportunity for innovationunknown consequences of federal
regulationdecentralization of political power
Shortcomings of State Regulation
inadequate protection against insolvencyinadequate protection of consumersimprovements needed in handling complaintsinadequate market conduct examinationsinsurance availability studiesregulators overly responsive to insurance industry
Repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act
Arguments for repeal of the McCarran Act include the following:
a. The insurance industry no longer needs broad anti-trust exemption.
b. Federal legislation is needed because of the defects in state legislation.
Arguments against repeal of the McCarran Act include the following:
a. The insurance industry is already highly competitive.
b. Small insurers would be harmed. c. Insurers may be prevented from
developing common coverage forms. d. Dual regulation may result from
repeal of the McCarran Act.
Current Issues in Insurance Regulation
Increase in Mergers and Acquisitions Growth of the Internet and E-Commerce
Insolvency of Insurers Quality of Insurance Regulation
Deregulation of Commercial Lines Credit scoring