How do I sell Mine Subsidence Insurance (MSI)?
Insurance producers licensed in Pennsylvania with property authority may sell MSI. Click on the Insurance Producer link on the MSI homepage at
dep.pa.gov/msi. The "DEP GreenPort Information" link on the How to Submit Applications page explains how to register and login through our eCommerce Portal (DEP GreenPort). Once registered, you use the GreenPort to submit applications and make commissions.
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Does MSI provide leads or lists of potential MSI applicants that might be interested in this coverage?
No, but the Insurance Producer page contains a Sales Kit and marketing ideas that you can use to quickly identify your customers at risk and then contact them.
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How do I check on mining conditions and determine if my customer needs coverage?
Search the mining conditions under a site using the MSI Risk interactive mapping application. Sites can be located by: entering and address, latitude and longitude, or municipality using the Locate Site tools. Once a site is located, a message will appear on the screen with the mining status and whether or not Mine Subsidence Insurance is recommended. Repeat the process to check multiple sites.
Producers must still submit applications through the DEP Greenport. Do not use the link on the interactive map.
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How can I increase the number of applications I submit?
Go to the Sales Kit link on the Insurance Producers homepage and use the Sales Tips & Tools to dramatically increase your applications. Not only will your customers be greatly served, the commissions that result will astonish you. One agent followed the strategy and submitted close to 100 applications in the first two months of operations. That agent has already made more than $5,000 in commissions!
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Is the agent required to service these policies? Does any billing come through the agent's office?
The agent only places the policy with us. The MSI office handles all billings, claims, increases, policy updates, and refunds.
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There are several agents in our office that want to submit MSI applications. Do we all need to register or can we register as one agency account?
Each agent must register separately. Each time you log into the DEP GreenPort your license is verified with the PA Insurance Department so that we can then accurately report your commissions. However, if you have one person in your office that you want to enter applications, you may provide them with your account information. But you are responsible for the information submitted from your account.
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What are appurtenances?
Appurtenances are defined as fences, retaining walls, paved or improved patios, walks, driveways, and in ground swimming pools. All appurtenances must be permanently affixed and securely attached to the land surface and adjacent to and used in conjunction with the part of the insured structure that is the building. Damage to appurtenances is limited to 10% of the coverage amount and covered only if the insured structure is damaged by the same event.
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When is the policy effective?
All applications are subject to review. The policy effective date is the day it is submitted online, as long as payment is received within 60 days. After 60 days, MSI will accept payment, but coverage is effective as of the date the payment is received.
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How does an existing policyholder increase their coverage amount?
Please have the policyholder call 1-888-357-2674. If they reach our voicemail system, they can leave a message with their policy number and the new amount of insurance desired (maximum $1,000,000 or the replacement value of the structure plus 20% to coverage losses to the appurtenances and incidental costs, whichever is less). We pro-rate the current premium and bill them for the difference.
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How do I process a request to increase coverage?
Increases to coverage are handled by our in-house staff. Please have the policyholder call 1-888-357-2674. If they reach our voicemail system, they can leave a message with their policy number and the new amount of insurance desired (maximum $1,000,000 or the replacement value of the structure plus 20% to coverage losses to the appurtenances and incidental costs, whichever is less). We pro-rate the current premium and bill them for the difference.
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How does a policyholder submit a claim for mine subsidence damage?
Please have them call our regional office at 1-800-922-1678. When the voicemail options start, immediately dial '0' for the switchboard. Ask to speak to a MSI Rep about filing a claim.
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Where can I find the Mine Subsidence Insurance application?
Only applications submitted online earn a commission. Login to the DEP GreenPort via the Producer Login button (follow the registration instructions if a first-time user). At the Main Menu, choose "Create A New MSI Application." Enter the zip code and municipality. This will either display a map or show a message that indicates if the area is considered to be undermined. If there is a map available, it may take 10 - 30 seconds to load. At this point, you may continue with the application itself, check another location, or return to the Main Menu. A Customer Information Sheet is available in the sales kit to assist you in collecting the information needed to complete the online application.
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Is my customer's information kept confidential by the MSI Fund?
Yes, all your customer's information is kept confidential and secure by the MSI Fund. This is a link to the MSI Fund's policy on Confidentiality of Nonpublic Personal Information.
Do I have to print a copy of the application for my clients to sign?
No, the application is handled electronically. After the application is completed, a PDF version of the data must be reviewed and may be edited. Then the applicant must review and agree to the terms of the Insuring Agreement. The next screen is a summary of Act 69, which governs electronic transactions/signatures. The applicant "signs" the application when you click on "Accept Data." You must print a copy of the application and the Insuring Agreement and provide them to the applicant for their records.
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Is there a way that our agency can have a link from our web site to the PA Mine Subsidence Insurance web site?
Your webmaster may add a link to MSI on your web site. You should use the URL below, which is designed to answer homeowners' questions about mine subsidence.
http://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/MSI/Pages/default.aspx « Top
Does an oil and gas lease affect Mine Subsidence Insurance (MSI) coverage?
