NU Online News Service, July 18, 12:04 p.m. EST

A controversial auto buying program promoted by GM and MetLife has been fully vetted and is in compliance with insurance regulations, MetLife and state regulators say.

GM launched a program earlier this month to include auto insurance written through MetLife with the purchase of a new automobile at no extra charge.

In an e-mail response to questions from NU Online News Service, David Hammarstrom, a MetLife spokesman, says the program "has been fully vetted and approved in advance by appropriate insurance-regulatory bodies" in Washington and Oregon.

He says the company has long been noted as one that utilizes "multi-channel distribution" to sell insurance and that the "innovative program was brought to us, and is brokered by, an independent insurance agency." MetLife did not identify the agency.

The insurance for the program is paid for by GM at no additional cost to the consumer. To get the insurance, Hammarstrom says the customer must have a valid driver's license; the vehicle must be registered in the participating state; and the vehicle cannot be used for commercial, fleet, or livery use.

Customers can choose to:

• Take the basic policy and not include it on their existing policies;

• Continue with their existing policy and add the new car to the policy using the GM policy as "additional coverage from this program"; or

• Decline the coverage altogether.

Customers are contacted by a MetLife representative prior to issuing the policy, or they can call the carrier to speak to a licensed representative to discuss insurance-related issues.

The pilot program will run from July 6 to Sept. 6 and covers the purchase or lease of new 2010, 2011 or 2012 GM vehicles at participating dealerships.

The program has been greeted with alarm by independent agents in both states. The Professional Insurance Agents Western Alliance last week said it is protesting the program, questioning its legality.

In a letter, the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents, along with the presidents of PIA's in Washington and Oregon, raised questions about the coverage extended to customers and how it affects other insurance policies they may own.

"Distributing sophisticated insurance products through car dealers erodes [MetLife's] brand and devalues the independent agency system," the letter says. "Insurance is not a commodity like floor mats."

The letter was signed by Fred Thomas, president PIA National, Chris Peterson, president PIA Oregon, and Trevor Campbell, president PIA Washington.

In interviews with insurance department spokespersons from Oregon and Washington, both said the departments have received numerous complaints and questions from independent agents. Both departments said the programs were fully reviewed and determined to be legal.

Sandi Peck, a spokeswoman for the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, says the program is considered a group policy with GM as the holder of the master contract, but the auto company is not "acting as an independent producer."

"This is a new innovative program for all of us," she admits.

For its part, the insurance division of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services is issuing a letter designed to answer questions that individuals have about the program.

The letter states that the MetLife program is not a form of rebate because the insurance was already purchased by GM and does not promote the sale of an insurance policy. It notes that GM employees are not involved in the insurance program or compensated for it.

As far as concerns expressed about consumers with umbrella policies, the department says consumers need to discuss this with their producer so "a solution can be found."

Special Reports /

MetLife, Insurance Regulators Say GM Auto Program in Full Compliance

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