REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Posted notice of a proposed regulation regarding unfair trade practices for valuation of motor vehicles.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Posted notice of adoption of proposed regulation to repeal regulations .01 and .02 under COMAR 31.15.09 Automobile Liability Insurance. The effective date of the regulation is October 8, 2018.  To view the regulation, go to https://insurance.maryland.gov/Pages/newscenter/RegulatoryActivity.aspx.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The insurance administration has posted notice of proposed rule amendments to Title 31 Subtitle 15 Chapter 12 Unfair Trade Practices in regard to valuation of motor vehicles.  Comments on the proposed rule were due by July 16, 2018.  To view the proposed rule, go to http://insurance.maryland.gov/Pages/newscenter/RegulatoryActivity.aspx.
• Has posted notice of proposed amendments to rule 31.15.09 regarding Automobile Liability Insurance.  Comments were due by July 23, 2018.  To view a copy of the rule, go to http://insurance.maryland.gov/Pages/newscenter/RegulatoryActivity.aspx.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Published draft proposed regulations for Title 31 Maryland Insurance Administration Subtitle 15 Unfair Trade Practices Chapter 12 Valuation of Motor Vehicles.  Comments close on July 16, 2018.  To view a copy of the draft regulation, go to http://insurance.maryland.gov/Pages/newscenter/RegulatoryActivity.aspx.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Issued bulletin 18-07 regarding cancellations of insurance policies.  During the week of May 13, 2018, Frederick and Washington Counties received unprecedented amounts of rain that caused significant damage to many properties in those counties and to the roads. Frederick and Washington Counties issued Local “States of Emergency.” Because of this weather event, daily life for many Maryland consumers has been disrupted. To avoid cancellations for personal automobile insurance, homeowners insurance, and other personal lines of insurance; commercial insurance; and life and health insurance, the Maryland Insurance Administration encourages insurers to provide reasonable accommodations, including a grace period for premium payment, to policyholders that reside in and the businesses located in the following zip codes: 21701; 21702; 21703; 21704; 21715; 21718; 21755; 21756; 21758; 21769; 21779; 21782; 21793 and 21770.  To view the bulletin in its entirety, go to  http://insurance.maryland.gov/Pages/newscenter/PropertyCasualtyBulletins.aspx.
• Issued bulletin 18-09 is issued to all Property and Casualty Insurers, The Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF), The Joint Insurance Association (JIA), Chesapeake Employers Insurance Company, All Premium Finance Companies, and All Life and Health Insurers regarding cancellations of insurance policies. To view the bulletin, go to http://insurance.maryland.gov/Pages/newscenter/PropertyCasualtyBulletins.aspx.

LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS:

Senate Bill 743

• The enacted legislation establishes a regulatory framework for peer-to-peer car sharing in the State, including insurance requirements; a sales and use tax rate of 8% for sales and charges related to peer-to-peer car sharing for two years only; and related study and/or reporting requirements for the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), and the Comptroller’s Office. The Insurance Commissioner may adopt regulations to implement the bill, as specified.  The bill generally takes effect July 1, 2018; however, safety and inspection requirements take effect January 1, 2019.  The sales and use tax provision terminates June 30, 2020.  Effective Date July 1, 2018.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Posted proposed amendments to Title31 Subtitle 15 Unfair Trade Practices Chapter 09 Automobile Liability Insurance.  The proposed regulation can be viewed at http://insurance.maryland.gov/Pages/newscenter/RegulatoryActivity.aspx.
  Comments on the proposed rule will be closed on April 30, 2018.

LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS:

House Bill 1161 and Senate 856 This bill repeals the Uninsured Motorist Education and Enforcement Fund (UMEEF) within the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and establishes UMEEF in the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF).  The bill establishes another Program to Incentivize and Enable Uninsured Vehicle Owners to Be Insured; however, the new program must be administered by MAIF (instead of MVA).  Uninsured motorist penalties collected through the program are retained by MAIF.  The bill requires MVA to notify MAIF in a certain manner when it receives notice that a vehicle has become uninsured.  Effective Date  July 1, 2018.