(A) No insurer or agent shall refuse to issue an automobile insurance policy as defined in Section 38-77-30 because of any one or more of the following factors: the age, sex, location of residence in this State, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, or income level. No insurer or agent shall refuse to issue an automobile insurance policy as defined in Section 38-77-30 solely because of any one of the following factors: the previous refusal of automobile insurance by another insurer, prior purchase of insurance through the Associated Auto Insurers Plan, or lawful occupation, including the military service, of the person seeking the coverage. Nothing in this section prohibits any insurer from limiting the issuance of motor vehicle insurance policies only to persons engaging in or who have engaged in a particular profession or occupation, or who are members of a particular religious sect.
Nothing in this section prohibits any insurer from setting rates in accordance with relevant actuarial data.
(B) In determining the premium rates to be charged for an automobile insurance policy as defined in Section 38-77-30, it is unlawful to consider race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, location of residence in this State, economic status, or income level. Nor may an insurer, agent, or broker refuse to write or renew an automobile insurance policy as defined in Section 38-77-30 based upon age, sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, location of residence in this State, economic status, or income level. However, nothing in this subsection may preclude the use of a territorial plan approved by the director. Any insurer or agent who violates this section shall be subject to the penalties as provided in Section 38-2-10. If the director of the Department of Insurance or his designee finds that an insurer or agent is participating in a pattern of unfair discrimination, the director or his designee may impose a fine of up to two hundred thousand dollars. Provided, however, if the unfair discrimination is required by an insurer, only the insurer is subject to the penalty as long as the agent of the insurer has reported the pattern of unfair discrimination to the department. The director or his designee at any time may examine an insurer or agent to enforce this section. The expense of examination must be paid by the insurer, agent, or broker.
HISTORY: 1997 Act No. 154, Section 11.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 77 - Automobile Insurance
Section 38-77-10. Declaration of purpose.
Section 38-77-20. Construction.
Section 38-77-30. Definitions.
Section 38-77-113. Conditions for waiver of license reinstatement fee.
Section 38-77-120. Requirements for notice of cancellation of or refusal to renew policy.
Section 38-77-126. Disclosure where rate level higher than lowest tier for that insurer or group.
Section 38-77-127. Insurer may issue verification of coverage electronically.
Section 38-77-130. Group automobile insurance; rate.
Section 38-77-140. Bodily injury and property damage limits; general requirements.
Section 38-77-143. Maintenance, selling, etc. policies and contracts to be primary.
Section 38-77-144. Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage not mandated.
Section 38-77-151. Collected funds to be placed in Uninsured Motorists Fund; use of funds.
Section 38-77-155. Distribution of funds; obtaining premium information.
Section 38-77-160. Additional uninsured motorist coverage; underinsured motorist coverage.
Section 38-77-161. Uninsured or underinsured coverage not required in excess or umbrella policy.
Section 38-77-220. Additional liability which automobile insurance policy need not cover.
Section 38-77-260. General release, assignment of claims, and like documents.
Section 38-77-270. Christian Science or any licensed healing art care and treatment.
Section 38-77-280. Collision coverage; comprehensive coverage.
Section 38-77-320. Enforcement of article; promulgation of regulations.
Section 38-77-340. Agreement to exclude designated natural person from coverage.
Section 38-77-341. Unfair trade practices.
Section 38-77-350. Form to be used when optional coverages are offered.
Section 38-77-370. Obligations of insurance-support organizations; access to personal information.
Section 38-77-395. Absence of liability or cause of action in certain situations; exceptions.
Section 38-77-400. Underwriting restrictions provided upon request of director.
Section 38-77-720. Number, qualifications, and compensation of arbitrators; fee paid by claimant.
Section 38-77-750. Enforcement of subpoenas; warrant to produce witnesses; certification of records.
Section 38-77-760. Decision of arbitrators.
Section 38-77-770. Right to appeal decision; procedures.
Section 38-77-830. Assigned Risk Pool.
Section 38-77-840. Powers of director.
Section 38-77-841. Information to be supplied by Associated Auto Insurers Plan producers.
Section 38-77-845. Review of applications.
Section 38-77-850. Confidentiality of information filed with director.
Section 38-77-860. Disclosure of reasons for director's decisions not required; liability.
Section 38-77-1110. Short title.
Section 38-77-1120. Definitions.
Section 38-77-1150. Prohibitions relative to disclosure or nondisclosure of information.