COMMONWEALTH AUTOMOBILE REINSURERS MASSACHUSETTS AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE PLAN 225 FRANKLIN STREET BOSTON, MA 02110
Pursuant to G.L. c. 175, 113H, Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR) was created to administer the following functions for the industry-operated residual market for Motor Vehicle Insurance in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. CAR is also designated as the Statistical Agent for MA Motor Vehicle Insurance by the Division of Insurance. Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Plan CAR administers the Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Plan (MAIP), which provides access to private passenger Motor Vehicle Insurance to Eligible Risks who are unable to obtain such insurance through the voluntary market, and ensures that the risks written through the MAIP are distributed equitably based on the quota share of each Member. Every company licensed to write Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance in Massachusetts is required to become a Member of CAR.¹ A Member is appointed as an Assigned Risk Company (ARC), pursuant to the Plan and Rules of Operation to issue private passenger Motor Vehicle Insurance policies assigned through the MAIP. Every licensed producer is required to be certified as an Assigned Risk Producer (ARP). Commercial Automobile and Taxi/Limousine Programs CAR manages the commercial automobile pooling mechanism of the residual market through the Commercial Automobile and Taxi/Limousine Programs. Servicing Carriers are selected to service the ceded policies of both programs, which are reviewed annually to ensure that the equitable distribution of residual market business is maintained. Members share in the pooled results based on voluntary commercial written premium. Statistical Agent In its role as Statistical Agent, CAR collects, edits, analyzes, and disseminates Massachusetts statistical data for the Division of Insurance. To verify the quality, accuracy, and completeness of the statistical database, CAR reconciles reported statistical data to company financial statements and performs an analysis that compares each company's distribution of data to the industry's distribution. Private Passenger Pool Run-Off CAR oversees the run-off of the private passenger automobile pooling mechanism which was in place through March 31, 2009. Member Companies writing private passenger business through that time will continue to participate financially in the residual market pool until Servicing Carrier ceded reserves are closed. ¹A complete list of Member Companies is available on CAR s website at www.commauto.com under About CAR/Corporate Documents.
GOVERNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2013 Mr. M. John Olivieri, Jr. Chair Mr. David H. Cochrane Vice Chair Mr. Paolo V. Abelli Ms. Carol M. Berthold Mr. William J. Cahill, Jr. Mr. Sumner D. Gilman Ms. Paula W. Gold Mr. Joseph P. Leahy, Jr. Mr. Raymond A. Lukas Mr. Robert P. Suglia Ms. Marie-Armel Theodat Mr. John P. Tierney Mr. Joseph A. Vargas J.K. Olivieri Insurance Agency, Inc. MAPFRE U.S.A. Corporation Liberty Mutual Group GEICO The Hanover Insurance Company Economy Insurance Agency, Inc. Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation Leahy & Brown Insurance and Realty Chase, Clarke, Stewart & Fontana Amica Mutual Insurance Company R. Theodat Insurance Agency, Inc. Quincy Mutual Group Vargas & Vargas Insurance AS OF JULY 1, 2014 Mr. M. John Olivieri, Jr. Chair Mr. David H. Cochrane Vice Chair Mr. Paolo V. Abelli Mr. William J. Cahill, Jr. Mr. Thomas C. DePaulo Mr. Christopher D. Dupill Mr. Sumner D. Gilman Ms. Paula W. Gold Mr. James S. Hyatt Mr. Christopher Jarrard Mr. Joseph P. Leahy, Jr. Ms. Marie-Armel Theodat Mr. John P. Tierney J.K. Olivieri Insurance Agency, Inc. MAPFRE U.S.A. Corporation Liberty Mutual Group The Hanover Insurance Company Meridian Insurance Agency, LLC EM Freedman Insurance Agency, Inc. Economy Insurance Agency, Inc. Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation Arbella Insurance Group GEICO Leahy & Brown Insurance and Realty R. Theodat Insurance Agency, Inc. Quincy Mutual Group
