Rate & Form Filings

We review insurance policy forms and their accompanying rates to ensure that Minnesota consumers receive the protections and benefits required under Minnesota law.

The bulk of the filings reviewed by the unit fall into the categories of life, annuities, health, personal automobile, homeowners, and workers’ compensation insurance.

Annuity
Health
Life
Property & Casualty
Workers Compensation

Annuity

Procedure for expedited review of Life or Annuity Form and Rate Filing. For all companies authorized to sell life insurance and annuities in Minnesota.

Bulletin 2005-8 (.pdf)

Product Requirements
- Application Checklists: Life & Annuities (.pdf)
  Checklist for revised Minnesota Applications Requirements, Life Insurance and Annuities. It is no longer a submission requirement.
- Deferred Fixed Annuity (.pdf)
  This does not need to be submitted with your filing.
- Deferred Indexed Annuity (.pdf)
  This does not need to be submitted with your filing.
- Funding Agreement Checklist (.pdf)
- Modified Guaranteed Annuity (.pdf)
  This does not need to be submitted with your filing.
- Synthetic GICs and GICs Checklist (.pdf)
- Variable Annuity (.pdf)
  This does not need to be submitted with your filing.
Health Product Requirements
- A D and D Policy (56) (.pdf)
- Accident Only (38) (.pdf)
- Applications Checklist (.pdf)
  - Minnesota Application Requirements. Application checklist is no longer a submission requirement.
- Blanket Accident and Sickness (68) (.pdf)
  - Discretionary Group Application (.docx)
  - Discretionary Group Process (.pdf)
- Checklist Guide: Student Health Plan (.pdf)
  - This document replaces all prior Student Health Plans checklist and does not need to be submitted with your filing.
- Checklist: Credit Insurance (.pdf)
  - Minnesota adopted new rules governing rates and forms for credit life and disability insurance. You do not need to submit the checklist with your filing.
- Checklist Guide: Major Medical Coverage in Minnesota (.pdf)
  - This document replaces all prior major medical checklist and does not need to be submitted with your filing.
- Credit Involuntary Unemployment (61) (.pdf)
- Checklist Guide: Minnesota Dental Requirements (.pdf)
  - This document replaces all prior dental checklists and does not need to be submitted with your filing.
- Disability Income (.pdf)
  - This does not need to be submitted with your filing.
- Excess A and H/Stop Loss (60) (.pdf)
- Indemnity (40) (.pdf)
- Long Term Care (52) (.pdf)
- Checklist Guide: Minnesota Medicare Supplement and Select Plans (.pdf)
  - This document replaces all prior Medicare Supplement and Select Plan checklists.
- PPO Networks (.pdf)
  - Preferred Provider Organizations filing requirements.
- Qualified Long Term Care (.pdf)
  - Minnesota adopted an updated filings checklist for Qualified Long-Term Care.
- Self-Insured Political Sub. Filing Requirements (.pdf)
- Short Term Coverage (.pdf)
- Small Employer Group Plans (62) (.pdf)
- Vision (.pdf)
Life

General Instructions

Instructions, information and bulletins related to life filings.

Bulletin 2005-8 (.pdf)
Procedure for expedited review of Life or Annuity Form and Rate Filing. For all companies authorized to sell life insurance and annuities in Minnesota.

Insurance Data Report Formats (.pdf)
A description of various required reports that are not generally filed through SERFF. Includes type of report and acceptable filing format/s.

Life insurance illustrations filing guidance (.pdf)
NEW! Minnesota Statutes have established two new and separate reporting, filing and disclosure requirements related to life insurance illustrations. One is related to new SERFF filings, and the other must be filed at a specific email address. This document provides instructions on how to comply with each and includes a special email address for filings.

Minnesota Interest Rate or Mortality Table Change Standards (.pdf)
These instructions have been updated to reflect the revisions necessary effective January 1, 2013.

Product Requirements

This section includes checklists for various life insurance products.

Application Checklists: Life & Annuities (.pdf)
Checklist for revised Minnesota Applications Requirements, Life Insurance and Annuities. It is no longer a submission requirement. Revised August 2013.

Checklist: Credit Insurance (.pdf)
Effective July 1, 2009 Minnesota adopted new rules governing rates and forms for credit life and disability insurance. You do not need to submit the checklist with your filing.

