EXEMPT FILING NOTIFICATION PURSUANT TO THE INSURANCE CODE CHAPTER 5, SUBCHAPTER L, ARTICLE 5.96

Notice is given that the Commissioner of Insurance will consider a proposal made in a staff petition which seeks amendments of the Texas Automobile Rules and Rating Manual (the Manual), to adopt new and/or adjusted 2002 model Private Passenger Automobile Physical Damage Rating Symbols and revised identification information. Staff's petition (Ref. No. A-0402-12-I) was filed on April 9, 2002.

The new and/or adjusted symbols for the Manual's Symbols and Identification Section reflect data compiled on damageability, repairability, and other relevant loss factors for the listed 2002 model vehicles.

A copy of the petition, including an exhibit with the full text of the proposed amendments to the Manual is available for review in the office of the Chief Clerk of the Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, Texas. For further information or to request copies of the petition, please contact Sylvia Gutierrez at (512) 463-6327; refer to (Ref. No. A-0402-12-I).

Comments on the proposed changes must be submitted in writing no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 20, 2002 to the Office of the Chief Clerk, Texas Department of Insurance, P. O. Box 149104, MC 113-2A, Austin, Texas 78714-9104. An additional copy of comments is to be submitted to Marilyn Hamilton, Associate Commissioner, Property & Casualty Program, Texas Department of Insurance, P. O. Box 149104, MC 104-PC, Austin, Texas 78714-9104.

A public hearing on this matter will not be held unless a separate request for a hearing is submitted to the Office of the Chief Clerk during the comment period defined above.

This notification is made pursuant to Insurance Code Article 5.96, which exempts it from the requirements of the Government Code, Chapter 2001 (Administrative Procedure Act).

TRD-200202196

Lynda H. Nesenholtz

General Counsel and Chief Clerk

Texas Department of Insurance

Filed: April 9, 2002

EXEMPT FILING NOTIFICATION PURSUANT TO THE INSURANCE CODE CHAPTER 5, SUBCHAPTER L, ARTICLE 5.96 ADOPTION OF NEW AND/OR ADJUSTED 2002 MODEL PRIVATE PASSENGER AUTOMOBILE PHYSICAL DAMAGE RATING SYMBOLS FOR THE TEXAS AUTOMOBILE RULES AND RATING MANUAL

The Commissioner of Insurance, at a public hearing under Docket No. 2516 held at 9:30 a.m., March 26, 2002 in Room 100 of the William P. Hobby Jr. State Office Building, 333 Guadalupe Street in Austin, Texas, adopted amendments proposed by Staff to the Texas Automobile Rules and Rating Manual (the Manual). The amendments consist of new and/or adjusted 2002 model Private Passenger Automobile Physical Damage Rating Symbols and revised identification information. Staff's petition (Ref. No. A-0202-5) was published in the February 22, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 1351).

The new and/or adjusted symbols for the Manual's Symbols and Identification Section reflect data compiled on damageability, repairability, and other relevant loss factors for the 2002 model year of the listed vehicles.

The amendments as adopted by the Commissioner of Insurance are shown in exhibits on file with the Chief Clerk under Ref. No. A-0202-5, which are incorporated by reference into Commissioner's Order No. 02-0334.

The Commissioner of Insurance has jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to Insurance Code Articles 5.10, 5.96, 5.98, and 5.101.

This notification is made pursuant to Insurance Code Article 5.96, which exempts it from the requirements of the Government Code, Chapter 2001 (Administrative Procedure Act).

Consistent with Insurance Code Article 5.96(h), the Department will notify all insurers writing automobile insurance of this adoption by letter summarizing the Commissioner's action.

IT IS THEREFORE THE ORDER of the Commissioner of Insurance that the Manual is amended as described herein, and the amendments are adopted to become effective on the 60th day after publication of the notification of the Commissioner's action in the Texas Register .

TRD-200202148

Lynda H. Nesenholtz

General Counsel and Chief Clerk

Texas Department of Insurance

Filed: April 5, 2002