Procedural Updates

SMART Release Updates April 2022

The April 2022 SMART release includes additional features for Manual Filing (or Data Entry) transactions: Name Change Endorsements, and Policy Number Change Endorsements. The linked Transaction Entry User Guides can be utilized as necessary for basic entries which do not change Agent of Record or apply to continuous until canceled policies. Users may continue entering New or Renewal Policies or BindersCancellations, ReinstatementsPremium Endorsements, Audits, and Installments. Users may now search for and/or view an Insurer’s NAIC Number directly from Data Entry screens. Users may also edit primary / secondary (online filing) contact information within Broker Security. Additionally, an API endpoint was created to return an individual Batch’s Status, and improvements were made for API filings to better handle submissions which reflect AOR changes on parent policies. Lastly, improvements were added to enforce default sort order for Insurer searches, updated Entry Method to promote clarity, and further strengthen password requirements.

As a reminder, SLTX released API filing capabilities, specific to automated or “programmatic” filers. Adequate broker testing is required as it is the primary mechanism to ensure data-related scenarios are handled effectively and efficiently. All automated filers are strongly encouraged to contact SLTX TechSupport by email to obtain Technical Reference and User Guides to begin or resume beta testing.

Please contact SLTX’s TechSupport team to schedule a discussion regarding SMART features and how it can improve your agency’s online filing experience. Furthermore, TechSupport can schedule additional SMART training for you and your agency based on processes, workflows, and lines of business.  SMART’s Agent User Guide is updated each release and can be obtained directly from SLTX’s TechSupport team through email or phone (512) 531-1880 or (800) 681-5848.

For your convenience, previous SMART releases regarding APIReportAdvanced SearchManual Data Entry, and Export capabilities are attached. Testing continues for External Filing to include additional manually input transactions. The following transactions are expected for May release: Non-Premium Endorsements, New and Renewal Policy Replacing Binder.

 Note: All current processes and procedures in EFS remain available and will work concurrently with SMART until all features are fully delivered in 2022.

With each new release or significant deployment, additional notifications will be sent to all Electronic Filing System (EFS) users. These notifications may also be found on our website under News>Procedural Updates.

SMART Release Updates March 2022

The March 2022 SMART release includes a reinstatement feature for Manual Filing (Data Entry) transactions. The Transaction Entry User Guide can be utilized as necessary for basic entries which don’t change Agent of Record or apply to continuous until canceled policies. Users may continue to enter New or Renewal Policies or Binders, Cancellations, and Premium Endorsements, Audits, and Installments. Users may now perform policy-level search(es) by Federal Credit Union (FCU) or Purchasing Group selections. Additionally, warnings were implemented to notify users up-front if a policy filing has a policy term of 1 day or is unusually long, or if a policy entry appears to be a duplication of an existing filing (based on policy number, policy period, and total premium amount). Lastly, improvements were added to reflect the environment on existing email notifications, to better calculate the number of expected results for Advanced Policy Search, and to augment date formatting and handling.

As a reminder, SLTX has released API filing capabilities, specific to automated or “programmatic” filers. Broker testing is required as it is the primary mechanism to ensure data-related scenarios are handled effectively and efficiently. If you, as an automated filer, have not requested updated Technical Reference and User Guides or are ready to resume beta testing, please contact the SLTX TechSupport team by email.

Please contact SLTX’s TechSupport team to schedule a discussion regarding SMART features and how it can improve your agency’s online filing experience. Furthermore, TechSupport can schedule additional SMART training for you and your agency based on processes, workflows, and lines of business. SMART’s Agent User Guide is updated each release and can be obtained directly from SLTX’s TechSupport team through email or phone (512) 531-1880 or (800) 681-5848.

For your convenience, previous SMART releases regarding APIReportAdvanced SearchManual Data Entry, and Export capabilities are attached. Testing continues for External Filing to include additional manually input transactions. The following transactions are expected for April release:  Non-Premium Endorsements, New and Renewal Policy Replacing Binder.

