Tuesday, May 24, 2016
OKLAHOMA CITY– Four insurance companies have 55 percent of the Oklahoma earthquake insurance market. The data was released at Tuesday’s hearing to determine the competitiveness of the coverage in Oklahoma. Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak called the hearing after carriers filed significant rate increases, dropped lower deductible options or decided to stop writing new earthquake insurance policies.
“My number one priority is to protect the citizens of Oklahoma,” said Doak. “Due to several factors, including market concentration and very low loss ratios, I believe the Oklahoma earthquake insurance market may not be competitive. If true, we must take action to protect consumers.”
Data Presented
OID Market Regulation Chief Brian Gabbert released the following data at the hearing:
-119 companies write earthquake insurance in Oklahoma
-1,094 earthquake insurance claims were filed from 2010-present
-208 claims, or 19 percent, were paid
-Most claim activity occurred in 2011
-Approximately half of the 208 paid claims resulted in payments less than $5,000
-Insurers collected more than $76 million in earthquake insurance premiums from 2010-2015
-Insurers paid out $4.3 million in claims from 2010-2015
-Current pure direct loss ratio for all earthquake carriers since 2010 is 3 percent
-OID has received 12 rate increase filings ranging from 4 percent to 300 percent since Aug. 2014
-Five companies have stopped writing new business since August 2014
“Companies have to be prepared for a Northridge-type earthquake,” said Joe Woods, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America. “More regulation is likely to make the market concentration situation worse because it puts more pressure on smaller companies that might just give up.”
Under state law, property and casualty rates adhere to the “use and file” system. Under the “use and file” system, insurers may implement a rate increase then notify the OID after the fact. However, if the line of business is found to be “not competitive” the rating laws revert to a “file and use” system, sometimes called a “prior approval” system, where rates must be filed and draw no opposition from the Commissioner before they can be used.
“Commissioner Doak has the full support of the Attorney General’s Office,” said Julie Bays, assistant attorney general. “Our offices work together to protect consumers and he’s done a fabulous job at that.”
Commissioner Doak will announce his decision in the next 30 days.
Earthquake Insurance Outreach
The OID is hosting earthquake outreach events across the state. At these events, consumers can speak one-on-one with an OID representative. The remaining schedule is listed below.
Perry
May 31, 3:00-5:30 p.m.
Perry Public Library
302 N. 7th St.
Woodward
June 16, 4:00-7:00 p.m.
High Plains Technology Center
3921 34th St. Room 20
Edmond
June 30, 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Edmond Downtown Community Center Banquet Room
28 E. Main St.
About the Oklahoma Insurance Department
The Oklahoma Insurance Department, an agency of the State of Oklahoma, is responsible for the education and protection of the insurance-buying public and for oversight of the insurance industry in the state.
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For more information, contact:
Kelly Dexter
405-522-0683
Kelly.Dexter@oid.ok.gov