FAIR Plans are the outgrowth of the national emergency created by three years of rioting in American cities, beginning with the Watts outbreak in 1965. When the rioting of the 1960s suddenly mushroomed to disastrous proportions, the companies found themselves in the position of having to pay losses in excess of $100 million, on which they had collected no specific premium. Although the companies paid these losses, their capacity was severely taxed and their normal riot reinsurance market had dried up. It became obvious that emergency revisions of underwriting and reinsurance procedures were necessary for the future protection of urban property and urban existence.
A national advisory panel appointed by President Johnson warned that the revitalization of the nation’s cities would be impossible without fair access to property insurance. It then set forth its recommendations to provide federal riot reinsurance to companies writing in riot prone states if FAIR Plans (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) were established to resolve the availability of insurance protection in urban areas.
Congress enacted the Urban Property Protection and Reinsurance Act of 1968, which authorized the establishment of FAIR Plans and made available federal riot reinsurance to the companies. The Massachusetts Legislature responded with the enactment of chapter 731 of the Acts of 1968, which formed the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association under regulatory supervision of the Massachusetts Insurance Department. The Commissioner of Insurance further designated the entire commonwealth an “Urban Area,” with the result that FAIR Plan coverage is available on a statewide basis.
The Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (MPIUA) is a residual market insurance association in which all companies writing basic property insurance in the Commonwealth are required to participate with losses shared among the member companies on a premium volume basis. Responding to Federal Legislation, the Massachusetts Legislature in 1968 called for an urban area insurance placement facility and thereby gave rise to MPIUA. MPIUA is also known as FAIR Plan (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements). The FAIR Plan operates similar to that of a normal insurance company in that it underwrites and inspects risks, accepts premium, issues policies and adjusts claims. It has a seasoned professional staff, which provides exceptional service to its clientele.
Corporate Social Responsibility Plan
Environmental, Social & Governance Initiatives
PIPSO
The Massachusetts FAIR Plan Association is a member of the Property Insurance Plans Service Office (PIPSO).
Web: www.pipso.com
Mission Statement
The Association secures its authority to operate from Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 175C. Our mission as a property residual market is to provide basic property insurance to eligible applicants who are otherwise unable to obtain coverage from insurers in the voluntary market.
Enabling Documents
Massachusetts General Law Chapter 175C – Urban Area Placement Facility. Massachusetts State Law that established the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (MPIUA).
The Plan of Operation – Outlines the operational Purpose and Standards of the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (MPIUA), as approved by the Commissioner of Insurance.
The Constitution of MPIUA – Defines the rights and responsibilities of member insurance companies of the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association as required by law.