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Texas Department of Insurance
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Review Requirements Checklist – Fidelity, Guaranty, Surety Bonds Other Than Criminal Court Appearance Bonds, Financial Guaranty Insurance

Updated 11/16/2021 - Return to Index

SB 1367 (87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021) may exempt from filing your commercial forms or rates/rules.

For more information, see Bulletin B-0022-021 or contact PropertyCasualty@tdi.texas.gov.

 

Refer to Property & Casualty Filings Made Easy for required documentation.

Forms

Filing Standards
Review requirements Reference Comments
Policy Forms and Endorsements §2301.001(2), Insurance Code Policy forms and endorsements may not be unjust, unfair, inequitable, misleading or deceptive.
Prior Approval  Chapter 2301, Insurance Code An insurance policy form or endorsement may not be delivered or issued for delivery in this state unless the form has been filed with and approved by the commissioner. Each filing shall be made not later than the 60th day before the date of any use or delivery for use.
Large Risk Exemption §2301.004, Insurance Code Policy forms for use with large risks are exempt from filing for prior approval if the forms are to be used with a "large risk." "Large Risk" is defined as an insured that has total insured property values of $5 million or more; an insured that has total annual gross revenues of $10 million or more; or an insured that has a total premium of $25,000 or more for property insurance, $25,000 or more for general liability insurance, or $50,000 or more for multiperil insurance.
Disapproval of Forms; Withdrawal of Approval §2301.007, Insurance Code The commissioner may disapprove a form filed under §2301.006 or withdraw approval of a form if the form (1) violates any law, including a rule adopted under the Texas Insurance Code, or (2) contains a provision or has a title or heading that is unjust or deceptive, encourages misrepresentation, or violates public policy.
Applications   Not Required to be Filed For Approval Unless Being Made a Part of the Policy
Arbitration
Review requirements Reference Comments
Arbitration Chapter 2301, Insurance Code Language used in arbitration agreements is to be consistent with that of the policy: to wit, don't use the word "parties" when you actually mean insured(s) and insurer. Binding arbitration is okay. Arbitration agreements may be mandatory. Arbitration must be held in Texas for Texas policyholders unless mutually agree on an alternate. In general, arbitration language cannot be unjust, misleading or deceptive.
Cancellation & Nonrenewal
Review requirements Reference Comments
Elected Officials §§551.151 & 551.152, Insurance Code An insurer may not cancel or refuse to renew an insurance policy based solely on the fact that the policyholder is an elected official.
Insured's Right to Cancel Chapter 2301, Insurance Code Insurance company cannot limit or restrict the insured's right to cancel a policy.
Voiding Coverage Chapter 705, Insurance Code "Void Coverage" language must comply with Chapter 705, Subchapter A, and the misrepresentation must be material.
Choice of Law
Review requirements Reference Comments
Texas Laws Govern Policies Article 21.42, Insurance Code Texas must be choice if filing contains choice of law provision.
Claims Settlement/Claim Notice
Review requirements Reference Comments
Contractual Limitations Period - Suits - Fidelity and Surety Contractual Limitations Period - Suits - Financial Guaranty §16.070, Civil Practice & Remedies §16.004, Civil Practice & Remedies Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person may not enter a stipulation, contract, or agreement that purports to limit the time in which to bring suit on the stipulation, contract, or agreement to a period shorter than two years. A stipulation, contract, or agreement that establishes a limitations period that is shorter than two years is void in this state. (Note: Statutes that require the surety bond may also limit the period to file suit to one year.) The Texas Third Court of Appeals issued an opinion that acknowledges that the language providing 2 years and 1 day from the date the cause of action first accrues satisfies the statutory requirement of §16.070, Civil Practices and Remedy Code. (www.search.txcourts.gov/Case.aspx?cn=03-08-00408-CV) Case #03-08-00408-CV


Legal action, 4 years if purpose is to pay debt owed.

