Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 09-02-075.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Title insurance rate filing and reporting rules and procedures.

     Hearing Location(s): Insurance Commissioner's Office, 5000 Capitol Boulevard, TR 120, Tumwater, WA 98504-0255, on April 27, 2010, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: April 28, 2010.

     Submit Written Comments to: Jim Tompkins, P.O. Box 40258, Olympia, WA 98504-0258, e-mail jimt@oic.wa.gov, fax (360) 586-3109, by April 26, 2010.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Lorrie [Lorie] Villaflores by April 26, 2010, TTY (360) 586-0241 or (360) 725-7087.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposed rules will:

     1. Establish the information required for the filing of rates for title insurance under RCW 48.29.147;

     2. Establish standards for title insurance rate filings to satisfy RCW 48.29.147;

     3. Identify statistics that title insurance agents must collect and report to the title insurers that have appointed them, in order that the insurers can file accurate and appropriate expense data to support their rate filings;

     4. Identify title insurance statistics that title insurers and title insurance agents must collect and report to the commissioner in order for the commissioner to determine whether the title insurance rates comply with chapters 48.143 and 48.147 RCW;

     5. Establish a date by which title insurers must file every manual of rules and rates, rating plan, rate schedule, minimum rate, class rate, and rating rule, and every modification of any of these filings under RCW 48.29.143 and 48.29.147;

     6. Require title insurers to file rates and forms through the system for electronic rate and form filing (SERFF).

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: RCW 48.29.140 was amended and RCW 48.29.143 and 48.29.147 were enacted by the 2008 legislature. These statutes amend and change the manner in which title insurers file title insurance rates with the commissioner and provide that the commissioner will establish a date for the change from the current rate filing system to the new system under these new statutes.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 48.02.060 and 48.29.005.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 48.29.140, 48.29.143, and 48.29.147.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Mike Kreidler, insurance commissioner, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Jim Tompkins, P.O. Box 40258, Olympia, WA 98504-0258, (360) 725-7036; Implementation and Enforcement: Beth Berendt, P.O. Box 40255, Olympia, WA 98504-0255, (360) 725-7117.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. None of the authorized title insurance companies active in the state of Washington qualify as small business under the law, therefore no small business economic impact statement (SBEIS) is required as to them.

     The two primary business entity groups affected by the proposed title rate rules (R-2009-01) are title insurers and title insurance agents. None of the domestic title insurers currently active in Washington qualifies as a small business under the law; therefore no SBEIS is required with regard to them.

     There are domestic title insurance agents currently active in Washington state that qualify as small businesses under the law. However, the proposed title rate rules (R-2009-01) impose only one requirement on these small businesses - the requirement that they report by April 1 premium, policy count and expense data annually to each title insurer for which they produced business (proposed WAC 284-29A-100) using instructions called the Title Insurance Agent Annual Report to be found on the commissioner's web site.

     Subsection (2)(a) in this proposed section requires the reporting of: (a) Title insurance premiums for all of the agent's business and specifically for the title insurer to which the report is sent; and (b) the number of policies for all of the agent's business and specifically for the title insurer to which the report is sent. Accumulation of much of this information is part of normal business activity; for purposes of reporting to its underwriters title agents will necessarily track the number of policies, who they were insured with and the premiums involved. The primary new step being required will be to pull together annual totals for premiums and policies and report this information to the limited number of title insurers for whom each agent is appointed. This will constitute, at best, a minor cost as defined by the law; for title agents who must report under RCW 48.29.015 the tracking of total title orders is already necessary to meet the reporting of percentages that is required. As a less than minor cost item this does not require an SBEIS. Subsection (2)(b) in this proposed section requires reporting an expense data breakout by title insurance agents to each title insurer for which they produce business. The expenses being reported are essentially the same expense categories being tracked and reported on IRS forms commonly filed annually by these same businesses (for example, form 1120—the U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return and form 1065 U.S. Return of Partnership Income and their related attachments). As such, the accumulation of this information is part of normal business activity; reporting it to the limited number of title insurers for whom that agent is appointed will be, at best, a minor cost as defined by the law and does not require an SBEIS.

