Procedural Updates

The June SMART release included the following:

New feature!

Batch Status Details download for API filers now includes an indicator for any insurer and/or syndicate that is ineligible (based on policy’s inception date). Technical Reference Guide(s) have been updated accordingly.

Improvements:

• Default results on Batch Reports page, improves load times for agents with exceptionally large number of reports
• Reinstating or Reversing a cancellation that is effective prior to an existing cancellation and reinstatement pair already in the system
• Using “Correct Original Filing” feature where the original filing also used the “Correct Original Filing” feature
• “Correct Original Filing” allows selection of pending (or tagged) items, when not automatically populated
• Updated user context on the “Batch” reports tile from the Filing Reports page
• Policy limits up to 12 digits in length are now allowed
• Handling of hyphenated user names
• Additional revisions to missing or incorrect policy limits warning to better advise on a policy limit that matches any numeric value input on entry page(s)
• Phase 2 of changes to End of Period tasks to improve processing speed

SLTX will release process improvements and/or enhancements as available.

Visit Training Videos & Guides page to access all user guides or supplemental video components for each transaction or feature in SMART (including API technical and user guides). Need additional support? Sign up for an online support session, or a full walk-though of SMART’s features tailored to your agency’s business / workflows. Or a support session for technical assistance with API (automated) filings and/or SMART Connector processes.

The May SMART release included the following:

New feature!

Outstanding Errors (Tags) page with a notification and access point on Broker landing page. This will allow users to visualize all outstanding errors (tags) in a single location. User guides will be updated accordingly. Future releases will include the ability to navigate to correct or delete errors workflow directly from this page.

Improvements:

• Posting times for exceptionally large API batch(es)
• Retaining CustomID when resolving or correcting API pending
• API batch handling when XML submission encounters a hard-fail and/or exceeds max lengths for data elements
• Handling of incorrect date formatting for manual filers
• Consistent application of NAIC Number when creating contracts
• Consistent application of naming conventions with reports
• Phase 1 of changes to End of Period tasks to improve processing speed

SLTX will release process improvements and/or enhancements as available.

Visit Training Videos & Guides page to access all user guides or supplemental video components for each transaction or feature in SMART (including API technical and user guides). Need additional support? Sign up for a walk-though of SMART’s features tailored to your agency’s business / workflows, or a support session for technical assistance with API (automated) filing or SMART Connector processes.

We encourage all paper filers to switch to electronic filings, particularly if you are printing electronic files solely to put it in the mail. You can skip that entire laborious process by utilizing SLTX’s online filing system (SMART) or secure file sharing software. Information on how to register for online filing can be found on our website. To use a secure file sharing service that allows for electronic submissions, rather than mailing, contact Tech Support.

Data exchanged within SMART is encrypted to provide a high degree of security for both the user and SLTX. No user can access another organization’s transactions, and input is restricted to only registered user profiles.

When using SMART, you have the option to file transactions via web entry or through automation. As the primary method of filing, web entry allows agency staff to input individual policy information into a web-based form. Automation allows data submissions to be electronically submitted in XML format.

SMART is the best choice for users because it provides users the opportunity to correct errors as they are detected as well as access to monthly reports and invoices.  These options are not available through the file sharing service.

If the secure file sharing service is your choice, you may access stamping fee invoices, reports and pay stamping fee electronically through SMART by completing the System Registration form on our website. Ensure the box marked “I intend to use the Online Filing System to only make ACH/online payments” is checked. To assist with the transition, SLTX has created the following guides:

• Online Invoice Payment
• Monthly and Annual Reports

In any event, the SLTX team is here to help! Contact us we can assist step-by-step on how to utilize SMART or the online filing system! Happy paperless Filing!

As a reminder, ALL features and/or transactions have been available in SMART as of the January 2023 release. End-of-life for Electronic Filing System (EFS) is May 1, 2023.

 The March/April SMART release included the following improvements:

• Improvements to placement of “Correct Original Filing” field from Policy and Binder entry screens
• Improvements to Policy Limits field (Context for potentially inaccurate policy limit amounts)
• Phase 1 of Global (email) Notifications integrated into SMART, allowing SLTX to send notifications directly to users
• Improvements to automated purge, sync, and display of reports for all available report categories
• Improvements to guidance shown on Policy Limits Upload page
• Policy Limits Upload will now notify user making submission instead of primary agency contact
• Improvements to “Errors” Section from Policy’s Search result page
• Improvements to API batch posting within Test Environment (better management of transactions submitted “outside of reporting month” error assignment)

SLTX will release process improvements and/or enhancements as available.

Available Manual Filing (or Data Entry) transactions: New or Renewal Policies or Binders; New or Renewal Policy Replacing Binders; Premium Endorsements, Audits, and Installments; Audit Amendments; Cancellations; Reinstatements;  Name Change, Policy Number Change, Insurer / Company Change, Expiration Date Change, Inception Date Change, or Other Non-Premium Endorsements; Reversals; Agent/Broker of Record changes; and ability to correct or delete errors (tags).

Visit Training Videos & Guides page to access user guides or supplemental video components for each transaction or feature in SMART. Sign up for a walk-though of SMART’s features tailored to your agency’s business / workflows, or a support session for technical assistance with API (automated) filing or SMART Connector processes.