Checklist: Group Life (.pdf)
November 2010. Checklist does not need to be submitted with your filing.

Checklist: Life Actuarial (.pdf)
Updated September 2010. Checklist does not need to be submitted with your filing.

Checklist: Life Individual (.pdf)
Updated November 2010. The checklist does not need to be submitted with your filing.

Checklist: Life Variable (.pdf)
Updated November 2010. Checklist does not need to be submitted with your filing.

Funding Agreement Checklist (.pdf)
Checklist updated December 2008.

Synthetic GICs and GICs Checklist (.pdf)
Checklist updated July 2009.
Property & Casualty

View General Instructions

Product Requirements

Minnesota requirements for most lines can be found using the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s (NAIC) Product Requirements Locator (PRL). The NAIC PRL is an interactive tool. For those product lines not yet included in the PRL, filers should refer to the Minnesota Property & Casualty Manual modules found here.
- Recreational Vehicles (.pdf)
  - Created May 1, 1998; updated April, 2011
- Motorhomes, Antique Vehicles (.pdf)
  - Created May 1, 1998; updated April 2011
- Auto, Collision Damage Waivers (.pdf)
  - Created August 26, 2008
Insurance Data Report Formats

Insurance Data Report Formats (.pdf) - A description of various required reports that are not generally filed through SERFF. Includes type of report and acceptable filing formats.
Workers Compensation

View General Instructions

Self-Insured Retention Policy Forms
Terrorism Exclusions

The Department will NOT approve terrorism exclusions for workers' compensation products due to the fact that the Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association (WCRA) has announced that it will continue to provide reinsurance coverage for any future terrorism losses. All workers' compensation insurers licensed in Minnesota are required to be a member of the WCRA under Minnesota Statute 79.34. According to the statute, the WCRA is required to provide 100 percent indemnification for ultimate loss sustained by its members in each loss occurrence relating to one or more claims arising out of a single compensable event in excess of the retention limit selected by the member.

If you should have any questions regarding this matter, please contact [Tammy Lohmann at (651) 296-2327.] UPDATE INFO

FAQs

These FAQs do not apply to Property & Casualty or Workers Compensation

Advertisements – Filing Fees Not Required
Company Address Changes – Filing Fees Required

If the company’s address appears on its policy forms, the following filings must be made:

New Business: A formal filing must be made advising the department of the address change and its effective date. Attach a list of all affected forms to the Supporting Documentation tab of the SERFF Filing. The list should include the form name, form number, approval date, SERFF Tracking Number, and State Tracking Number (if applicable).

Existing Business: In-force contracts must be amended to reflect the new address. An endorsement setting forth the new address must be submitted for approval and sent to all in-force policyholders, contract holders, and certificate holders. The filing description must state that all in-force contracts will be amended by the endorsement. Attach a list of all affected forms to the Supporting Documentation tab of the SERFF Filing. The list should include the form name, form number, approval date, SERFF Tracking Number, and State Tracking Number (if applicable).

Minnesota Rule Part 2605.0400 – This department does not accept bracketing of company contact information (address, phone number, logo, website, etc.).
Company Name Changes – Filing Fees Required

Minn. R. Part 2605.0400

New Business: Name changes are required to be submitted as formal filings complete with the appropriate filing fees. Attach a list of all affected forms to the Supporting Documentation tab of the SERFF Filing. The list should include the form name, form number, approval date, SERFF Tracking Number, and State Tracking Number (if applicable). This filing procedure is only applicable if the forms are identical in all other respects to the previously approved versions.

Existing Business: In-force contracts must be amended to reflect the new name. These name change endorsements must be submitted as formal filings complete with the appropriate filing fees. Attach a list of all affected forms to the Supporting Documentation tab of the SERFF Filing. The list should include the form name, form number, approval date, SERFF Tracking Number, and State Tracking Number (if applicable).