     Complying with subsection (2)(c) in this proposed section requires: (a) Filing an explanation of how expenses are allocated between title operations and escrow operations of the title insurance agent; and (b) demonstrating that expenses named in WAC 284-29A-070(1) have been excluded. Filing an explanation of how expenses are allocated requires only a logical explanation of the methodology for making that allocation for the appropriate cost items listed in proposed WAC 284-29A-110 (2)(b) and then showing the resultant totals for escrow expenses; the insurer receiving this report might request explanation if escrow expenses exceeded fees charged. This reporting step seems to require only a little extra time and therefore should be only a minor cost item under the law. Demonstrating that expenses named in WAC 284-29A-070(1) have been excluded from rate setting requires a demonstration that fees have been paid covering the full cost of such expenses; assuming a title agent is complying with the law, this accounting should again be well within the "minor cost" threshold found in the law.

     A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Jim Tompkins, P.O. Box 40258, Olympia, WA 98504-0258, phone (360) 725-7036, fax (360) 586-3109, e-mail jimt@oic,wa.gov.

March 23, 2010

Mike Kreidler

Insurance Commissioner

OTS-3069.1

     (1) Standards for determining whether a premium rate complies with RCW 48.29.143;

     (2) Standards and procedures that apply to RCW 48.29.147;

     (3) The date after which title insurers must use rates that have been filed and approved under RCW 48.29.147; and

     (4) Requirements for submitting all rate filings through SERFF.

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     "Commitment" means the same as in RCW 48.29.010 (3)(c).

     "Complete filing" means a package of information containing rates, supporting information, documents and exhibits submitted to the commissioner electronically using the system for electronic rate and form filing (SERFF).

     "Date filed" means the date a complete filing has been received and accepted by the commissioner.

     "Filer" means a person, organization or other entity that files title insurance rates with the commissioner for a title insurer.

     "NAIC" means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

     "Objection letter" means correspondence created in SERFF and sent by the commissioner to the filer that:

     (a) Requests clarification, documentation or other information;

     (b) Explains errors or omissions in the filing; or

     (c) Disapproves the filing under RCW 48.29.147.

     "Policy" means a title policy as defined in RCW 48.29.010 (3)(a), and includes endorsements.

     "Producer" means:

     (a) A "producer of title insurance" as defined in WAC 284-29-205(8); and

     (b) An "associate of producers" as defined in RCW 48.29.010 (3)(f).

     "Rate" or "rates" means all classification manuals, rate and rule manuals, rating plans, rating schedules, minimum rates, class rates, and rating rules that title insurers must file under RCW 48.29.147.

     "SERFF" means the system for electronic rate and form filing. SERFF is a proprietary NAIC computer-based application that allows insurers and other entities to create and submit rate, rule and form filings electronically to the commissioner.

     "Title insurance agent" or "agent" has the same meaning as in RCW 48.17.010(15).

     "Title insurance" has the same meaning as in RCW 48.11.100.

     "Title insurer" means a title insurance company authorized to conduct title insurance business in this state under chapter 48.05 RCW.

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     (2) Title insurers must submit the rate filings required under RCW 48.29.147 and subsection (1) of this section to the commissioner by September 1, 2011, for rates to be effective on January 1, 2012. This rule allows the commissioner time to take final action on rates filed under this chapter before the effective date of January 1, 2012.

     (3) Rates filed under RCW 48.29.140(2) must not be used on or after January 1, 2012.

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     (a) Each title insurer must provide credible data to support the proposed rates. If credible data are not available, the title insurer must provide supporting documentation that describes its process for developing the proposed rates and demonstrates that they meet the requirements of RCW 48.29.143.

     (b) Data used to support the proposed rates should be from the state of Washington. If data from other states are used, the title insurer must explain why those data are similar to what would be expected in Washington.

