The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has rejected requests from two insurer groups asking it to withdraw a brochure alerting consumers how to avoid fraud by unscrupulous insurance agents and carriers.

The brochure, which was hit with criticism from one NAIC commissioner and banished in Illinois, drew support from a consumer group.

Condemning the publication were the American Insurance Association and the Health Insurance Association of America, both based in Washington. It received backing from the Consumer Federation of America.

Lawrence Mirel, the District of Columbia commissioner of insurance and securities regulation, said he agreed with the AIA that the brochure had "problems."