ADVISORY COMMITTEES Pursuant to the provisions of Article I of the Plan of Operation, the administration of Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers shall be vested in the Governing Committee. The Governing Committee has the authority to appoint standing or temporary committees from among Member Companies and any producers. In an effort to develop sound and effective policy, the Governing Committee in consultation with the Commissioner of Insurance established the following standing Advisory Committees for calendar year 2014. Actuarial Committee Budget Committee Commercial Automobile Committee Compliance Audit Committee Governing Committee Review Panel Loss Reserving Committee MAIP Steering Committee Market Review Committee Operations Committee Personnel Committee Mr. Joseph F. Cofield, Chair Metropolitan P & C Insurance Company Mr. David H. Cochrane, Chair MAPFRE U.S.A. Corporation Mr. Richard P. Jones, Chair Leslie S. Ray Insurance Agency, Inc. Mr. Jerry S. Sleeper, Chair Safety Insurance Company Mr. Paolo V. Abelli, Chair Liberty Mutual Group Ms. Lynellen Ramirez, Chair Arbella Insurance Group Mr. John V. Kelly, Chair MAPFRE U.S.A. Corporation Mr. Joseph P. Leahy, Jr., Chair Leahy & Brown Insurance and Realty Mr. Bruce A. Cregger, Chair Encompass Insurance Mr. M. John Olivieri, Jr., Chair J.K. Olivieri Insurance Agency, Inc. A current listing of Advisory Committees Membership is available on CAR s website at www.commauto.com under Committees.
PRESIDENT S MESSAGE During 2014, CAR continued to evolve and successfully responded to the challenges posed by the motor vehicle insurance marketplace. In addition, internal changes were implemented which furthered the goal of refining and creating efficiencies in CAR s operations. As in the past, these accomplishments were the product of the collaboration between CAR s talented and seasoned staff and the support of the Governing Committee and its advisory committees. This year produced a number of changes to the Rules of Operation, and those changes came from different sources. An ad hoc subcommittee considered and recommended changes to the CAR Rules governing the respective rights and obligations of Assigned Risk Companies, Servicing Carriers, Assigned Risk Producers and Exclusive Representative Producers. The Commercial Automobile Committee recommended changes to Rules 1 through 20 of the Rules of Operation in an effort to focus these Rules on the commercial pools, with Rules 21 through 40 focused on the private passenger residual market. Finally, CAR monitored the rate need for both the private passenger and commercial residual markets and received DOI approval for a 4.3% commercial rate increase. Significant changes were made in 2014 to CAR s organizational structure after a lengthy, indepth review of CAR s operations. A realignment of reporting resulted in the elimination of positions which generated an approximately 7% reduction in future employee costs while still permitting CAR to perform its critical functions for the consumer, the industry and the regulator. CAR staff also continued to focus on containing costs elsewhere, resulting in additional favorable budget savings which, when combined with the aforementioned savings in employee costs, reflect an overall 5.7% reduction in the operating budget for fiscal year 2015 when compared to fiscal year 2014. Chief among these additional savings for this year were the review and re-marketing of CAR s property and casualty insurance program, successful negotiations for a minimal health insurance renewal increase, and lower than expected building maintenance costs. CAR continues to be the appointed Statistical Agent for the Commissioner of Insurance. This central role in the collection and verification of data required for the Statistical Plans remains unchanged as CAR successfully executes this responsibility. By virtue of its many roles in the Massachusetts automobile insurance marketplace, CAR continues to enhance its relationship not only with Members and producers, but also with the Division of Insurance, which is critical to the efficient functioning of the Statistical Plans and the residual market for private passenger and commercial risks. While the successes of this year are noteworthy, CAR continues to review its operations to identify efficiencies and savings which enable CAR to maintain its excellent level of service to its constituents and at the same time minimize cost, which is ultimately borne by consumers. DANIEL R. JUDSON
CAR ACTIVITIES October 1, 2013 September 30, 2014 Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Plan (MAIP) The transition to the assigned risk plan, in concert with managed competition, accomplished a consistent reduction in the volume of risks unable to secure coverage in the voluntary market. The MAIP currently provides an outlet for 1.7% of the Massachusetts private passenger automobile insurance market, down from 4.3% just prior to implementation in 2008. During the most recent year, continued reductions were observed across all rate classes and territories. Upgrades to CAR s Producer Management Application introduced an automated process to monitor and maintain producer licenses. Conversion of CAR s vehicle identification software improved processing times for MAIP applications. Implementation of the Notice of Expiration of Policy Assignment to replace the issuance of a standard non-renewal notice clarified the threeyear assignment nonrenewal. Conversion of CAR s MAIP Placement Records Reports to a web-based