How to Examine or Receive Copies of Public Documents

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Available Information

The Insurance Department's Public Documents Room ("Public Room") maintains hardcopy records, subject to retention requirements, that include insurance rate and policy form filings and insurance company financial statements. These documents are on hand for public review and copying (see "Copy Requests" below).

As of April 2008, all approved rate and form filings are located on the department website. Enter the name of the company or the type of insurance and search. Documents prior to 2008 may no longer be available due to the record retention period.

Additionally, computers are available for use free of charge in the Public Room to review System for Electronic Rate and Form Filing ("SERFF") materials and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") Consumer Information Source ("CIS") documentation. Public Room visitors are able to download available SERFF and CIS data to a compact disc (CD) from these computers; however, they will not be able to print any such documentation. The public may bring in their own CDs or purchase CDs from the department for a minimal cost (see "Fees" below). For a detailed description of what is available through CIS, please visit the NAIC website.

Hours of Operation

The Public Room's hours of operation are Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 pm.

Appointments

Appointments to visit the Public Room should be scheduled and confirmed 24 hours in advance. To schedule an appointment, you may either:

Call (717) 787-0877 for rate and form filings or financiral information; or

Submit the Public Room Appointment Request Form (PDF) by email (ra-in-public@pa.gov) or Facsimile at (717) 787-8555.

The form may also be mailed to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Bureau of Administration, Public Room, 1326 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120. The department attempts to accommodate all requests; however, if the number of requests for a particular date exceed resources available to properly assist visitors, an alternative date may need to be selected.

When scheduling an appointment to review documents, visitors should be able to identify the specific documents they would like to review, including the company name - not group name (required), NAIC number (required), line of business and sub-line of business (if applicable), action date of a filing, filing number, product name or number, financial statement (annual or quarterly).

The department will maintain 1/2 hour between appointments in order to complete all requests.

Due to space limitations, the department needs to limit each scheduled appointment to two people.

Access

The Public Room is located on the 13th Floor, Strawberry Square, 4th and Walnut Streets, Harrisburg. Upon arrival, visitors will need to register with the receptionist in Strawberry Square. Once registered, you will get access to the 13th Floor, where you can call the Public Room from the phone in the elevator lobby area.

Copy Requests

Copies of documents maintained in the Public Room may be obtained by submitting the Public Room Document Request Form. This form may be:

Emailed to ra-in-public@pa.gov

Sent by Facsimile at (717) 787-8555 or

Mailed to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Bureau of Administration, Public Room, 1326 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

All requests for copies of hardcopy documents maintained in the Public Room should be for reasonable quantities and must clearly identify the company name (not group name), NAIC number, line of business and sub-line of business (if applicable), action date of a filing, filing number, product name or number, financial statement (annual or quarterly).

Upon receipt of an appropriate copy request, the department will send the requestor an invoice for copying fees and postage and handling charges.

Requested copies will be made and mailed only after the department receives a check or money order for the amount set forth in the invoice.

At the discretion of the department, visitors may bring a portable desktop copier to copy documents in the Public Room. No original documents may leave the department.

Fees

The following copying fees apply:

$.25 per page for letter size documents

$2.00 per page for annual statements

$20.00 for certified documents, plus per page charge

5.00 per CD provided by the Department

Postage and handling will apply.

ONLY CHECKS OR MONEY ORDERS are accepted. The department cannot accept cash or take credit cards at this time. Therefore, if you visit, please be considerate and bring the appropriate form of payment.

National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Consumer Information Source

The Consumer Information Source (CIS) allows consumers to view a variety of information about insurance companies that may not be available through our Public Room.