Chapter 8 Flashcards

1
Q

what is government regulation of insurance ?

A

state and federal

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2
Q

what is the National Association of Insurance Commissioners?

A

provides expertise, data and analysis for insurance commissioners to effectively regulate the industry and protect consumers

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3
Q

when was the NAIC founded?

A

in 1871

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4
Q

what is governed by the chief insurance regulators from the 50 states, DC and five US territories to coordinate regulation of multi-state insurers?

A

the NAIC

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5
Q

what did the McCarran-Ferguson Act of 1945 do?

A

established that insurance should be regulated and taxed by the states

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6
Q

what did the McCarran-Ferguson Act of 1945 say about anti-trust laws?

A

anti trust laws do not apply to insurance (with some exceptions)

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7
Q

what act eliminated barriers between insurers and banks?

A

Financial Modernization Act of 1999 (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act)

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8
Q

what act said insurers can have banking operations and banks can have insurance operations?

A

Financial Modernization Act of 1999

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9
Q

what act led to several mergers and acquisitions (Travelers and Citigroup)?

A

Financial Moderation Act of 1999

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10
Q

what act is frequently cited as a contributor to the financial crisis?

A

Financial Modernization Act of 1999

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11
Q

what did the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 do?

A

established general federal oversight of the insurance industry

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12
Q

what act created the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC)?

A

Dodd-Frank Wall

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13
Q

who has the authority to treat systemic risk?

A

financial stability oversight council

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14
Q

who can classify non-bank financial companies as “systemically important financial institutions”?

A

financial stability oversight group

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15
Q

what are the goals of insurance regulation?

A

-maintain insurer solvency
-educate consumers
-ensure reasonable rates
-make insurance available

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16
Q

what are worthless if the insurer goes bankrupt?

A

insurance contracts

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17
Q

why do we educate consumers?

A

prevent unethical insurers or agents from taking advantage of consumers

18
Q

why do we make insurance available?

A

to have fair access to insurance requirements (FAIR Plans)

19
Q

what areas are regulated?

A

-formation and licensing of insurers
-solvency regualtion
-rate regulation
-policy forms
-sales practices and consumer protection
-taxation of insurers

20
Q

what is a domestic insurer?

A

domiciled in the state

21
Q

what is a foreign insurer?

A

charter (domiciled) in another state, but licensed to operate in the state

22
Q

what is an alien insurer?

A

chartered in a foreign country, but licensed to operate in state

23
Q

what must be sufficient to offset liabilities ?

A

assets

24
Q

what is a safety net for if an insurance company goes bankrupt?

A

state guaranty funds

25
Q

what is prior-approval rate regulation?

A

rates must be filed and approved by the state before being used

26
Q

what is file and use rate regulation ?

A

rates must be filed with the state, but can be used immediately

27
Q

what are other methods to rate regulation?

A

modified-prior-approval, use and file, state made rates and no filing required

28
Q

what must be filed with the state department of insurance ?

A

policy forms

29
Q

what is the purpose of policy forms?

A

to protect consumers form misleading, deceptive or unfair provisions

30
Q

what do all states require?

A

licensing of brokers and agents
continuing education for brokers and agents

31
Q

what unfair trade practices are prohibited?

A

twisting and rebating

32
Q

what is twisting?

A

inducement of a policyholder to drop an existing policy and replace it with a new one that provides little or no economic benefit to the client

33
Q

what is rebating?

A

practice of giving an individual a premium reduction or some other financial advantage not stated as an inducement to purchase the policy

34
Q

what do insurers pay on gross premiums received from policyholders?

A

state tax

35
Q

what is market conduct?

A

refers to the marketing practices of insurers and agents that involves interaction with insureds. claimants or consumers

36
Q

what are examples of market conduct?

A

sales of insurance policies, advertising of insurance products, underwriting and rating

37
Q

who conducts examinations of insurers?

A

state departments of insurance

38
Q

what does market conduct examinations protect consumers from?

A

-sale of unsuitable insurance products
-misrepresentation of coverage
-excessive sales pressure
-rates that are unfairly discriminatory
-denial of legitimate claims
-improper termination of policies

39
Q

what are arguments for federal regulation?

A

-decrease compliance costs
-increase competition
-increase innovation
-more effective negotiation of international insurance agreements
-more effective treatment of systemic risk

40
Q

what are the arguments for state regulations?

A

-Needs of each state are different
-Federal regulation in historically inefficient
-Transition to federal would be costly and require dual regulation for a short time
-The national association of insurance commissioners already advocates for uniformity
-Insurers can innovate by experimenting in different states
-Unknown consequences of federal regulation