On Monday, November 11, 2010, the California Department of Insurance (CDI) issued a Notice of Workshop Regarding Affinity Groups Under California Insurance Code Section 1861.12.

The Workshop, scheduled for Friday, December 3, 2010, in San Francisco, deals with group rating programs and the likely need for regulations defining the term “group” for eligibility under Section 1861.12, “which is a part of Proposition 103 and authorizes insurers to issue property and casualty 'insurance coverage on a group plan.'”

Section 1861.12 does not define the term “group” and does not specify the conditions as to when insurance may be issued on a group plan.

Barger & Wolen notes that the issue as to “what is a group?” is of major importance to insurers that have submitted group rating plans. It is likely that the CDI will issue regulations with respect to the usage of those plans, and those regulations will likely continue the present policy of ensuring that all of the coverage offered by group members be available and offered to all insureds.

The notice sets forth 13 areas that the CDI will address at the workshop and invites written comments to be submitted prior to the close of business on December 3, 2010...