Ohio Revised Code
Chapter 3937 | Casualty Insurance; Motor Vehicle Insurance
Section 3937.03 | Classifications - Rules - Rates - Rating Plan.

Effective: June 30, 2021
Latest Legislation: House Bill 74 - 134th General Assembly
(A)(1) Every insurer shall file with the superintendent of insurance every form of a policy, endorsement, rider, manual of classifications, rules, and rates, every rating plan, and every modification of any of them which it proposes to use. Every such filing shall state any proposed effective date and indicate the character and extent of the coverage contemplated. When a filing is not accompanied by the information upon which the insurer supports such filing, and the superintendent does not have sufficient information to determine whether such filing complies with sections 3937.01 to 3937.17 of the Revised Code, the superintendent may require such insurer to furnish the information upon which it supports such filing. Any filing may be supported by the experience or judgment of the insurer or rating organization making the filing, the experience of other insurers or rating organizations, or any other factors which the insurer or rating organization considers relevant. A filing and any supporting information shall be open to public inspection after the filing becomes effective. Trade secrets contained in any filing or in any supporting information shall not be open to public inspection, are not a public record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code, and the release of such trade secrets is prohibited.
(2) As used in division (A)(1) of this section, "trade secret" has the same meaning as in section 1333.61 of the Revised Code.
(B) An insurer may satisfy its obligation to make such filings by becoming a member of, or a subscriber to, a licensed rating organization which makes such filings, and by authorizing the superintendent to accept such filings on its behalf. Sections 3937.01 to 3937.17 of the Revised Code do not require an insurer to become a member of or a subscriber to any rating organization.
(C)(1) For purposes of this division:
(a) "Commercial insurance" means any commercial casualty or commercial liability insurance except sickness and accident, fidelity and surety, and automobile insurance as defined in section 3937.30 of the Revised Code.
(b) "Personal lines coverage" means any policy of insurance issued to a natural person for personal or family protection, including, but not limited to, personal automobile, homeowner's, tenant's, and personal umbrella liability coverages.
(2) Except as provided in division (C)(3) of this section, each filing shall become effective immediately upon its filing and is deemed to comply with such sections, unless disapproved by the superintendent as provided in this section or section 3937.04 of the Revised Code.
(3) Whenever the superintendent declares by rule pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that a degree of competition that will assure that rates are not excessive does not exist in the market for a line of commercial insurance, or that the market is conducted in a manner that may result in inadequate rates or be destructive of competition or detrimental to solvency of insurers, the superintendent shall provide that every filing that would result in an increase or decrease of rates for any coverages for that line of commercial insurance shall be subject to this division. Such filing shall be on file for a waiting period of thirty days before it becomes effective, which period may be extended by the superintendent for one additional period not to exceed fifteen days, if the superintendent gives written notice within such initial waiting period to the insurer or rating bureau that the superintendent needs such additional time for the consideration of such filing. A filing is deemed to comply with sections 3937.04 to 3937.17 of the Revised Code unless disapproved by the superintendent within the waiting period or its extension. Upon written application by such insurer or rating bureau, the superintendent may authorize a filing that the superintendent has reviewed to become effective before the expiration of the initial waiting period or its extension. If, during the initial waiting period or extension, the superintendent finds the filing to which sections 3937.04 to 3937.17 of the Revised Code apply does not comply with the sections, the superintendent shall disapprove the filing by sending written notice to the person who made the filing, specifying therein the reasons the filing fails to comply with the sections. Upon notice of disapproval, the person who made such a filing may request a hearing pursuant to section 3937.15 of the Revised Code.
(4) In determining whether circumstances exist in a market for a line of commercial insurance as required in division (C)(3) of this section, the superintendent shall consider all relevant structural factors in determining the conditions of the market, including: the number of insurers actively engaged in providing coverage; market shares; changes in market shares; and ease of entry.
(5) This division does not apply to any filings required under Chapter 3937. of the Revised Code for personal lines coverage.
(6) Any rule adopted by the superintendent under this division shall expire one year after its issuance unless rescinded earlier or extended by rule adopted by the superintendent.
(D) A special filing may be made with respect to a surety or guaranty bond required by law, by court or executive order, or by order, rule, or regulation of a public body not covered by a previous filing.
(E) Special filings may be made at any time with respect to any individual or special risks whose size, classification, degree of exposure to loss, previous loss experience, or other relevant factors call for the exercise of sound underwriting judgment in the promulgation of rates appropriate to such individual or special risks. The superintendent may make such examination as the superintendent considers advisable to ascertain whether such rates meet the standards set forth in division (D) of section 3937.02 of the Revised Code.
(F) The superintendent may, by written order, suspend or modify the requirement of filing as to any kind of insurance, subdivision, or combination thereof, or as to classes of risks, the rates for which cannot practicably be filed before they are used. Such orders shall be made known to insurers and rating organizations affected thereby. The superintendent may make such examination as the superintendent considers advisable to ascertain whether any rates affected by such order meet the standards set forth in division (D) of section 3937.02 of the Revised Code.
(G) Upon the written application of the insured, stating the insured's reasons therefor, filed with and approved by the superintendent, a rate in excess of that provided by a filing otherwise applicable may be used on any specific risk.
(H) No insurer shall make or issue a contract or policy except in accordance with filings which are in effect for said insurer as provided in sections 3937.01 to 3937.17 of the Revised Code.
Last updated April 9, 2021 at 1:22 PM

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