The American Insurance Association’s (AIA) vice president for state affairs, Midwest region, Steve Schneider, testified before the Missouri state legislature this week in support of commercial lines modernization legislation.
The bills – SB 386 in the Senate and HB 741 in the House — would empower Missouri businesses to negotiate the terms of their insurance policies more freely and allow them to their customers more tailored policies.
Schneider testified before both the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee and the House Insurance Policy Committee.
“AIA thanks both the House and Senate Committees for hearing SB386/HB741, legislation that would significantly modernize the regulation of commercial line’s products in Missouri,” Schneider said. “Modernizing the regulation of commercial lines is long overdue in Missouri. It would better allow businesses to negotiate their insurance product purchase so that it is tailored to best fit their needs.”
He noted that the filing requirements for workers’ compensation, medical malpractice and small fleet automobile insurance would not be changed or impacted by this legislation.
“Even with respect to specialty insurance products, insurers would continue to be required to follow all other regulations governing insurance rate and coverage requirements for these lines of business,” Schneider said. “We look forward to working with policymakers and regulators following today’s hearing and advocating for modernizing Missouri’s regulation of commercial lines products.”