The purpose of this bulletin is to advise insurers that in accordance with the enactment of Senate Bill 14 (78th Regular Legislative Session) the Texas Department of Insurance (department) will not update the Texas Automobile Rules and Rating Manual or the Texas Personal Lines Manual (Manuals). Policy forms, endorsements and rates for personal automobile, commercial automobile and residential property insurance are now regulated under the provisions of Article 5.13-2, Insurance Code.
Article 5.101, the statutory authority for the benchmark rating system for personal automobile insurance, was repealed effective December 1, 2004. While the Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) will continue to file updates to its symbol system; the department will no longer adopt the ISO auto rating symbols as part of the Texas Automobile Rules and Rating Manual. If ISO participating insurers wish to continue utilizing the ISO symbols, they are required to make the appropriate filing with the department. Insurers not filing to use the ISO symbols or not filing their own rating rules are assumed to be utilizing the symbols as adopted in the Texas Automobile Rules and Rating Manual without update.
Insurers are subject to the rules contained in the Manuals until filings are made in accordance with Article 5.13-2.
Questions regarding this bulletin may be directed to Grover Corum, Manager, Personal Lines Division at 512-322-3430 or grover.corum@tdi.state.tx.us.
Marilyn Hamilton, Associate Commissioner
Property & Casualty Program MC 104-PC