IN SUPPORT OF RAISED HOUSE BILL 6379
AN ACT CONCERNING SURPLUS LINES INSURANCE BROKERS
On March 5, 2013, IIAC President, Warren Ruppar, presented the following testimony to the Insurance and Real Estate Committee:
Senator Crisco, Representative Megna and members of the Insurance and Real Estate committee, my name is Warren Ruppar and I am President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut. The Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut is a trade association which has been located in Connecticut and has represented independent agents for 114 years. IIAC currently represents more than 400 member agencies and their associates as well as their 3500-plus employees. I am submitting this testimony today for your consideration.
The Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut supports Raised House Bill 6379. This proposal will bring efficiency in the processing of a surplus lines policy and will bring better consumer awareness to the purchaser of such policy.
We urge the committee to support Raised House Bill 6379.
IN SUPPORT OF RAISED BILL 6476
AN ACT CONCERNING CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE FOR
PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE COVERAGE
On February 26, 2013, IIAC President, Warren Ruppar, presented the following testimony to the Insurance and Real Estate Committee:
Senator Crisco, Representative Megna and members of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, my name is Warren Ruppar and I am President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut. The Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut is a trade association which has been located in Connecticut and has represented independent agents for 114 years. IIAC currently represents more than 400 member agencies and their associates as well as their 3500-plus employees. I come to you today to speak in favor of Raised Bill 6476.
On November 9, 2010, Connecticut’s Insurance Commissioner Thomas Sullivan issued Bulletin S-14 which addressed the issue of the use of a certificate of insurance. This was the result of meetings with the Commissioner and his staff and members of the Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut (IIAC) to address the issue of the proper use of certificates of insurance. The major problem that was discussed with the regulators by IIAC at that time was that numerous businesses and municipalities were requiring producers to include information on a certificate that was not included in the insurance coverage that was purchased and in place. Bulletin S-14 was developed by Commissioner Sullivan and his staff to correct this unacceptable business practice and to inform insurance consumers of the purpose of a certificate of insurance. The information in Bulletin S-14 noted that “certificates cannot be used to amend, expand or alter the terms of the underlying insurance policy.” Since that time, IIAC has met with the producer community, municipalities, and businesses to review the content of the Insurance Department Bulletin S-14 and the correct use of an approved certificate of insurance. Bulletin S-14 has proven to be a useful tool for the producer community to educate their customers on the purpose and the use of a certificate of insurance.
Raised Bill 6476 addresses the same issues as Bulletin S-14. We support the efforts of the committee in bringing the intent and purpose of Bulletin S-14 to statutory language if approved by this committee.
IN OPPOSITION OF PROPOSED HOUSE BILL 5635
AN ACT CONCERING THE TIME FRAME FOR PROVISION OF A
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM BY AN INSURANCE PRODUCER TO AN APPLICANT
On February 14, 2013, IIAC President, Warren Ruppar, presented the following testimony to the Insurance and Real Estate Committee:
Senator Crisco, Representative Megna and members of the Insurance and Real Estate committee, my name is Warren Ruppar and I am President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut. The Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut is a trade association which has been located in Connecticut and has represented independent agents for 114 years. IIAC currently represents more than 400 member agencies and their associates as well as their 3500-plus employees. I come to you today to speak in opposition to Proposed House Bill 5635.
The standard insurance agency procedure for a new business application for insurance would include a request by the producer to have the applicant review the completed application and then sign it before a final offer of insurance is made. This procedure is used to protect the consumer and assure that the application information is correct. This process is easily accomplished if the applicant is in the physical location of the producer. If there is a request for a quote over the phone, the producer will record the information provided by the applicant and give that person a quote indication. A follow-up application will be sent to the applicant for their review and signature or the applicant can visit the agency and complete the application and sign it at that time.
These procedures are in place to protect the applicant and assure that this person receives the coverage that they are requesting. The signature of the application by the customer assures the producer that the applicant read and verified the information.
Proposed House Bill 5635 would not improve the process that is in place today. There are safeguards currently in practice and the requirement in this proposed bill would change a procedure that is effective and accepted throughout the insurance industry.
We urge the committee to oppose Proposed House Bill 5635.
IN SUPPORT OF RAISED BILL 812
AN ACT CONCERNING THE CONNECTICUT HEALTH INSURANCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
On February 5, 2013, IIAC President, Warren Ruppar, presented the following testimony to the Insurance and Real Estate Committee:
Senator Crisco, Representative Megna and members of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, my name is Warren Ruppar and I am President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut. The Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut is a trade association which has been located in Connecticut and has represented independent agents for 114 years. IIAC currently represents more than 400 member agencies and their associates as well as their 3500-plus employees. I come to you today to speak in favor of Raised Bill 812.
Raised Bill 812 provides for the appointment by the Governor of an active insurance producer to be a member of the board of directors of The Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange. The Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut supports this proposal as the appointment of a trained, licensed and experienced producer on the board will provide an additional perspective in the decision process of the board. The importance of diversity on this board is clear. The importance of expertise in the insurance business is also clear. Effective health care reform will and does take the ideas, experience and professionalism of all involved. Licensed insurance producers are engaged in the everyday process of providing insurance products to Connecticut consumers. The licensed insurance producer is the Trusted Choice of the consumer. The development of the insurance exchange relies on individuals that understand the complexities of health care. The appointment of an insurance producer to the board of The Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange is an important addition as that person will assist in the decisions that are made to provide health insurance to the residents of Connecticut.
The Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut urges the committee to support Raised Bill 812.