As of the January 2023 release, ALL features and/or transactions have been delivered in SMART. End-of-life of Electronic Filing System (EFS) is May 1, 2023, and no further access will be available. SLTX will release process improvements and/or enhancements indefinitely as available.

Available Manual Filing (or Data Entry) transactions: New or Renewal Policies or Binders; New or Renewal Policy Replacing Binders; Premium Endorsements, Audits, and Installments; Audit Amendments; Cancellations;
Reinstatements;  Name Change, Policy Number Change, Insurer / Company Change, Expiration Date Change,
Inception Date Change, or Other Non-Premium Endorsements; Reversals; Agent/Broker of Record changes; and ability to correct or delete errors (tags).

Visit Training Videos & Guides page to access user guides or supplemental video components for each transaction or feature in SMART. Sign up for a group education session to experience a walk-through of SMART’s features, or request an individualized training session tailored to your agency’s business / workflows or API (automated) filing processes.

The February release included the following improvements:

• Improved handling of error (tag) correction components
• Replacing restricted or invalid coverage/class codes
• Color indicator for “binder data” with Policy Replacing Binder
• Messaging for Windstorm Exclusion indicator for Policy Replacing Binder
• Improvements for API filers who elect to update FCU (Federal Credit Union) flag
• Include API response model information within SMART’s Swagger page and Programmer Technical Reference guide
• Remove “in-progress” reminder from SMART login
• Update SLTX address within SMART reports to reflect new Pflugerville address

The Annual Late Filing report will be generated on March 13, 2023. Policies are considered late if not filed with SLTX within 60 days of issuance or the effective date, whichever is later.

In compliance with the Texas Administrative Code, SLTX must submit the report each year to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) no later than the first business day in April. Once the report is sent to TDI, no additional changes can be made. Adjustments approved by TDI on policies included on a monthly late filing report should be considered timely filed, will not be included on the annual report.

Beginning March 13, 2023, you can access the report both in SMART and EFS (note: this is the last year to access the report in EFS). You can find the “how to” user guide in SMART by following this link. Follow these instructions to access report in EFS: “Reporting” tab on the left navigation menu. Select “EOM/EOY Reports” from the “Listings” drop-down menu at the top of the screen. Choose the “Late Filing Reports” radio button, and the annual late filing report will be displayed as the most recent report listed, if available.

SLTX will send the official Annual Late Filing Report by certified mail to agents and brokers included in the report. Those who are not included in the report will not see it listed in the online filing system and will not receive a letter from SLTX.

The report will include:

• A list of all late policies,
• Number of days late for each,
• Total percentage of late policies for the year,
• A calculation of total fees due and,
• Number of policies sent to enforcement, if any.

Assessments and enforcement actions are determined by statute and all fees should be submitted directly to TDI. The TDI Late Filers Fee Payment Form will be included within the certified mailing.

SLTX is moving! Effective immediately please send all mail, checks, policy filings, and other written communication to this address to avoid delays.

Our new address is:

1601 E Pflugerville Pkwy, Suite #3301
Pflugerville, TX 78660

The SLTX website, phone numbers, and email addresses will remain the same. Please contact SLTX with any questions.

The January release includes ability for API filers to correct errors (tags) and delete errors (tags) through SMART’s user interface, ability to access monthly / annual late filings reports, and an additional Manual Filing (or Data Entry) transaction: Audit Amendment.

The following improvements include:

• Syncing of legacy (EFS) reports. This allows users to access historical (legacy) reports via SMART until expired (based on SLTX retention policy). It may take 1-2 weeks for all reports to sync / become available.
• Automated purge of existing (and legacy) reports which exceed SLTX’s retention policy
• Non-Texas and Exempt Premium added to Advanced Policy Search and Full Export data
• Improved handling after-action options for Broker’s Sent Invitations
• Improved handling of credit balance(s) for non-Texas premiums by state or territory
• Improved messaging when any API data point’s max length is exceeded
• Improvements for API filers who elect to update FCU (Federal Credit Union) flag
• Improved context on “Upload Policy Limits” page (additional clarity regarding which policy limits to provide)
• Updated guidance for “Renewal” and “Installment” transactions
• Updated field label to reflect “Correct Original Filing”
• Removed “API” option from Filing menu (providing streamlined Help functions within “Help” menu)
• Improved handling of long Reference field values from Recent Filings (Data Entry landing page)
• SMART Connector (v. 1.1.35) improvements (branch / division selection)

Available Manual Filing (or Data Entry) transactions: New or Renewal Policies or Binders; New or Renewal Policy Replacing Binders; Premium Endorsements, Audits, and Installments; Cancellations; Reinstatements;  Name Change, Policy Number Change, Insurer / Company Change, Expiration Date Change, Inception Date Change, or Other Non-Premium Endorsements; Reversals; and Agent/Broker of Record changes.

At this time, ALL features and/or transactions have been delivered in SMART. As a result, SLTX confirms end-of-life of Electronic Filing System (EFS) as May 1, 2023.

 SLTX will continue to regularly release process improvements and/or enhancements indefinitely.

Visit Training Videos & Guides page to access user guides or supplemental video components for each transaction or feature in SMART. Sign up for a group education session to experience a walk-through of SMART’s features, or request an individualized training session tailored to your agency’s business / workflows or API (automated) filing processes.