     (2) If a title insurer proposes to use rates that are identical to the rates of another title insurer, the rate filing must include supporting information that demonstrates that the title insurer's proposed rates meet the requirements of RCW 48.29.143. It is not sufficient simply to state that the proposed rates are identical to those of another title insurer or that the rates are being filed for competitive purposes.

     (3) Under RCW 48.29.143(2), a title insurer's provision for underwriting profit must be consistent with its cost of capital. The rate filing must demonstrate that expected underwriting profit, plus expected investment income on reserves and surplus, minus expected federal income taxes corresponds to an appropriate target after-tax rate of return on the title insurer's equity or net worth.

     (4) The rate filing must provide sufficient information so that the commissioner may determine whether the proposed rates comply with RCW 48.29.147(3).

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     (1) Rating rules that provide for a waiver of the cancellation fee or reduction of the cancellation fee, after a commitment has been issued, to an amount that is less than the title insurer's, including its agents', expected average cost to issue a commitment in the geographical area covered by the rating rules;

     (2) Negotiation or bidding of price;

     (3) Rating rules that do not have a definite charge for every bracket of coverage;

     (4) Discounts not provided to all qualifying risks; and

     (5) Rating plans in which policies:

     (a) Generating higher premiums subsidize smaller policies; or

     (b) From one geographical area subsidize those from another geographical area.

     (6) A title insurer's application of more than one rate schedule to similarly situated risks in a county or defined geographical area. For example, it is unfairly discriminatory for a title insurer to use different rate schedules for business produced by different title insurance agents in a specific county.

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     (1) File rating rules that describe the specific criteria used for making the rates;

     (2) Document the rationale for each judgment rate referencing the filed rating rule;

     (3) Retain supporting documentation required under this section for at least three years following the effective date of the policy;

     (4) Make the documentation available for examination by the commissioner on request; and

     (5) Treat all similarly situated risks equitably. If a title insurer files a judgment rate that reduces the rate for a particular endorsement to a percentage of the base rate, then the title insurer must reduce the rate for all similarly situated risks that meet the same criteria. For example, if the title insurer charges an insured that meets specific criteria premium of ten percent of the base rate for the endorsement, another insured meeting the same criteria must also be charged ten percent of the base rate.

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     (a) Are prohibited from giving anything of value to any person for the referral of title insurance business;

     (b) Are prohibited from giving most things of value to persons who are in a position to refer or influence the referral of title insurance business;

     (c) Must charge and collect for the costs of providing certain listed information, services, and other items of value that title insurers and their agents give to persons who are in a position to refer or influence the referral of title insurance business; and

     (d) Are permitted to give specified things of value to producers of title insurance at no charge.

     (2) Therefore, in making rates a title insurer must not include income or expenses related to the costs of:

     (a) Giving anything of value to any person for the referral of title insurance business;

     (b) Providing information, services, and other items of value that a title company is prohibited from giving to a producer of title insurance business under RCW 48.29.210 and WAC 284-29-200 through 284-29-265; and

     (c) Providing information, services, and other items of value that the title insurer or a title insurance agent may give to producers if the title insurer or title insurance agent is paid for the information, services, or other items identified in WAC 284-29-200 through 284-29-265.

     (3) However, in making rates a title insurer may include its income or expenses related to the costs of giving permitted things of value to producers of title insurance business and the title insurer's and title insurance agents' other marketing expenses.

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     (a) Include estimates of expected nonescrow expenses;

     (b) Exclude the expected expenses described in WAC 284-29A-070(2); and

     (c) Show how those estimates were calculated and demonstrate how those estimates are connected to the proposed rates.

     (2) The expense categories that must be considered when making rates include:

     (a) Employees' salaries and wages;

     (b) Owners' and partners' salaries and wages representing reasonable compensation for personal services actually performed by owners and partners;

     (c) Employee benefits;

     (d) Rent;

     (e) Insurance;

     (f) Legal expense;

     (g) Licenses, taxes, and fees;

     (h) Title plant expense and maintenance;

     (i) Office supplies;

     (j) Depreciation;

     (k) Automobile expense;

     (l) Communication expense;

     (m) Education expense;

     (n) Bad debts;

     (o) Interest expense;

     (p) Employee travel and lodging;

     (q) Loss and loss adjustment expense;

     (r) Accounting and auditing expense;

     (s) Public relations expense; and

     (t) Other specifically identified expenses.

