Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the current revision dates for DC paper applications?
   private passenger   10/08 
   commercial             2/08 
   garage                    5/07
    
2. How do I order applications/manuals?
   You can print a copy of the supply order form and mail along with a check or money order to the address shown or you can call mail order management at (401)942-9799 to order using a credit card.  Express Mail delivery is also available. You may also download both the manual and applications from our website (http://www.aipso.com/dc).
    
3. How do I bind coverage?
   A completed application, with check, and mailed with a U.S. postmark no later than the next working day not including weekends or holidays after the application is written will ensure that coverage is bound.  See Section 616 of the DC Plan Manual for further mailing instructions.
    
4. What do I send to the Plan?
   - two copies of the fully completed application or only the original if using EASi
   - deposit check
   - finance agreement if applicable
   - declarations page if requesting assignment under household rule
   - supplementary vehicle schedule if necessary
    
5. What kind of deposits are acceptable?
   The deposit check must be either applicant's check, certified check, bank check, or money order payable to the DCAIP.
    
6. What payment options are available to the insured?
   Either full annual premium or 25% deposit with 5 installments of 15%.  Full annual premium is required on all financed applications.  Refer to Section 614 of the DC Manual for further details.
    
7. Is it acceptable if the owner/100% driver has a learner's permit?
   Yes, the Plan considers someone with a learner's permit to be a licensed operator and there need not be any other drivers listed on the policy.
    
8. Are applicants that are in the military required to hold a DC license/registration?
   In order to be eligible for the Plan, persons in the military must either have their vehicle registered in DC or be stationed in DC.  And, as long as they hold a valid driver's license in one of the states or U.S. possessions, they are eligible.
    
9. What do I do if I have a complaint against a company?
   Complete a company complaint form which is available on our website in the Forms Library or you may call the Plan (804-217-9990) to have it mailed or faxed to you.  Follow the instructions at the bottom of the form.  A customer service assistant will review and record the complaint and take appropriate action to resolve the matter.
    
10. How are SR22s filed?
    Once an assignment by computer has been made, SR22s for the District of Columbia are filed manually and mailed to the DC DMV.  SR22s required for states other than the District of Columbia are handled by the assigned company.
     
11. Do I charge points for a seatbelt violation?
    No.  The only equipment violation that is chargeable is improper brakes.
     
12. How long do I charge for points?
    Points are charged on applicable convictions and accidents that occur during the experience period, which is the 36 months immediately preceding the effective date of coverage and/or date of renewal.
     
13. Does the plan offer rating discs or quotes?
    Registered producers may access the Plan's private passenger rating engine at www.aipso.com/easi .  The rating engine is integrated with the EASi private passenger mechanism and allows producers to calculate an estimated rate for certain private passenger risks.  It is up to the individual producer to rate policies not available to be rated by the EASi rater by using the DC Plan Manual or by obtaining a rating disc from an independent vendor.
     
14. How do I notify the Plan of a change in address?
    We must receive something in writing including your tax id number, a telephone number, and your new address in order to update our files.  You may mail or fax us this information.
     
15. How do I handle vehicle additions/deletions/changes?
    A completed policy change request form along with check or money order must be mailed directly to the assigned company no later than the first working day after it is completed.  However, if an assignment has not been made at the time the policy change request is completed, the policy change request and check or money order must be mailed directly to the Plan office so that it can be forwarded to the company once an assignment is made.  See Section 621 of the DC Plan Manual for complete details.
      
16. What are the eligibility requirements for a named non-owner policy?
    The applicant must be a resident of the district who holds a valid operator's license and who does not own any vehicles titled in his/her name.
     
17. Are international licenses acceptable?
    As long as the applicant is not a permanent resident of the district, international licenses are acceptable.
     
18. What if there is a title change during the policy period?
    Any change in title would necessitate that a new policy be written.  The original policy would have to be canceled and a new application would be submitted to the Plan with corrected title.
       
