MICH. LAUNCHES AUTO RATE INQUIRY:

Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Services (OFIS) Commissioner Linda A. Watters has launched the second phase of her investigation into rising home and auto rates in Michigan. Commissioner Watters issued a letter of inquiry to insurance companies writing auto insurance policies in Michigan. Insurance companies have until March 15 to submit their data. The inquiry requires insurance companies to provide OFIS with rating information for the accident/calendar years 2001 and 2002. A copy of the letter and data call instructions are available at www.michigan.gov/ofis. A letter requiring similar information from home insurance companies was sent on Jan. 15. Companies writing home insurance policies in Michigan have until 5 p.m., Feb. 17, to submit their rating information. Any company that has not submitted the requested data by the deadline will face enforcement action. A final report analyzing the data will be issued early this summer.