     (3) To support the agent commission component of rates, it is not sufficient to state the commission rate and perform calculations based on that percentage. The title insurer's rate filing must include data that supports the expense component that applies to its title insurance agents.

     (4) The supporting information required under this section may aggregate the data from agent reports received by the title insurer in one or more years under the provisions of WAC 284-29A-110.

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     (1) Maintain the tract indexes;

     (2) Search and examine the title or title to be insured;

     (3) Issue preliminary commitments;

     (4) Determine that each insured estate has been created, conveyed or modified as shown in the policy;

     (5) Evaluate coverage and amend the policy as needed with appropriate and reasonable exceptions, conditions or modifications; and

     (6) Any other direct or indirect cost associated with performing these activities.

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     (2) Each annual report required by this section must include:

     (a) The following premium and policy count data:

     (i) Title insurance premiums for all of the agent's business; and

     (ii) Title insurance premiums produced for the title insurer to which the report is sent.

     (iii) Number of policies issued by all of the title insurers with which the agent does business; and

     (iv) Number of policies issued by the title insurer to which the report is sent.

     (b) The following expense data for all of the agent's business, excluding all escrow expenses:

     (i) Employees' salaries and wages;

     (ii) Owners' and partners' salaries and wages representing reasonable compensation for personal services actually performed by owners and partners;

     (iii) Employee benefits;

     (iv) Rent;

     (v) Insurance;

     (vi) Legal expense;

     (vii) Licenses, taxes, and fees;

     (viii) Title plant expense and maintenance;

     (ix) Office supplies;

     (x) Depreciation;

     (xi) Automobile expense;

     (xii) Communication expense;

     (xiii) Education expense;

     (xiv) Bad debts;

     (xv) Interest expense;

     (xvi) Employee travel and lodging;

     (xvii) Loss and loss adjustment expense;

     (xviii) Accounting and auditing expense;

     (xix) Public relations expense; and

     (xx) Other specifically identified expenses.

     (c) An explanation that:

     (i) Describes how expenses are allocated between the title operations and escrow operations of the title insurance agent; and

     (ii) Demonstrates that the expenses described in WAC 284-29A-070(2) have been excluded.

     (3) If a title insurer does not receive a report required under this section by April 1st of each year, the title insurer must notify the commissioner by April 15th. This notice must include the name of the agent that did not send the report on time.

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     (1) The SERFF Industry Manual posted on the SERFF web site (www.serff.com); and

     (2) The Washington State SERFF Title Insurance Rate Filing General Instructions posted on the commissioner's web site (www.insurance.wa.gov).

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     (1) Filers must submit all rate filings and related documents to the commissioner electronically using SERFF.

     (2) Filers must send all written correspondence related to a rate filing in SERFF.

     (3) Each rate filing must be accurate and internally consistent.

     (4) Filers must not submit combined rate and form filings.

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     (2) If the commissioner rejects a filing and the filer resubmits it as a new filing, the date filed will be the date the commissioner receives and accepts the new filing.

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     (1) Provide a complete response to an objection letter. A complete response includes:

     (a) A separate response to each objection; and

     (b) If appropriate, revised exhibits and supporting documentation.

     (2) Respond to the commissioner in a timely manner.

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     (1) If a title insurer delegates filing authority to a third-party filer, each filing must include as supporting documentation a letter signed by an officer of the title insurer authorizing the third-party filer to make filings on behalf of the title insurer.

     (2) The title insurer may not delegate responsibility for the content of a filing to a third-party filer. The commissioner considers errors and omissions made by the third-party filer to be errors and omissions of the title insurer.

     (3) If a third-party filer has a pattern of making filings that do not comply with this chapter, the commissioner may reject a delegation of filing authority from the title insurer.

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