TITLE 28.INSURANCE

Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE

Chapter 3. LIFE, ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES

The Commissioner of Insurance adopts new §§3.1307, 3.1406, 3.4509 and 3.9101 - 3.9106, concerning the adoption by reference of the 2001 Commissioner's Standard Ordinary (CSO) Mortality Table. Section 3.9103 and §3.9106 are adopted with changes to the proposed text as published in the February 21, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 1603). Sections 3.1307, 3.1406, 3.4509, 3.9101, 3.9102, 3.9104 and 3.9105 are adopted without changes and will not be republished. A public hearing on the new sections was held on March 12, 2003.

The new sections are necessary to recognize, permit and prescribe the use of the 2001 CSO Mortality Table in determining minimum reserve liabilities and nonforfeiture benefits. Insurance Code Articles 3.28 and 3.44a authorize the commissioner to adopt any mortality table adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The table was adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in December 2002. The table reflects increases in life expectancy since the adoption of the 1980 CSO Mortality Table.

Insurers may use the 2001 CSO Mortality Table only for new policies issued after May 1, 2003. Beginning January 1, 2009, insurers will be required to use the table for their insurance products issued after that date. The new table is expected to lower reserve levels for a number of products which use the new table versus reserve levels produced by the 1980 CSO Mortality Table which insurers are currently required to use. Term insurance reserves are estimated to be 30% lower in the aggregate. Whole life insurance reserves are estimated to be 10% to 15% lower in the aggregate. Universal life and variable life products are estimated to experience a reduction in reserves of 5.0% or less. The 2001 CSO Mortality Table is available from the Actuarial Division, Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe, Austin, Texas or on the internet by accessing the department's website at www.tdi.state.tx.us/company/ficso.html. Section 3.9103 and 3.9106 were changed to reflect the correct website address where the table may be found and correct a typographical error.

Comments were received in support of the new sections. The department appreciates the support expressed for the sections.

USAA Life Insurance Company, The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, and the Texas Association of Life and Health Insurers commented in support of the new sections.

Subchapter N. NONFORFEITURE STANDARDS FOR INDIVIDUAL LIFE INSURANCE IN EMPLOYER PENSION PLANS

28 TAC §3.1307

The new section is adopted under the Insurance Code Articles 3.28 and 3.44a, and §36.001. Article 3.28 provides for the use of any ordinary mortality table adopted after 1980 by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners that is approved by regulation adopted by the commissioner for use in determining the minimum standard valuation for such policies. Article 3.44a provides that any ordinary mortality tables, adopted after 1980 by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, that are approved by regulation adopted by the commissioner for use in determining the minimum nonforfeiture standard may be substituted for the 1980 CSO Mortality Table with or without Ten-Year Select Mortality Factors. Section 36.001 provides the commissioner may adopt rules to execute the duties and functions of the department as authorized by statute.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 25, 2003.

TRD-200302014

Gene C. Jarmon

General Counsel and Chief Clerk

Texas Department of Insurance

Effective date: April 14, 2003

Proposal publication date: February 21, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-6327


Subchapter O. SMOKER-NONSMOKER COMPOSITE MORTALITY TABLES

28 TAC §3.1406

The new section is adopted under the Insurance Code Articles 3.28 and 3.44a, and §36.001. Article 3.28 provides for the use of any ordinary mortality table adopted after 1980 by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners that is approved by regulation adopted by the commissioner for use in determining the minimum standard valuation for such policies. Article 3.44a provides that any ordinary mortality tables, adopted after 1980 by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, that are approved by regulation adopted by the commissioner for use in determining the minimum nonforfeiture standard may be substituted for the 1980 CSO Mortality Table with or without Ten-Year Select Mortality Factors. Section 36.001 provides the commissioner may adopt rules to execute the duties and functions of the department as authorized by statute.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 25, 2003.

