News of Interest

• Private Passenger Application Revised – Effective 09/01/08 - The West Virginia Insurance Commission has approved a revised version of the Personal Auto Policy (PAP January 2005 version) and related endorsements be used on all WVAIP policies beginning September 1, 2008. In conjunction with these changes, a new manual distribution (WV 2008 Revision 002) has been issued effective September 1, 2008. Below is a summary of the manual changes: 

  • Rule 20 is amended to clarify the definition of a trailer.
  • Rule 27 is amended to introduce the option of excluding coverage for public or livery conveyances and to revise the premium development provisions.
  • Rule 31 is deleted in its entirety, as it is no longer necessary because audio, visual, and data electronic equipment coverage is automatically provided under the physical damage provision of the PAP with no additional charge.
  • Rule 32 is amended to (1) reflect the option to exclude coverage for autos furnished or available for the insured’s regular use, (2) state that coverage may be purchased for a resident relative of the named individual, and (3) clarify and simplify the rule.
  • Rule 33 is amended to (1) clarify that the physical damage rates for trailers and camper bodies are developed on an actual cash value basis and (2) introduce a comprehensive and collision rate for all trailers, other than travel trailers or camper trailers.

  Due to these rule changes, revisions have also been made to the West Virginia private passenger application. The revised version of the application will be available both through EASi and to be downloaded as a plain paper version through our Forms Library beginning September 1, 2008.

• Liberty Mutual Terminates Servicing Carrier Agreement Effective (01/08) Liberty Mutual Insurance Company has recently terminated its Commercial Automobile Insurance Procedure (CAIP) Servicing Carrier agreement with the West Virginia Plan and will no longer receive commercial assignments effective January 1, 2008.  As a result, New Hampshire Insurance Company will receive all WV Plan commercial assignments beginning January 1, 2008 and until such time that an additional servicing carrier can be selected by the WV Governing Committee to service Plan commercial assignments.  After this date Liberty Mutual will non-renew existing commercial business as of the next expiration date of the policy and if the insured is unable to obtain coverage in the voluntary market, they may reapply to the Plan and will be reassigned to a newly designated company.

• Auto Service Operations Coverage to be Eliminated (10/01/07) The West Virginia Insurance Commission has approved a filing to be effective October 1, 2007 that will make auto service operations (auto repair shops, service stations, storage garages, public parking places, and tow truck operators) ineligible for the Garage Coverage Form through the WV Plan. Auto exposures of auto service operations will continue to be eligible for coverage under a Commercial Auto Policy issued by WVAIP, however, the nonauto exposures of service operations will need to be written through a Commercial General Liability Policy, which is not available through the WVAIP. A revision to the WV Plan Manual will be released in the near future to incorporate these changes and revised commercial/truckers and garage applications will be available beginning October 1, 2007 in the Forms Library.

• Plain Paper Application Forms Revised (May 1, 2007) The plain paper versions of the private passenger/motorcycle, commercial/truckers, and garage applications have been reformatted to mirror our EASi applications. If you have any of the older format applications in your office, please destroy and begin using the newly formatted applications immediately.

• Revised Commercial Liability and Physical Damage Rates (2/12/07)  The West Virginia Insurance Commission has approved a revision of commercial automobile liability and physical damage rates for risks insured through the West Virginia Automobile Insurance Plan.  The new rates are effective on April 1, 2007 for new policies and May 1, 2007 for renewals.  Refer to AGN(WV)06-59  for complete details.

• Plan Manual Updates
  In order to receive updates of the Plan manual, Important Notices, and Circulars, your subscription to the Plan must be renewed every year. Producers who fail to maintain their subscription run the risk of not receiving the above documents. In lieu of maintaining a subscription to the paper manual, you may choose to access and/or download these documents free of charge on this website. You may also choose to sign up for a free automated service that e-mails you whenever AIPSO updates the manual by using the sign-up page provided on this website. Should you need to check or verify whether you are currently signed up to receive your Important Notices or Circulars, you may call Mail Order Management at (401) 942-9799. Please be prepared to provide your name and/or agency name and producer license number.