The purpose of this bulletin is to notify insurance companies (companies) and agents of changes to Helpinsure.com. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) launched the Helpinsure.com website in September 2002 to help Texans shop for homeowners insurance. On this website, consumers can complete and submit an online questionnaire about their residential property. Agents and insurance companies can query the submitted information and contact consumers who are seeking coverage. Pursuant to Chapter 32, Subchapter D, Texas Insurance Code (Senate Bill 611, 80th Texas Legislature, Regular Session), TDI expanded Helpinsure.com in 2008 to include sample rates, a comparison shopping feature, and a policy comparison worksheet for personal automobile and residential property insurance.
TDI is in the process of implementing a Market Connection feature that will be available through Helpinsure.com. Market Connection is designed to connect consumers seeking coverage with agents and companies. Market Connection will enhance the existing Helpinsure.com website by adding personal automobile and various commercial lines of insurance to the company and agent/agency (agent) provider lists and consumer questionnaire functions. Market Connection will be implemented in three phases:
1. Phase 1: Company and agent profiles will initially be populated based on information contained in existing TDI databases. Company profiles will include contact information and the marketing status of certain lines of insurance. Agent profiles will include contact information. Companies and agents may begin the process of providing information for Market Connection by following the instructions contained in this bulletin.
2. Phase 2: The consumer search function by insurance coverage category will be added. This function will allow consumers to search for companies and agents offering specific types of insurance.
Projected date available: February 12, 2010.
3. Phase 3: Consumers will complete and submit online questionnaires by insurance coverage category for agents and/or companies to query.
March 1, 2010.
How Market Connection will work:
- Consumers will be able to complete and submit an online questionnaire regarding the risk details and the type of coverage they are seeking. The questionnaire will include a disclaimer informing the consumer that submission of the questionnaire will not guarantee an offer of insurance coverage. TDI will maintain information submitted by consumers for 45 days.
- Companies will identify the types of insurance coverage categories they offer. Consumers will then be able to query for a list of companies that offer a particular type of insurance coverage. The query results will include a disclaimer to consumers that there is no guarantee an insurance policy will be offered. Companies will be responsible for updating contact information and marketing status.
- For commercial lines of insurance, the initial list of companies offering coverage will only include companies that have made form filings with TDI in the three years prior to the date Market Connection is activated. Upon registration with TDI, a company will be able to review its contact information and update the marketing status online for all lines of insurance included in Market Connection or opt out of Market Connection.
- For personal automobile insurance, the initial list of companies offering coverage will only include companies reporting private passenger automobile sample rates and other data pursuant to Chapter 32, Subchapter D, Texas Insurance Code. Company representatives will be able to contact the system administrator directly at PCMarketConnection@tdi.state.tx.us to update their contact information and marketing status.
- Agents will be able to maintain contact information and marketing status by identifying the insurance coverage categories they offer. The information will be used to provide a list for consumers to search for agents by insurance coverage category. The query results will include a disclaimer to consumers that there is no guarantee an insurance policy will be offered.
- Agents with missing or incorrect information in TDI's licensing database will not be able to set up an account for Market Connection until the information is corrected. To update missing or incorrect information, agents may contact TDI's Agent Licensing Division at 512-322-3503 or by e-mail at license@tdi.state.tx.us.
- Companies and agents will query consumer questionnaires by insurance coverage category via restricted access.
- Companies and agents will be responsible for protecting their account authorization. Once a company has registered and an agent account has been established, a designated company representative or agent will update the contact information and marketing status. The representative will be obligated to monitor the account to keep the marketing information current. If there is no activity on an account for 90 days, the account will become inactive. However, the next time the representative logs in, the representative will receive an e-mail with a link to reactivate the account.
Instructions:
Companies: TDI requests that the attached insurer registration form be completed and submitted to the Personal and Commercial Lines Division via:
- E-mail to PCMarketConnection@tdi.state.tx.us;
- Fax to 512-490-1014; or
- Mail to P.O. Box 149104, MC 104-PC, Austin, TX 78714-9104.
Important note: A separate registration form is necessary for each company NAIC number within a group.
Agents: TDI requests that each agent or agency set up an account by accessing the link below and following the steps provided:
http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/licensing/agent/index.html
TDI requests that the above actions be taken by January 20, 2010.
Questions about Market Connection may be e-mailed to: PCMarketConnection@tdi.state.tx.us or you may contact Mark Worman, Manager, Commercial Property/Casualty Section at 512-305-7544.
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Marilyn Hamilton, Associate Commissioner
Property & Casualty Program
Insurer Registration Form