TRD-200302015

Gene C. Jarmon

General Counsel and Chief Clerk

Texas Department of Insurance

Effective date: April 14, 2003

Proposal publication date: February 21, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-6327


Subchapter EE. VALUATION OF LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES

28 TAC §3.4509

The new section is adopted under the Insurance Code Articles 3.28 and 3.44a, and §36.001. Article 3.28 provides for the use of any ordinary mortality table adopted after 1980 by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners that is approved by regulation adopted by the commissioner for use in determining the minimum standard valuation for such policies. Article 3.44a provides that any ordinary mortality tables, adopted after 1980 by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, that are approved by regulation adopted by the commissioner for use in determining the minimum nonforfeiture standard may be substituted for the 1980 CSO Mortality Table with or without Ten-Year Select Mortality Factors. Section 36.001 provides the commissioner may adopt rules to execute the duties and functions of the department as authorized by statute.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 25, 2003.

TRD-200302016

Gene C. Jarmon

General Counsel and Chief Clerk

Texas Department of Insurance

Effective date: April 14, 2003

Proposal publication date: February 21, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-6327


Subchapter JJ. 2001 CSO MORTALITY TABLE

28 TAC §§3.9101 - 3.9106

The new sections are adopted under the Insurance Code Articles 3.28 and 3.44a, and §36.001. Article 3.28 provides for the use of any ordinary mortality table adopted after 1980 by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners that is approved by regulation adopted by the commissioner for use in determining the minimum standard valuation for such policies. Article 3.44a provides that any ordinary mortality tables, adopted after 1980 by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, that are approved by regulation adopted by the commissioner for use in determining the minimum nonforfeiture standard may be substituted for the 1980 CSO Mortality Table with or without Ten-Year Select Mortality Factors. Section 36.001 provides the commissioner may adopt rules to execute the duties and functions of the department as authorized by statute.

§3.9103.2001 CSO Mortality Table.

(a) At the election of the company for any one or more specified plans of insurance and subject to the conditions stated in this subchapter, the 2001 CSO Mortality Table may be used as the minimum standard for policies issued on or after May 1, 2003 and before the date specified in subsection (b) of this section to which Insurance Code Article 3.28 §3(a)(iii) and Article 3.44a §(8)(e)(6) and §3.4505 of this title (relating to General Calculation Requirements for Basic Reserves and Premium Deficiency Reserves) are applicable. If the company elects to use the 2001 CSO Mortality Table, it shall do so for both valuation and nonforfeiture purposes.

(b) Subject to the conditions stated in this subchapter, the 2001 CSO Mortality Table shall be used in determining minimum standards for policies issued on and after January 1, 2009, to which Insurance Code Articles 3.28 §3(a)(iii) and 3.44a §(8)(e)(6) and §3.4505 of this title (relating to General Calculation Requirements for Basic Reserves and Premium Deficiency Reserves) are applicable.

(c) The minimum basis for computation of values related to extended term benefits will be the 2001 CSO Mortality Table pursuant to the requirements of this subchapter.

(d) The Commissioner of Insurance adopts by reference the 2001 CSO Mortality Table. The table is available from the Actuarial Division, Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe, Austin, Texas or on the internet by accessing the department's website at www.tdi.state.tx.us/company/ficso.html.

§3.9106.Gender-Blended Tables.

(a) For any ordinary life insurance policy delivered or issued for delivery in this state on and after May 1, 2003, that utilizes the same premium rates and charges for male and female lives or is issued in circumstances where applicable law does not permit distinctions on the basis of gender, a mortality table that is a blend of the 2001 CSO Mortality Table (M) and the 2001 CSO Mortality Table (F) may, at the option of the company for each plan of insurance, be substituted for the 2001 CSO Mortality Table for use in determining minimum cash surrender values and amounts of paid-up nonforfeiture benefits. No change in minimum valuation standards is implied by this subsection.

(b) The company may choose from among the blended tables developed by the American Academy of Actuaries CSO Task Force and adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in December 2002. These blended tables are available from the Actuarial Division, Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe, Austin, Texas or on the internet by accessing the department's website at www.tdi.state.tx.us/company/ficso.html.