NOTE: When a name change is the result of a merger or assumption agreement the name change endorsement should not be filed until the merger or assumption has been approved by the department’s Financial Examinations – Insurance Division. Questions regarding mergers and assumptions should be directed to the insurance.commerce@state.mn.us.
Company Officer Name Changes – Filing Fees Required
For Officer Name Change filings only, filers should:
1. File cover/signature pages with the new officer name(s) and a revision date as a part of the form number in the SERFF Filing Form Schedule. Filers do not need to change the form number if the only change that the filing is making is the officer name change. Filers do need to change the form number if combining the officer name change with other form content changes.
2. Include change of officers’ names from [previous officers] to: [new officers] in SERFF Filing General Information.
3. Attach a list of all affected forms to the Supporting Documentation tab of the SERFF Filing. The list should include the form name, form number, approval date, SERFF Tracking Number, and State Tracking Number (if applicable).
Minnesota Rule Part 2605.0400 and Minnesota Statute §60A.08, subd. 5 – This department does not accept bracketing of officer signatures.
Endorsements – Restricted Use (Individual Contracts) Filing Fees Required
Endorsements that serve to correct the contract/policy at issue are not acceptable for approval. The practice of issuing endorsements to correct a contract/policy impacts readability and revising contract/policy terms and conditions in this manner will not be approved for use at issue. Companies must incorporate proposed changes within the text of the contract/policy and file for prior approval. Revised forms must be identified to indicate that a change has occurred since the prior approval. Companies may revise the form number or include a new edition date next to the form number. If the change being made to the policy is minor and does not impact other sections of the policy, you may file just the affected page or pages.

Endorsements used with in-force contracts/policies:
- Identify the contract/policy to be amended by form number and include the approval date and SERFF tracking number.
- If provisions within the contract/policy are being revised, provide a red-lined copy of the original form, highlighting the changes.
- Explain why the endorsement is necessary and how it enhances the contract/policy. Endorsements that eliminate benefits or increase costs within an approved form are unacceptable.
Filing Certifications

All new filing submissions must contain a certification that the filing submission is in compliance with all statutes and administrative rules. A separate filing certification form is not required. Instead, please incorporate your certification language under the General Information tab within your SERFF filing.

Language similar to the following will be acceptable:

“I certify that I have reviewed the contents of this filing, and all applicable Minnesota statutes and administrative rules prior to its submission. I understand that if this filing does not comply with Minnesota statutes and administrative rules, the Minnesota Department of Commerce may take administrative action, including levying of fines against the company.”
Group Filings

When submitting a group filing in SERFF you should complete the Market Type field as Group and the Group Market Type as Employer or Association, whichever is applicable. For Association filings you must submit a copy of the association’s constitution or by-laws demonstrating that the requirements of Minn. Stat. §60A.02, subd. 1a have been met. These documents should be attached to the SERFF filing on the Supporting Documents tab.
Life Policy Illustrations – Filing Fees Not Required

Minn. Stat. §§61A.70 – 61A.745: Appointments and changes of illustration actuaries, as well as the required annual illustration certifications, must be submitted to the Department via SERFF. When submitting annual illustration certifications, please select “Annual Illustration Certifications” as the TOI. When submitting an appointment or change of illustration actuary, please select “Appointment or Change of Illustration Actuary” as the TOI. There are no SERFF filing fees for these submissions. Any questions regarding this topic are to be emailed to insurance.actuary@state.mn.us.
Matrix Language
Medicare Supplement

Minnesota's Medicare Supplement Form, Rate Filing and MACRA Conformity Webinar | June 11, 2019

The department provided issuers a review on Medicare Supplement plans during a webinar presented on June 11, 2019. This webinar included an overview of Minnesota’s Medicare Supplement coverages, laws and filing rules. In addition to the review, the Department also provided an overview of Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and the recent legislation passed during the 2019 legislative session to show conformity with the Federal requirements. While the Department is making this presentation publicly available, this is meant only to be a guide to assist you with your product filings. This document is in no way exhaustive or a complete statement of all requirements and provisions that might be applicable, and does not replace the form compliance review process. Please note that the power point presentation may only include part of an applicable law or regulation. Therefore, issuers should refer to all relevant Minnesota Statutes and Rules as well as applicable Federal law in developing product filings that they submit to the Department for approval. This tool is not a legal document, nor used by enforcement. To the extent the provisions in this Checklist Guide conflict with state or federal law, companies making filings should comply with the language of state or federal law. This document is a representation of general provisions and should not be construed as a legal opinion or advice.
Memorandum of Variability (MOV)/Statement of Variability (SOV)

Rate & Form Filings

Resources

FAQs