Note:  All current processes and procedures in EFS remain available and will work concurrently with SMART until all features are fully delivered in 2022.

With each new release or significant deployment, additional notifications will be sent to all Electronic Filing System (EFS) users. These notifications may also be found on our website under News>Procedural Updates.

SMART Release Updates February 2022

The February 2022 SMART release includes a cancellation feature for Manual Filing (Data Entry) transactions. The Transaction Entry User Guide can be utilized as necessary for basic entries that don’t change Agent of Record or apply to continuous until canceled policies. Users may continue to enter New or Renewal Policies or Binders, and Premium Endorsements, Audits, and Installments. Users may now view coverage and class code (exclusive) relationships directly within Coverage or Class Search, and this feature will automatically apply within each entry. Improvements were added to Advanced Policy Search to better handle exact policy number matches and to also include a count of Expected Results before your search is executed. Lastly, additional API (automated filer) features were released. SMART will provide email notifications to the filer when the API batch posting is completed. Furthermore, improvements were added to better manage automated submissions and user access when not approved or authorized to make submissions in the Live Environment due to incomplete testing.

As a reminder, SLTX released filing features specific to automated or “programmatic” filers as these methods make up majority of transactions filed with SLTX. Broker testing is required as it is the primary mechanism to ensure data-related scenarios are handled effectively and efficiently. If you, as an automated filer, have not requested updated Technical Reference and User Guides or are ready to resume beta testing, please contact the SLTX TechSupport team by email.

Please contact SLTX’s TechSupport team to schedule a discussion regarding SMART features and how it can improve your agency’s online filing experience. Furthermore, TechSupport can schedule additional SMART training for you and your agency based on processes, workflows, and lines of business. SMART’s Agent User Guide is updated each release and can be obtained directly from SLTX’s TechSupport team through email or phone (512) 531-1880 or (800) 681-5848.

For your convenience, previous SMART releases regarding  APIReportAdvanced SearchManual Data Entry, and Export capabilities are attached. Testing continues for External Filing to include additional manually input transactions. The following transactions are expected for March release:  Reinstatement, Non-Premium Endorsements, New and Renewal Policy Replacing Binder.

Note: All current processes and procedures in EFS remain available and will work concurrently with SMART until all features are fully delivered in 2022.

With each new release or significant deployment, additional notifications will be sent to all Electronic Filing System (EFS) users. These notifications may also be found on our website under News>Procedural Updates.

SMART Release Updates January 2022

The January 2022 SMART release includes additional features for Manual Filing (or Data Entry) transactions: Premium Endorsement, Installment, Audits, and utilizing the Transaction Entry User Guide as necessary for basic entries that don’t change Agent of Record or apply to continuous until cancelled policies. Users may continue entering New or Renewal Policies or Binders transactions by utilizing the Policy or Binder User Guide as necessary. Secondarily, users now can perform policy search(es) by any value(s) input in the Reference field. Lastly, process and workflow improvements were added to improve clarity with user statuses, to better manage “batches” from a user perspective, and to restrict filing access from users that have elected the “ACH/Online payments only” permission.

Please contact SLTX’s TechSupport team to schedule a discussion on SMART features and how it can improve your agency’s online filing experience. Furthermore, TechSupport can schedule additional SMART training for you and your agency based on processes, workflows, and lines of business. SMART’s Agent User Guide is updated with each release and may be obtained directly from SLTX’s TechSupport team for any agency ready to utilize SMART’s features. Contact SLTX Tech Support by email or phone (512) 531-1880 or (800) 681-5848 with any questions.

For your convenience, previous SMART releases regarding  APIReportAdvanced SearchManual Data Entry, and Export capabilities are attached. Testing continues for External Filing to include additional manually input transactions within SMART. The following transactions are expected for February release: Cancellation, Reinstatement, New and Renewal Policy Replacing Binder.

Note: All current processes and procedures in EFS remain available and will work concurrently with SMART until all features are fully delivered in 2022.

With each new release or significant deployment, additional notifications will be sent to all Electronic Filing System (EFS) users. These notifications may also be found on our website under News>Procedural Updates.