(c) It shall not, in and of itself, be a violation of Insurance Code Article 21.21 for an insurer to issue the same kind of policy of life insurance on both a sex-distinct and sex-neutral basis.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 25, 2003.

TRD-200302017

Gene C. Jarmon

General Counsel and Chief Clerk

Texas Department of Insurance

Effective date: April 14, 2003

Proposal publication date: February 21, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-6327


Chapter 5. PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE

Subchapter D. FIRE AND ALLIED LINES INSURANCE

8. UNDERSERVED AREAS FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY INSURANCE

28 TAC §5.3701

The Commissioner of Insurance adopts new §5.3701, concerning the designation of the areas determined by the Commissioner of Insurance to be underserved for purposes of residential property insurance pursuant to the Texas Insurance Code Article 21.49A (FAIR Plan (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) Act)). The new section is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the Texas Register (28 TexReg 1366) and will not be republished.

The new section is necessary to designate all 254 counties of the State of Texas as the underserved areas for the FAIR Plan because it has been determined that residential property insurance is not reasonably available to a substantial number of owners of insurable property in these areas.

Several insurance companies who together write over 50% of the Texas homeowners insurance market are not currently writing new homeowners insurance policies. The largest writer of homeowners insurance in Texas with over 30% of the market, has not been writing new homeowners policies for over a year. Another large writer of homeowners insurance with approximately 20% of the homeowners market in force in Texas, is also not writing new homeowners policies. These insurers previously wrote new business in all areas of the state. Many other insurers have continued to maintain restrictions or limitations on writing homeowners insurance. According to statistics obtained from the Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas, from February 28, 2002 to February 28, 2003, there was a 184.4% increase in the homeowners premium written by surplus lines insurers, which indicates a significant increase in the writing of homeowners policies by surplus lines insurers. This increase is a clear indication that consumers are having difficulty obtaining or are finding it impossible to obtain homeowners insurance coverage through the voluntary market, and have had to obtain such coverage in the surplus lines market. In addition, approximately 5,000 homeowners insurance policies have been issued through the FAIR Plan from December 31, 2002 to March 19, 2003.

Considering all of these facts, it is clear that the consumers seeking new homeowners insurance coverage are facing difficulty in obtaining or finding it impossible to obtain homeowners insurance coverage through the voluntary market. This section is adopted to ensure that residential property insurance coverage is available to Texas residents. The adopted section designates all 254 counties of the State of Texas as the underserved areas for the FAIR Plan because it has been determined that residential property insurance is not reasonably available to a substantial number of owners of insurable property in these areas.

The Commissioner of Insurance finds that an expedited effective date of ten days after the filing date is necessary for the section because of imminent peril to the public safety and welfare. The FAIR Plan is currently issuing 220 new residential policies daily and this number is continually increasing. If the FAIR Plan is unable to issue policies because all 254 counties of the state are not designated as underserved areas this will have a detrimental impact on the public health, safety and welfare.

The new section will increase availability of residential property insurance to a substantial number of owners of insurable property in underserved areas of the state.

No comments were received.

The new section is adopted under the Insurance Code Articles 21.49A and 5.35-3, and §36.001. Article 21.49A provides that underserved areas for the FAIR Plan shall be determined and designated by the Commissioner by rule using the standards specified in Article 5.35-3 §1. Article 5.35-3 §1 provides that in determining which areas will be designated as underserved, the Commissioner shall consider whether residential property insurance is not reasonably available to a substantial number of owners of insurable property in the underserved area and any other relevant factor as determined by the Commissioner. Insurance Code §36.001 authorizes the Commissioner of Insurance to adopt rules for the conduct and execution of the duties and functions of the Texas Department of Insurance only as authorized by statute.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 24, 2003.

TRD-200301980

Gene C. Jarmon

General Counsel and Chief Clerk

Texas Department of Insurance

Effective date: April 3, 2003

Proposal publication date: February 14, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-6327