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Property Casualty Rate, Rule, and Policy Form Filings FAQ

Property Casualty Rate, Rule, and Policy Form Filings FAQ

Updated 10/6/26

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How can insurers submit a filing in Michigan?

    Bulletin 2008-05-INS, which has been in effect since April 1, 2009, requires the mandatory use of SERFF for submitting all insurance rate, rule and policy form filings.

    Paper filings are no longer accepted by DIFS. An insurer must contact the SERFF Team in order to find out more about establishing a SERFF account from which to submit filings.

  • What types of policy forms must be filed?

    Every insurance company and rating organization must file each new and revised policy form and endorsement for all commercial and personal lines of insurance, unless they are properly exempted from filing pursuant to MCL 500.2236(8). Commercial types of insurance can be exempted from filing pursuant to MCL 500.2236(8)(e) by placing a prominent disclaimer on the policy form noting that the forms are exempt from filing.

  • For what type of policy forms is a readability standard required?

    Readability standards apply to all personal lines insurance forms. Pursuant to MCL 500.2236(3) the policy forms with attached endorsements must have a readability score equal to or higher than 45. The SERFF Filing Rules tab, Requirement category "POLICY FORMS / ENDORSEMENTS" explains that you must include the readability score for every personal lines insurance form in the Form Schedule Tab. DIFS has not identified an approved readability testing software or product, therefore each insurer should utilize a readability software product that it understands would measure its policy forms in a manner that is substantially similar to the statute and would produce equivalent scores.

  • What types of rates and rules must be filed?

    An insurer must file rule and rate manual pages for every type of commercial and personal lines insurance coverage that it writes, unless the type of coverage is properly exempted from filing pursuant to MCL 500.2401(2) and/or MCL 500.2601(3). When an insurer exempts from filing the policy forms for a specific type of commercial insurance coverage pursuant to MCL 500.2236(8)(e), then the rules and rates for that coverage are also exempt from filing pursuant to MCL 500.2401(2)(d) and MCL 500.2601(3(f), except for workers compensation coverage.

  • What other information must be submitted in a SERFF filing?

    The insurer should complete all rule / rate, policy form, and supplemental information tabs contained in SERFF providing generally requested premium and loss data, rate indications, actuarial data, and revised policy form provision comparisons. The SERFF Filing Rules tab contains applicable filing requirements for each type of filing.

The answers provided are not meant to be a substitute for legal advice.