Oil and gas lease agreements should not affect MSI coverage because they typically do not bargain away the rights of the MSI policyholder to be compensated by third parties for losses caused by mine subsidence, rights that are required under Sections 3.C, 11 and 12 of the MSI insuring agreement.
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Condominiums and Cooperatives
How are condominium and cooperatives insured?
Condominium and cooperative law requires that the association be named as the insured of all common elements, such as the walls, ceilings floors, roofs and other structural components, no matter who pays the premium. Condominium and cooperative associations are required by law to use the settlement proceeds to make repairs to the common elements of the insured unit prior to repairing the non-common elements within the unit.
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Can the condominium or cooperative association apply for coverage for each unit or for the entire structure?
If the building is configured vertically, that is with units attached at the floors and ceilings like a high-rise building, then the structure is insured under one policy. If the building is configured horizontally, that is with the units attached at the walls like a row of houses, then each unit may carry its own policy or all the attached units may be covered under one policy.
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Who can file a claim, the unit owner or the condominium or cooperative association?
Either the association or the unit owner may report damage.
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Commissions
What is the amount of commission?
Commissions are based upon 50% of the first year's premium. Agents must now retain their commission. To earn a commission, the application must be submitted online.
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When collecting and submitting the premium to MSI, does the agent send the entire premium or keep the agent's half?
Agents must retain their commission which is one-half of the first year premium. The agent then sends the balance of the premium to the Commonwealth of PA.
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Is MSI still accepting checks for the full premium amount?
MSI is no longer accepting checks for the full premium amount. Agents/agencies are required to retain their commissions. If the commission is not retained, the check will be returned to you.
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What is the commission policy regarding applications for structures that are currently or have previously been insured?
Commissions will not be paid if the structure under application has carried coverage within one year of the date of a new application and the titled ownership has not changed. Commissions will not be paid if the structure under application has carried coverage within two years of the date of a new application, the titled ownership has not changed, and the agent or agency submitting the application has not changed.
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I submitted an application and selected to have the commission come to me. Can I change it so that the commission will go to the agency or visa versa?
We do not have the capabilities to change the assignment of a commission. However, you may select the option you desire when you submit your next application.
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Can a commission go the agency?
Yes, commissions can go to an insurance agency. On the Pending Applications page, select the agency field at the bottom of the screen and then click on ?Generate Invoice.? Search for your Agency by using just part of the Agency Name and the '%%' wildcard. From the search results, click the "Pick" button beside the Agency to which the commission should be assigned.
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What happens if the policy is canceled during the first year?
The Fund will notify you if the policy is canceled within a year of its issuance. You must promptly refund the Fund any unearned portion of the commission that you received for that Mine Subsidence Insurance Policy. Commission returns are based upon a prorated portion of the unearned premiums.
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Error Messages/Problems
Nothing happens when I click on the Login button or the MSI button. Why?
Close the DEP GreenPort Login page and click again on the Producer Login link. Always allow each page to fully load when logging in.
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Why do I sometimes get Server Not Found, URL Not Found and Page Not Found messages?
All of these usually result from the server being busy. Please try again in a few minutes.
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Why did I get the following message:
ERROR: Invalid username/password combination (auth_fail_exception)?
This indicates that either the username or password was entered incorrectly. The password is case sensitive but the username is not.
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I forgot my username. What should I do now?
You can re-register or contact the Application Support Help Desk at 717-787-4357 or ep-efactshelpdeskteam@pa.gov. Make sure to include your full name, telephone number and email address.
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I forgot my password. What should I do now?
Click on the "Can't remember your password?" link below the username and password fields on the DEP GreenPort Login page. Follow the instructions provided and a new password will be emailed to you. Login with the new password. Do not click on the MSI for Agents button. First, use the Account Administration button, on the left side of the screen, to change this password to one of your choosing. If you cannot remember your username or did not set up a Password Recovery Hint, you have a couple options. You can either re-register or contact the Applications Support Help Desk at 717-787-4357 or ep-efactshelpdeskteam@pa.gov The help desk will need to know your full name, telephone number and email address. Your username and a new password will be emailed to you.
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My account is locked. What should I do now?
You can either re-register or contact the Applications Support Help Desk at 717-787-4357 or ep-efactshelpdeskteam@pa.gov to unlock your account.
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Why can't I display the invoice?
If you clicked on the "Generate Invoices" button and nothing came up, use the Refresh icon. The invoice is a PDF file, which can sometimes take a few moments to load.
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I forgot to print the invoice before clicking on the Completed button. How do I get it back?
The application cannot be re-generated from the Process/Edit Applications screen. Login to the DEP Greenport by clicking on "Producer Login" on the MSI homepage. On the main menu page click on "View Submitted MSI Applications." Type in the date that you submitted the application to MSI and click on the "refresh" button. You are then able to print copies of the application for the applicant, your files, and to submit with payment.
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