Bulletin 2012-04 Notice of Tentative Credit Accident and Health Insurance Rates and Opportunity to R

South Carolina NIKKI R. HALEY Governor Department of Insurance Capitol Center 1201 Main Street, Suite 1000 Columbia, South Carolina 29201 Mailing Address: P. O. Box 100105, Columbia, SC 29202-3105 Telephone: (803) 737-6160 BULLETIN NlTMBER 2012-04 TO: Insurers Writing Credit Accident and Health Insurance in South Carolina in Conjunction with Consumer Credit Transactions subject to S.c. Code § 37-1-101 et seq., the South Carolina Consumer Protection Code, Other Than Loans Made Under 1966 S.c. Act No. 988, Consumer Finance Law FROM: Gwendolyn I/Mr;;fJfifr;I..~,~_a ~ Acting Dir~iUW" ?'7/r SUBJECT: Notice of Tentative Credit Accident and Health Insurance Rates and Opportunity to Request a Hearing DATE: July 31,2012 I. NOTICE OF TENTATIVE CREDIT ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE RATES Regulation 69-11.1, Regulation of Credit Insurance, requires the South Carolina Department of Insurance to promulgate tentative rates for credit accident and health insurance by August 1 of each year. The tentative rates are those the Department believes may reasonably be expected to produce a loss ratio of not less than fifty percent (50%) in the following calendar year. This bulletin constitutes official notice of the tentative rates for 2013. The Department has reviewed the last several years' experience for credit accident and health insurance written in conjunction with consumer credit transactions subject to the Consumer Protection Code and not including credit accident and health insurance written in conjunction with loans subject to the Consumer Finance Law. The aggregate loss ratio for credit accident and health insurance at the prima facie rates are: forty seven percent (47.0%) in 2011, fifty and one tenth percent (50.1%) in 2010, and fifty-one and five tenths percent (51.5%) in 2009. With the current year experience producing an aggregate loss ratio of approximately forty seven percent (47%) and a weak but growing national economy, the tentative rates proposed for 2013 for 14-day Retro and 30-day Retro coverage remain unchanged from the 2012 rates. What follows are the tentative single premium rates per $100 ofinitial indebtedness proposed for 2013 for both types of insurance. Period 14-Da Retro 30-Da Retro 12 Months $1.70 $1.60 24 Months 2.30 2.20 36 Months 2.90 2.80 48 Months 3.40 3.30 60 Months 3.90 3.80 4.30 4.20 72 Months ~--------~~~----------~~------------~ ths 4.70 4.60 5.00 4.90 5.30 5.20 5.60 5.50 5.90 5.80 144 Months 6.10 6.00 156 Months 6.30 6.20 168 Months 6.50 6.40 180 Months 6.70 6.60 For periods that do not equal an integral number of years, the rates may be interpolated to the upper quarter of a year with finer interpolations permitted to the equivalent of the nearest month. For example, the rates for a period from 0 to 3 months for the 14-day plan would be one-fourth of$1.70 or $0.43. Rates for policies of credit accident and health insurance where the premiums are paid other than on a single premium basis must be actuarially equivalent with the rates specified above. The Department will not approve rates that deviate from the prima facie rates except where such rates are actuarially equivalent. II. OPPORTUNITY FOR A HEARING Regulation 69-11.1.D.(5) provides that "every insurer which feels aggrieved by any of the rates so promulgated shall have fifteen days to request a public hearing with respect to such rate or rates." Accordingly, all requests for a hearing must be submitted to the Department in writing on or before August 15,2012. Please direct any requests for a hearing to the attention of: Steve DuBois South Carolina Department ofInsurance Post Office Box 100105 Columbia, South Carolina 29202·3105 All requests must include documentation supporting your position that the tentative rates for credit accident and health insurance need to be changed. After all such hearings have been held, the final rates or an affirmation ofthe tentative rates shall be sent to all companies before October 1, 2012. III. QUESTIONS Any questions or concerns about this Bulletin should be submitted in writing to the attention of: Andrew Dvorine, ASA, MAAA Life Actuary South Carolina Department ofInsurance 145 King Street, Suite 228 Charleston, South Carolina 29401 Facsimile: (843) 722-6105 E-mail: advorine@doi.sc.gov Bulletins are the method by which the Director of Insurance formally communicates with persons and entities regulated by the Department. Bulletins are departmental interpretations of South Carolina insurance laws and regulations and provide guidance on the Department's enforcement approach. Bulletins do not provide legal advice. Readers should consult applicable statutes and regulations or contact an attorney for legal advice or for additional information on the impact of that legislation on their specific situation.