Oct 26, 2012

PIANJ meets with DOBI

PIANJ representatives met recently with Acting Commissioner Kenneth Kobylowski and other top officials of the Department of Banking and Insurance to discuss major issues of concern to professional, independent agents in New Jersey.

PIANJ representatives discussed the role of producers when health care exchanges are implemented under the federal Affordable Health Care Act that takes effect Nov. 16, 2012. DOBI officials are examining this subject and future regulations affecting producers.

Another topic was the need for legislative action on the use of certificates of insurance. The National Conference of Insurance Legislators is developing a model law that PIANJ is pursuing for New Jersey.

Other subjects included the pending PIP reform regulations that will be published by DOBI in November. DOBI has developed these regulations to help control PIP costs and stabilize increasing auto insurance rates.

The auto insurance discussion continued on the costs to agents for placing coverage in New Jersey. PIANJ explained the progress being made by its Auto Cost Reduction Task Force on this issue, which originally stemmed from the high costs of motor vehicle reports that were being passed to on agents and consumers. The discussion expanded to include other inefficiencies in the system.

Representing PIANJ at the meeting were President Anthony F. Bavaro, CIC, CRM; Vice Presidents Stephen P. Tague, CPIA, and Glenn Tippy, CPCU, CLU; past President William R. Vowteras, CPIA; PIA National President Andrew C. Harris, CIC, CPCU, ARM, CRM, AIS; and Legislative Representative Leon Zimmerman. Joining Commissioner Kobylowski were Assistant Commissioners Bill Rader and Neil Sullivan; Director of Insurance Peter Hartt; Director of Legislation and Regulation Mary Beaumont; and Chief of Staff Christopher Hughes.