Maryland Issues New Guidance on Reporting Producer Terminations for Cause
MD| Bulletin 26-3 explains how insurers must notify the Maryland Insurance Administration when terminating a producer’s appointment for cause, under Insurance Article §10-118(e)(1)(ii). Insurers must report such terminations when they believe the producer engaged in conduct listed in §10-126, and they may either submit an online enforcement intake form (with supporting documents uploaded into MIA’s […]
Oregon Issues New Export List: Surplus Lines Now Open for Affordable Housing Property & GL Coverage (No Diligent Search Required)
OR| The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services Division of Financial Regulation, Bulletin No. DFR 2026-1 establishes an export list under Oregon SB 829 (2025) that allows surplus lines insurers and qualified surplus lines producers to place commercial property and general liability coverage for qualifying affordable housing directly with surplus lines carriers, without first […]
Illinois Sends Reminder of February 1 Due Date for Surplus Line and Fire Marshal Tax Statements
IL| The Surplus Lines Association of Illinois (SLAI) has issued a reminder about Surplus Line and Fire Marshal Tax Statements that are due February 1, 2026 in an email newsletter sent to licensees on January 20, 2026. See reminder clip below:
New Maryland Bulletin 26-2: Intelligent Mail Barcode Approved as First-Class Mail Tracking Method Under Insurance Article
MD| The Maryland Insurance Administration’s Bulletin 26-2 clarifies that the USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode qualifies as a “first-class mail tracking method” under Insurance Article §1-101(m-1), because it is an electronic mail tracking system that provides evidence of the date first-class mail is accepted by USPS, similar to a certificate of mailing. The bulletin explains that […]
New PA Insurance Notice: Fidelity and Surety Rates No Longer Subject to Prior Filing, Effective Jan. 17, 2026
PA| The Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner issued Notice 2026-03 to announce it has deregulated fidelity and surety commercial lines from prior rate filing requirements under the Property and Casualty Filing Reform Act, effective January 17, 2026, while emphasizing that all rates must still comply with Commonwealth law, including the Unfair Insurance Practices Act and standards prohibiting […]
NAIC Announcement: OPTins Introduces 5-Day Hold on Large ACH Payments Over $1M – No Action Required for Filers
US| The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) announces that OPTins has implemented a filing amount limit so that any OPTins transaction over $1 million is now subject to a 5-business-day hold before the filing and/or payment is released, to reduce NAIC financial risk. No action is required from recipients; existing company-specific filing limits remain […]
Hawaii Bans ZIP Code Rating for Auto Insurance, Requires New Filings by June 30, 2026
HI| Hawaii Insurance Commissioner Scott K. Saiki issued Memorandum 2026-2PC on January 16, 2026, directing all motor vehicle insurers to remove ZIP code-based rating from their motor vehicle insurance rates and refile any affected rates, because ZIP codes are designed for postal purposes, not insurance risk classification, and may result in premium differentials that are […]
New SLA Bulletin: Key Deadlines, Tax Rate, and Zero-Return Rules for 2025 CA Premium Tax Filings
CA| The Surplus Line Association of California Bulletin #1516 reminds California surplus line brokers that the 2025 annual premium tax return is due March 2, 2026 and must be filed through the CDI Premium Tax Processing System, with a 3% tax rate applied to gross premiums plus fees minus returns, and zero returns required even […]
Texas Tightens Reporting Rules: New Home and Auto Data Mandates Take Effect April 1, 2026
TX| Texas Department of Insurance adopts revised Texas Statistical Plans for residential property and private passenger auto insurers to implement HB 2067 by requiring standardized reporting, by ZIP code, of reasons for declinations, cancellations, and nonrenewals, including indicators for use of third‑party data and aerial imagery, with effective dates moved to April 1, 2026. The […]
Maryland Issues New Bulletin Requiring Updated Disaster & Continuity Contacts by April 15, 2026
MD| Maryland Insurance Administration Bulletin 26-1 requires all insurers, non-profit health service plans, dental plan organizations, HMOs, MAIF, the Joint Insurance Association, and premium finance companies doing business in Maryland to electronically submit up-to-date disaster and continuity contact information to the MIA by close of business April 15, 2026, via the Disaster Contacts portal, using […]