District of Columbia P&C Insurance Law & Regulation
The state portion of the District of Columbia property and casualty exam begins with who regulates insurance in the District and the consumer-protection rules that overlay the national coverage forms. This chapter covers the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking and its authority, unfair trade practices, and the cancellation and nonrenewal protections that apply to policies delivered in the District.
The Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking
The District of Columbia regulates insurance through the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB), led by the Commissioner. DISB issues, denies, suspends, and revokes producer licenses, reviews policy forms and rates, investigates consumer complaints, and enforces the District's insurance laws. A common exam point is that DISB, not the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Office of Tax and Revenue, licenses property and casualty producers and regulates insurers doing business in the District.
Unfair Trade Practices and Producer Conduct
The District's unfair trade practices law prohibits misrepresenting policy terms, false or misleading advertising, unfair discrimination between similar risks, defamation of an insurer, coercion, and unfair claim settlement practices. Rebating, giving any part of the premium or commission or other valuable consideration as an inducement to buy, is prohibited. Premiums a producer collects are held in a fiduciary capacity and must not be commingled or converted. Violations can bring fines and license suspension or revocation by DISB.
Cancellation and Nonrenewal Protections
District law limits how and when an insurer may cancel or nonrenew personal auto and homeowners policies and requires advance written notice so the insured can arrange replacement coverage. Once a policy is past its initial underwriting period, mid-term cancellation is generally allowed only for defined reasons such as nonpayment of premium, fraud or material misrepresentation, or a substantial increase in the hazard insured against. The exact notice day-counts are set by statute and can change; confirm the current figures with DISB before relying on a specific number.