The Market Conduct section of the Insurance Market Regulation Division is responsible for conducting Market Analysis, Market Conduct investigations and Market Conduct examinations.

Market Analysis is a system of collection and analysis of data that helps regulators conduct surveillance on the insurance marketplace.  Data is generally collected and trended by line of business and generally includes but is not limited to, the analysis of complaints, policy forms, premiums, losses, other regulatory actions and lawsuits.  Market Analysis helps target issues that violate Missouri statutes or regulations. 

Once an issue is identified through Market Analysis, department staff are assigned to review these issues using investigations or examinations. 

Market conduct investigations and examinations ensure equitable treatment of Missouri policyholders and compliance with Missouri statutes and regulations.  Reasons for conducting a market conduct exam or investigation include, but are not limited to; information obtained from consumers or departmental staff, high complaint indices, misleading sales practices, problems found in financial examinations or information received from other regulatory entities. 

Three methods are used to conclude examinations or investigations:

The insurer signs settlement agreements or the Director issues an order after a hearing which can include payment of fines to the state and restitution to consumers.  The department issues monetary penalties based upon statute and can increase the level of violation for knowing violations. 

A cure order is issued when the department finds errors that are not serious enough to merit fines. The order requires the company to fix the violations found in the report.

A filing order is issued when the department has found no violations.