application enhanced functionality for ARC system users. Finally, based on analysis of indicated rate need by the Automobile Insurers Bureau (CAR s actuarial consultant) this year s review did not support a rate change, and therefore no filing was made. The ongoing management of MAIP also involved Committee activity during the fiscal year. The Compliance Audit Committee oversaw the completion of the first HAP audit cycle, in which the audits confirm the quality of critical quota share and rate-making data elements, and confirm compliance with CAR Rules and other statutory and regulatory requirements. The MAIP Steering Committee undertook a review of billing fees and recommended a study of expenses to ensure that the current fees are appropriate. An ad hoc subcommittee recommended modifications to labor rates and times codified in the Claims Performance Standards to reflect the current competitive market environment. Finally, the Actuarial Committee updated quota share credits and extended Clean-in-Three protections. Commercial Automobile and Taxi/Limousine Programs As of August, 2014, the commercial residual market comprises approximately 18.3% of the total commercial written premium, a slight increase over the 17.0% one year ago. The Commercial Automobile Committee completed its two-year review of CAR Rules 1 through 20 to apply exclusively to the commercial residual market. Also, general modifications were made to assure that the Rules incorporate current practices of the Commercial Servicing Carrier programs. This year s commercial residual market rate filing included an extensive rewrite of CAR s Rating Manual, ensuring compliance with the requirements of CAR Rules and clarifying classification and rating procedures to enhance consistency among Servicing Carriers. Also, a revision to the Experience Rating Plan introduced an adjustment factor designed to bring the plan in balance. On May 22, 2014, the Division of Insurance approved the rewritten
Commercial Automobile Insurance Manual Rules and Rates effective September 1, 2014 and subsequent, reflecting an estimated 4.3% rate increase. Systems enhancements included the conversion of the quarterly settlement of balances cash flow system to the intranet platform, with redesigned reports to accommodate the ongoing commercial pooling mechanism and the run-off of private passenger pool. Information Technology Developments CAR implemented Polk s VINtelligence, a database product that can be accessed by numerous applications on both the mainframe and web platforms for vehicle identification number (VIN) and other vehicle-specific data. This product replaces the VISTheft package, which operates only on the mainframe platform. Weekly updates of the VINtelligence database will serve to improve the editing process and result in more accurate data for the MAIP Policy Application and the CAR Statistical System. The integration of VINtelligence into the MAIP Policy Application has already resulted in drastically improved processing time to make MAIP assignments. CAR continued a multi-year effort to move back-end edits from the mainframe platform to interactive web-based applications, allowing CAR to eliminate dual security systems and improve user functionality. This year s effort focused on conversion of the MAIP Placement Record (MPR) reporting and editing processes. These new programs offer summary, sort, and selection options which enhance users ability to monitor MPR activity, and identify and correct errors. Other Initiatives The Ad Hoc Procedures Review Subcommittee proposed modifications to CAR and MAIP Rules to clarify the responsibilities of Servicing Carriers and ERPs. The enhanced language, approved by the Commissioner of Insurance in October, addresses the review process and timeframes relative to ERP terminations. Further, the Subcommittee recommended updates to the ARP Procedures Manual, the Manual of Administrative Procedures, and the Request for Review/Relief Form, consistent with the Rule amendments. The Ad Hoc Insurance Bid Subcommittee was established to evaluate CAR s property and casualty insurance needs and to solicit competitive bids for prospective insurance coverage. The Subcommittee engaged in a thorough process of soliciting bids from independent agents, evaluating proposals from several carriers and reaching consensus on the selection of CAR s new agent and primary carrier for the next three years. CAR continued to pursue sublease options for its current space at 225 Franklin Street, and to identify potential relocation space more consistent with current needs. The Chairman directed a working group to facilitate expeditious recommendations for Governing Committee consideration. As CAR nears the end of its lease, efforts focus on securing the most economically feasible lease arrangement in light of the current market environment.