19. If a commercial vehicle is added to a personal policy midterm, would this make the risk eligible for CAIP?
    The company must initially accept the vehicle addition.  The company then has the option of giving 45 days notice of cancellation or just non renewing the policy.  The producer would then complete a new application which would be assigned a commercial carrier.
       
20. What are the maximum liability limits available through the Plan?
    100/300/25 for private passenger and commercial risks unless higher limits are required by law or regulation, except for taxi risks which are only eligible to receive limits of 25/50/10. See Section 610 of the DC Manual.
     
21. Is coverage for taxi cabs available through the Plan?
    Yes, limits of 25/50/10 are available for taxi cab risks.  Please note uninsured motorists, underinsured motorists, personal injury protection, and physical damage coverages are not available for taxi cab risks.
     
22. Is comprehensive available without collision?
    No, these coverages are only offered together.
     
23. What types of risks are eligible for physical damage coverage?
    - private passenger nonfleet vehicles excluding antique vehicles
    - motorcycles
    - recreational trailers, excluding trailers used as residences (See Section 600.3 of the DC Manual)
     
24. Can rate class change during the policy period?
    Yes, refer to Rule 8 of the DC Manual.
     
25. If you have one youthful operator who drives two vehicles, do you charge the youthful class for both vehicles?
    No, you only charge the youthful class once. The youthful class should be equal to the number of youthful operators.
      
26. What if the business use class and youthful class both apply?
    Always charge the highest rated class - in this case, youthful.
     
27. Can coverage be bound with an impending storm?
    Yes.
     
28. What should a producer do when he sells his business to a new agent?
    The Plan is not involved in the transition process. The producer should complete a change of broker letter signed by himself and the new producer listing the new producer's address, telephone number, and tax identification number and send it to all companies servicing his current Plan business and to all insureds involved.
     
29. Are diplomats required to have a DC license?
    No, a State Department license is acceptable.
    
 
30. What happens when vehicles are registered in DC, but the headquarters of the company is located in another states?
    For multistate operations, the state Plan in which the operating headquarters of the risk is located shall provide the insurance.  For further details, see Section 633.10 of the DC Plan Manual.
    
 
31. What are the stipulations for applications requiring filings and limits in excess of $500,000?
    For these applications, coverage is in effect on a date specified by the applicant which may not be earlier than 15 calendar days following the Plan assignment date shown on the Notice of Designation.  For further details, see Section 616.16 of the DC Plan Manual.
      
    
32. What is EASi?
    EASi is a simple, cost effective way for producers registered by the Plan to complete and submit private passenger  and commercial automobile application data electronically to the Plan via the Internet. The resulting electronic version of the completed application can be printed in the producer's office, signed, and mailed to the Plan together with the premium deposit payment and any other supporting documentation and/or forms required by the Plan. EASi is available to the District of Columbia Plan’s producers from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday at www.aipso.com/easi .  Please note that those producers licensed to transact automobile insurance in the District must be registered by the  Plan in order to have access to EASi. To register, producers must first complete an Application to Access EASi on the EASi website – www.aipso.com/easi. The completed application, accompanied by a copy of a valid producer’s license, must be submitted to the Plan by mail or fax (804-217-9950). Once the application is approved by the Plan, the producer will receive a unique registration identification code and password with which to access EASi.
    


33. Can I view company assignment information online if I use EASi?
    Yes, any producer who uses EASi to submit private passenger applications can view prior submissions for up to 400 days from the day an application is submitted online. When viewing a prior submission, if the application has been received and processed by the Plan, producers will be able to view the assigned company’s name. You can visit our company directory online for a complete listing of company address and telephone numbers. To view assigned company information, the producer would logon to EASi and choose "Prior Applications". A list of that producer's EASi submissions for the last 30 days will appear and the producer can select a 400 days prior option as well. A link to the application will also be available and the producer has an option of reprinting the application.