View this article online: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2014/09/26/341694.htm
Maine regulators said this week they have expanded the online public access to approved insurance contract and rate filings submitted by insurance companies doing business in Maine.
Officials said the approved filings for property/casualty insurance, annuities and life insurance are now available online. Health insurance filings were previously available online.
As the regulator of insurance in Maine, the Bureau of Insurance reviews all insurance contract forms and rates that companies are required to submit for approval before selling insurance in the state. The filings are submitted through the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s System for Electronic Rate and Form Filing (SERFF).
Prior to the SERFF portal being made public, individuals were only able to access these filings by making an appointment and using a computer kiosk at the Bureau of Insurance office in Gardiner, Maine.
The computer kiosk at the Gardiner office will remain available to the public on a walk-in basis. The online portal can be found at www/maine.gov/pfr/insurance/SERFF.html.
“Maine state government has been recognized for excellence in online services and for making resources increasingly easy to access,” Maine Gov. Paul R. LePage said.
LePage said the Bureau of Insurance has been upgrading and expanding its online offerings. This week’s announcement continues that effort to enhance service to consumers and those in the insurance profession, he said.
“The Bureau of Insurance is committed to assisting the public in accessing and understanding insurance products,” Maine Insurance Superintendent Eric Cioppa said.
“Online access to contracts is another step toward greater transparency and expanded service for consumers,” Cioppa said. “Public documents submitted in SERFF by insurance companies are now more readily available.”