F ISCAL YEAR 2014 F INANCIAL STATEMENTS The projected financial statements reflect the ongoing commercial pooling mechanism and the run-off of the private passenger deficit. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF DEFICIT
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET Projected Fiscal Year 2014 Vs. Fiscal Year 2013 ASSETS 2014 2013 Cash and Investments $ 2,930,000 $ 13,825,402 Furniture, Fixtures and Leasehold Improvements 186,000 308,206 Capitalized Software Development Costs, net 431,000 427,172 Accounts Receivable-Miscellaneous - 1,166 Accounts Receivable-Member Company Balances 24,155,500 24,553,417 Prepaid Expense 606,000 781,073 Other Assets 177,600 177,600 Total Assets $ 28,486,100 $ 40,074,036 LIABILITIES Reserve for Unearned Premium $ 59,270,000 $ 53,546,877 Reserve for Outstanding Losses 117,701,000 112,015,610 Reserve for Defaulted Brokers 17,500 17,500 Accounts Payable-Miscellaneous 5,365,000 5,771,963 Accounts Payable-Advance Exp Assessment 5,885,400 6,238,321 Accounts Payable-Member Company Balances 21,004,000 31,860,213 Total Liabilities $ 209,242,900 $ 209,450,484 Participating Member Companies' Equity (180,756,800) (169,376,448) Total Liabilities and Members' Equity $ 28,486,100 $ 40,074,036 Unaudited Balance Sheet subject to change, reflects a projection of the September quarter for 2014.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF DEFICIT Projected Fiscal Year 2014 Vs. Fiscal Year 2013 FISCAL YEAR 2014 FISCAL YEAR 2013 Amount % Premium* Amount % Premium* Underwriting Income Premiums Written $118,980,000 $105,150,292 Unearned Premiums (Prior) $53,547,000 $47,075,918 Unearned Premiums (Current) ($59,270,000) ($53,546,877) Premiums Earned $113,257,000 $98,679,333 Underwriting Deductions Losses Incurred & LAE $88,805,000 78.4% $94,103,254 95.4% Ceding Expense $31,925,652 26.8% $27,881,646 26.5% Rate Deviation Adjustment $0 0.0% $0 0.0% Total Underwriting Deductions $120,730,652 106.6% $121,984,900 123.6% NET UNDERWRITING GAIN (LOSS) ($7,473,652) -6.6% ($23,305,567) -23.6% Miscellaneous Income (Expenses) Operating Expense ($10,580,000) -9.3% ($9,376,496) -9.5% Interest Income ($16,000) 0.0% ($13,743) 0.0% All Other Misc. Income/Expense $0 0.0% $0 0.0% Total Misc. Income (Expense) ($10,596,000) -9.4% ($9,390,239) -9.5% NET OPERATING GAIN (LOSS) ($18,069,652) -16.0% ($32,695,806) -33.1% *Percent of Earned Premium, except for Ceding & General Expense, and Rate Deviation Adjustment.