Notice Requirements §16.071, Civil Practice & Remedies A contract stipulation that requires a claimant to give notice of a claim for damages as a condition precedent to the right to sue on the contract is not valid unless the stipulation is reasonable. A stipulation that requires notification within less than 90 days is void.
Prompt Payment of Claims §§542.051 - 542.061, Insurance Code Prompt payment of claims. The exception §542.053(a)(4) is for fidelity, surety or guaranty bonds. A municipal bond policy or financial guaranty policy should include the prompt payment of claims language.
Prompt Payment - Construction Payment Bonds §3503.051 - 3503.057, Insurance Code Prompt payment requirements for surety companies that have issued construction payment bonds, including acknowledgment and investigation of claim, acceptance or rejection of claim, and payment of claim.
Bond Notice Requirements for Filing Claim - Surety §2253.021, Government Code and §53.202, Property Code A bond required or furnished under the above statutes must clearly and prominently display on the bond or on an attachment: (1) the name, mailing address, physical address, and telephone number (including area code) of the surety company to which any notice of claim should be sent or (2) the toll free telephone number maintained by the Texas Department of Insurance under Article 1.35D, Texas Insurance Code, and a statement that the address of the surety company to which any notice of claim should be sent may be obtained from the Texas Department of Insurance by calling the toll free telephone number.
Providing Certain Claims Information On Request §§542.101-542.104, Insurance Code; and Commissioner's Bulletin No. B-0043-05 If a policy form or endorsement contains language addressing the request or furnishing of claims information, it would need to comply with the applicable statute(s).
Coverage Issues
Review requirements Reference Comments
Examination Under Oath Chapter 2301, Insurance Code
§151.001(a)(7), Family Code
If policy language requires examination under oath, the provision must also state that a parent or guardian may be present during any examination of a minor.
Tie-In Sales Chapter 1806, Insurance Code & 6/1/78 Board Letter Tie-in sales may violate state law.
Definition of "Convicted"
Review requirements Reference Comments
Business Services Bond - Fidelity Chapter 2301, Insurance Code Definition of "convicted" must be included.
Freestanding Dishonesty Bond - Fidelity Chapter 2301, Insurance Code Definition of "convicted" must be included.
Guaranty Fund NonParticipation
Review requirements Reference Comments
Guaranty Fund Nonparticipation Chapter 461 & Chapter 462, Insurance Code Texas Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Act not applicable to Fidelity, Surety and Financial Guaranty in accordance with §462.007(b)(2) & (3). Disclosure of Guaranty Fund Nonparticipation not required in accordance with §461.001(b)(1). This exemption is for a fidelity, surety, or guaranty bond. If a municipal bond policy or financial guaranty policy is being considered, the disclosure of Guaranty Fund Nonparticipation would be required.
Fully Earned Premium/Retention of Minimum Earned Premium
Review requirements Reference Comments
Fully Earned Premium / Retention of Minimum Earned Premium Chapter 2251 & Chapter 2301,  Insurance Code and 28 TAC §5.9320, Texas Administrative Code TDI will consider approving fully earned premium only for risks with exposure during a period certain, such as special events and weather policies.

TDI will consider approving minimum earned premium only if it is a nominal amount.

The company must file appropriate rates associated with a minimum or fully earned premium.
General Change Endorsements
Review requirements Reference Comments
May Not Manuscript Coverage Once Approved Chapter 2301, Insurance Code Coverage forms are prior approval. Change endorsements may be used to change insured address, etc. but may not be used to change, alter or "clarify" coverage in any way. Company must provide verification that the endorsement will not be used to change, alter, or clarify coverage.
Rebating or Discrimination
Review requirements Reference Comments
Rebating or Discrimination Chapter 1806, Insurance Code Inducements prohibited.
Indicates new addition since last update.Political Affiliation and Expression Chapter 544, Subchapter M, Insurance Code Except as provided by Section 544.603, a person may not refuse to insure or provide coverage to an individual, refuse to continue to insure or provide coverage to an individual, limit the amount, extent, or kind of coverage available for an individual, or charge an individual a rate that is different from the rate charged to other individuals for the same coverage because of the individual's political affiliation or expression.
Toll Free Information
Review requirements Reference Comments
Notice of Policyholder Complaint Procedures §521.005, Insurance Code A brief written notice of suggested procedure to be followed by the policyholder in the event of a dispute concerning a policyholder's claim or premium.
Toll-Free Information & Complaint Number §§521.051 - 521.056,  Insurance Code Toll-Free number for the Texas Department of Insurance.
Notice of Toll-Free Telephone Numbers and Information & Complaint Procedures 28 TAC §1.601 & §1.602, Texas Administrative Code and Commissioner’s Order 3952 To satisfy requirements for §521.005 and §§521.051 - 521.056 noted above.

Rates

Filing Standards
Review requirements Reference Comments
File & Use Chapter 2251, Insurance Code Each insurer shall file with the Commissioner all rates, supplementary rating information, and reasonable and pertinent supporting information for risks written in this state.

Rules

Filing Standards
Review requirements Reference Comments
File & Use Chapter 2301 & Chapter 2251, Insurance Code Manual rules should reflect specific requirements for usage of policy forms, endorsements, and disclosures.

Fees

Filing Standards
Review requirements Reference Comments
Fees for Paper Checks Prohibited §116.002, Business and Commerce Code An insurer or agent may not charge a fee for issuing payment via a paper check.

For more information, contact: PropertyCasualty@tdi.texas.gov

Last updated: 11/23/2021