SMART Release Updates December 2021

The December 2021 SMART release includes the next round of Manual Filing (or Data Entry) transactions: Renewal Policy or Renewal Binder. Users may now enter New and Renewal Policy or New and Renewal Binder filings in SMART, utilizing the Transaction Entry User Guide as necessary. Secondarily, the release includes significant improvements to coverage and class code “helper tool” which is intended to assist in selecting coverage and class codes in alignment with SLTX’s processes and code selection rules. Based on the coverage code(s) selected, this automated tool will limit the class codes available. Alternatively, if you select the class code first, it will limit the coverage codes available.  

As a reminder, Month End and Year End Reports are available within SMART. After logging in, you may access your reports by selecting “View Reports” from the Reports tile on your Broker Landing page. You will then select “End of Month” or “End of Year” to access these specific reports.  

We encourage you to contact SLTX’s TechSupport team to schedule an individualized discussion on how existing SMART features can improve your agencies online filing experience. Additionally, TechSupport can schedule in-depth SMART training for you and your agency based on your processes, workflows, and lines of business. 

For your convenience, previous SMART releases  API, Report, Advanced SearchManual Data Entry, and Export capabilities are attached. Testing continues for External Filing to include additional manually input transactions within SMART. The following transactions are expected in the January release: Premium Endorsement, Audit, Installment, New and Renewal Policy Replacing Binder. 

Note: All current processes and procedures in EFS remain available and will work concurrently with SMART until all features are fully delivered in 2022. 

With each new release or significant deployment, additional notifications will be sent to all Electronic Filing System (EFS) users. These notifications may also be found on our website under News>Procedural Updates. 

SMART’s Agent User Guide is updated with each release and may be obtained directly from SLTX’s TechSupport team for any agency ready to utilize SMART’s features. Contact SLTX Tech Support by email or phone (512) 531-1880 or (800) 681-5848 with any questions. 

SMART Release Updates November 2021

The November 2021 SMART release includes updates to existing Broker Search/Edit components, such as creation and maintenance of insurer contracts and an improved layout for online filing user maintenance. Additionally, users may now utilize the SMART system to reset passwords instead of using the System Password Reset Request form from SLTX’s website. In most cases, users may now utilize the “Forgot Password?” link from the SMART landing page instead of submitting a password reset request through SLTX. Most significantly, November’s SMART release includes Manual Filing (or Data Entry) transactions. Users may now enter New Policy or New Binder filings in SMART, utilizing the Transaction Entry User Guide as necessary.

We encourage you to contact SLTX’s TechSupport team to schedule an individualized discussion on how existing SMART features can improve your agencies online filing experience. Additionally, TechSupport can schedule in-depth SMART trainings for you and your agency based on your processes, workflows, and lines of business.

For your convenience, previous SMART releases  APIReportAdvanced Search, and Export capabilities are attached. Testing is underway for External Filing to include additional manually input transactions within SMART. The following transactions are expected in the December release: Renewal Policy and Binder, New and Renewal Policy Replacing Binder.

Note: All current processes and procedures in EFS remain available and will work concurrently with SMART until all features are fully delivered in 2022.

With each new release or significant deployment, additional notifications will be sent to all Electronic Filing System (EFS) users. These notifications may also be found on our website under News>Procedural Updates.

SMART’s Agent User Guide is updated with each release and may be obtained directly from SLTX’s TechSupport team for any agency ready to utilize SMART’s features. Contact SLTX Tech Support by email or phone (512) 531-1880 or (800) 681-5848 with any questions.

New Content Available on SLTX Website

The Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas has added new content to its website!

New Additions include:

  • Required Disclosure for Occupational Policies form (effective 1/1/2022)
  • Title 5, Chapter 564. Disclosures for the Sale of Certain Occupational Insurance Policies State Law
  • Broker FAQ: Which “occupational” policies require a separate disclosure relating to an employer not maintaining workers’ compensation insurance?

