S.D. GOV SIGNS FILE-AND-USE BILL:

As expected, South Dakota Gov. Michael Rounds, a Republican, has signed a bill that converts personal lines rate filings from prior approval to file-and-use. South Dakota is the first state to do so this year. The bill also exempts large commercial carriers from filing requirements. With enactment of SB 37, South Dakota becomes the 20th state (including the District of Columbia) with a file-and-use system for rate filings. However, many of these states require that companies wait a period of time, typically 30 days, before they can start using the product, according to the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies. Currently, 21 states still require prior approval of rates and forms, and the remaining nine states allow companies to start using new products before filing them with the department of insurance.