On September 2, 2026, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) issued Commissioner’s Bulletin # B-0007-26 (the Bulletin), addressed to all insurance companies and their agents and representatives, regarding the use of price optimization in ratemaking and pricing. The Bulletin defines price optimization, identifies the statutory provisions it implicates, and states TDI’s position that any use of price optimization in the ratemaking or pricing process is unfairly discriminatory and violates the Texas Insurance Code.
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John Emmanuel
John represents a broad spectrum of clients in the insurance industry, including insurance and reinsurance carriers, surplus lines insurers, captives, risk retention and purchasing groups, insurance agents, brokers, and third-party administrators. His clients value his significant industry experience and ability to deliver pragmatic advice on achieving business objectives and complying with complex regulations.
New Hampshire Scrutinizes Personal Lines Auto Cancellations
On August 12, 2026, New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner David J. Bettencourt issued Bulletin Docket No. INS 26-052-AB (the Bulletin), directed to all “personal lines automobile insurers” operating in the state. The Bulletin addresses the New Hamshire Insurance Department’s (the NHID) interpretation and enforcement of N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 417-A:5 as it relates to policy termination notices issued following an insured’s failure to make a renewal premium payment by its due date.
Read More New Hampshire Scrutinizes Personal Lines Auto CancellationsMassachusetts Prohibits Insurer Restrictions on Public Adjuster Retention
On August 7, 2026, Governor Maura Healey signed into law Chapter 187 of the Acts of 2026 (the Act), formerly Senate Bill No. 785, titled “An Act Relative to Insurance Claims.” The new law, introduced by Senator Joan B. Lovely, amends two chapters of the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 175 and Chapter 176D, to prohibit insurers, including any non-admitted or surplus lines insurers, from including in a property and casualty policy any language that restricts an insured’s ability to hire a public insurance adjuster as a condition of recovery.
Read More Massachusetts Prohibits Insurer Restrictions on Public Adjuster RetentionPennsylvania Adds Cannabis Operations and AI Coverages to Its Export List
On August 1, 2026, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (the Department) published an updated export list in the Pennsylvania Bulletin (the Export List). Under section 1604(2)(ii) of The Insurance Company Law of 1921 (40 P.S. § 991.1604(2)(ii)), the Insurance Commissioner declares the coverages on the Export List to be “generally unavailable…
Read More Pennsylvania Adds Cannabis Operations and AI Coverages to Its Export ListHawaii Insurance Division Reclassifies Pet Insurance as Property Insurance
On July 17, 2026, the State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division issued Memorandum 2026-5PC (the Memorandum) titled “Hawaii Pet Insurance” to “All Insurers Issuing Pet Insurance Products.” The Memorandum states that effective January 1, 2026, under Hawaii Act 79 (the Act), “pet insurance is now…
Read More Hawaii Insurance Division Reclassifies Pet Insurance as Property InsuranceNew York Department of Financial Services Informs Insurers of Motor Vehicle Insurance Reforms
On July 1, 2026, the New York Department of Financial Services (the NYDFS) published Insurance Circular Letter No. 3 (the Letter) regarding “2026 Motor Vehicle Insurance Reforms.” The Letter, addressed to “All Insurers Authorized to Write Motor Vehicle Insurance in New York State, the New York Automobile Insurance Plan, and Rate Service Organizations” concerns changes to the New York Insurance Law, Penal Law, and Civil Practice Law and Rules (the CPLR) relating to motor vehicle insurance as a result of Chapters 55 and 58 of the Laws of 2026 being signed into law on May 27 and May 26, 2026, respectively. The overarching purpose of the amendments was to “address drivers of rising costs affecting motor vehicle insurance premiums, including fraudulent and abusive claims practices, and to ensure that insurers obtain prior approval before increasing motor vehicle insurance rates.”
Read More New York Department of Financial Services Informs Insurers of Motor Vehicle Insurance ReformsCongress Moves to Extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act Until 2034
On June 29, 2026, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7128, “TRIA Program Reauthorization Act of 2026” (the Act). The Act concerns the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (TRIA), which was passed in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. TRIA requires commercial property and casualty insurers…
Read More Congress Moves to Extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act Until 2034Texas Department of Insurance Unveils New Online Tools for Greater Department Transparency
On June 22, 2026, the Texas Department of Insurance (the Department) issued a news release (the Release) titled “TDI Prioritizes Transparency by Making Home and Auto Data Public.” The Release explains that the Department has “created resources to give Texans access to data the agency collects about home insurance…
Read More Texas Department of Insurance Unveils New Online Tools for Greater Department TransparencyThe NAIC’s PeopleSoft Breach: A Chronology of Communications
On June 17, 2026, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) first disclosed to the public that there had been unauthorized access to its online infrastructure through its PeopleSoft systems. Over the past week, the NAIC has issued two more updates, each providing additional details and updating interested parties of…
Read More The NAIC’s PeopleSoft Breach: A Chronology of CommunicationsTexas Department of Insurance Issues Disallowed Expenses Data Call
On June 12, 2026, the Texas Department of Insurance (DOI) issued Commissioner’s Bulletin No. B-0004-26 (the Bulletin) to “[a]ll insurance companies licensed to write property and casualty insurance in the state of Texas.” The Bulletin, titled “Calendar Year 2025 Disallowed Expenses Data Call,” issues a mandatory data call under Texas…
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