These additions can be found through links provided or on our website. Please contact the SLTX Tech Support team by email or phone at (512) 531-1880 or (800) 681-5848 with any questions.

SMART Release Updates October 2021

The October 2021 SMART release includes export capability which allows users to export any Advanced Policy search results in a CSV/Excel format. The full export contains all data points included and/or required with your filing submissions such as Coverage, Insurer, Policy Limit, or Reference/Custom ID. A basic export comprised of primary / basic data points is also included. Users will no longer have restrictions downloading monthly ASCII files for reconciliation, research, or analysis, and both export functions will allow users to view, download, and/or reconcile at any point during the month or year. The sections of the Agent User Guide which specifically pertain to October changes can be found here.

For your convenience, included are previous SMART releases  API, Report, and Advanced Search. Testing is currently underway for External Filing to add the ability to manually input transactions within SMART. The first transactions (New and Renewal Policies) are expected in the November release.

Note: all current processes and procedures in EFS remain available and both systems will work concurrently until all features in SMART are fully delivered in 2022.

With each new release or significant deployment, additional notifications will be sent all Electronic Filing System (EFS) users. These notifications may also be found on our website under News>Procedural Updates.

SMART’s Agent User Guide is updated with each release and may be obtained directly from SLTX’s TechSupport team for any agency ready to utilize SMART’s features. Contact SLTX Tech Support by email or phone (512) 531-1880 or (800) 681-5848 with any questions.

SMART Release Updates September 2021

The September 2021 SMART release includes significant search capabilities for all transactions submitted to SLTX via Advanced Policy search. This allows users to search data points such as coverages, insurers, reporting date range, filing users rather than limited to searching by policy number or named insured. Other recently released components were demonstrated and discussed during the May focus group. As a reminder, previous SMART releases contained API and Report functionality.

Search components include Insurers, Coverage and Class Codes, and Broker only (to protect confidentiality, any and all data for other broker or agency other than your own company/organization). The Broker search feature allows for a view of your agency’s data, as well as view and maintain online filing user-profiles and reset passwords. In addition to the existing Broker Landing page are Year-To-Date KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to include Premium, Policy Count, Tax Amount, and Stamping Fee Amount. Furthermore, a pending stamping fee payment alert has been added to the landing page reminding users of outstanding stamping fee payments. SMART’s Agent User Guide is updated with each release and may be obtained directly from SLTX’s TechSupport team for any agency ready to utilize SMART’s features. However, you may view the sections of the Agent User Guide which specifically pertain to September changes here.

October’s release is scheduled to include export capability, which will allow users to export any Advanced Policy search results in a CSV/Excel format. This export will include all data points which are included and/or required with your filing submission. Development is currently underway for External Filing to include ability to manually input transactions within SMART., with portions to spread through the months of October and/or November release(s).

Additionally, SLTX is currently conducting a survey to gather feedback on proposed layout and content of the Broker dashboard. This interactive survey was sent via email on Tuesday, September 21st to all active EFS Users and to each primary/secondary contact. If you did not receive this email, please check your spam/junk filters, or contact SLTX’s Tech Support team via email.

Please note that all current EFS processes and procedures will continue to be available and both systems will remain functional and work concurrently until the suite of features in SMART are fully delivered which is expected to be in 2022.

With each new release or significant deployment, additional notifications will be sent to existing users of SLTX’s Electronic Filing System (EFS). These notifications may also be found directly on our website under News>Procedural Updates.

Please contact SLTX Tech Support by email or phone (512) 531-1880 or (800) 681-5848 with any questions.

 

Brown Appointed Texas Commissioner of Insurance

Governor Greg Abbott announced Cassie Brown as the new Texas Commissioner of Insurance. Brown is the current Chief Executive of the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). Prior to this role, she served as Commissioner of the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) in 2018, 2019, and 2021.

With more than 20 years of public service experience, Brown has overseen various regulations, markets, and activities related to the Surplus Lines industry.

She received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from St. Edward’s University and attended the Governor’s Executive Development Program at The University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs.

For more information on the new Commissioner, please utilize TDI’s website.

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