INSURANCE COMMISSIONER (CGS § 38a-8)

The insurance commissioner is responsible for (1) administering and enforcing insurance laws; (2) protecting the public interest in insurance matters; (3) developing a review program to ensure the department's compliance with the minimum standards established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners for effective financial surveillance and regulation of insurance companies and HMOs; (4) establishing a program to electronically transmit documents, including policy form and rate filings, to and from insurers; and (5) maintaining the confidentiality of information collected or prepared in connection with examinations and investigations of companies and consumer complaints.

NOMINEE QUESTIONS

1. The Insurance Department's National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) accreditation is important for the department. On what factors is accreditation based? Are there any concerns about the department's ability to maintain accreditation? When does NAIC next review the department?

2. There are numerous proposals under discussion in the legislature for health care reform geared at reducing the number of uninsured state residents. What do you suggest the state do to make health insurance affordable and accessible in Connecticut?

3. The issue of homeowners insurance for coastal properties was in the news this year. Do you think insurance companies should be allowed to cancel policies if homeowners do not install hurricane shutters? What will you do to make sure that homeowners have access to affordable property insurance?

4. Recently, the insurance department completed an investigation of Assurant, Inc. , finding that the company violated the state prompt payment law and improperly denied claims saying the health care services were for pre-existing conditions. The department ordered the company to complete a corrective action plan, pay restitution to claimants, and undergo a further compliance audit. Do you think the department's order went far enough? What is your position on this practice of “post-claims underwriting” that Assurant practiced?

5. Several bills came before legislative committees this year regarding automobile insurance companies' use of preferred repair shops and whether this constituted steering, which is prohibited under Connecticut law. Should insurance companies be allowed to develop preferred repair shop networks? How should concerns that an insurer's use of preferred shops causes repair shops to accept below market labor rates be resolved?

6. The department currently has broad authority to examine the conduct of insurers and HMOs in the marketplace to make sure the companies comply with insurance laws and regulations. There is a proposal this year to have the department rely on market conduct examinations performed by other states for companies not domiciled in Connecticut, instead of performing its own examination. Do you support this proposal?

7. The NAIC Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact is under discussion in Connecticut. Twenty-nine states have adopted the compact so far. Can you describe the compact? Do you think Connecticut should join the compact?

8. Do you think the Insurance Department has adequate staff to meet its responsibilities?

9. The department is funded by assessments on the industry, rather than from the General Fund. Do you think this hinders your ability to effectively regulate the companies?

10. Do you think the department represents or protects the interests of the insurance industry, consumers, or both? If both, is the focus split equally between industry and consumers?

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