The site features daily updates about gubernatorial contests in the 36 states holding elections this year as well as the elected insurance commissioner races in California, Georgia, Kansas and Oklahoma.

NAMIC said it also plans to poll gubernatorial candidates on insurance issues and post their answers on the site.

The Internet posting is an experiment that is part of NAMIC's long term goal to get its 1,300 member companies "involved in shaping the public policy environment and to get them involved in political decisions," explained Roger Schmelzer, NAMIC's vice president of regulatory affairs.

He said the site, which uses content from newspapers in states where campaigns of interest are taking place, will not be listing any data showing campaign giving by the industry.

In announcing the site, Mr. Schmelzer noted that "November's elections will have a profound effect on state insurance regulation," since 20 gubernatorial contests are assured of producing new governors, two of the four insurance commissioner races will fill open seats, and state legislatures anticipate a record turnover.

Mr. Schmelzer said the coming influx of new policymakers "will most certainly impact efforts to enact fundamental reforms in the states."

In addition to giving companies a national perspective on how the election campaigns are developing, NAMIC said it was encouraging insurers to be active on behalf of candidates they believe will be most supportive of free enterprise principles once elected.

"The public policy environment in which insurance issues will be addressed

for the next two years is being built around us," said Mr. Schmelzer. "NAMIC wants to make it easier for companies of all sizes to understand how election results across the country can affect the business they do at home. Hopefully, this will spur higher levels of participation in the electoral process, for companies who wish to take that step."

Mr. Schmelzer added "We will closely follow the development of the regulatory climate in the coming months. The Web site will run past the Nov. 5th election to follow the appointment process for new commissioners as well as other insurance-related developments." Mr. Schmelzer said.

NAMIC expects to develop the questionnaire that will be sent to all gubernatorial candidates by September and "We will post the results of the candidate questionnaire as we receive their responses."

"We want insurance professionals to make their own judgements what they want to do," said Mr. Schmelzer

The association's member companies underwrite 40 percent ($123 billion) of the property-casualty insurance premium in the United States.