Indiana § 27-1-22-5 - Hearing on question of compliance with filing requirements; finding and order

§ 27-1-22-5. Hearing on question of compliance with filing requirements; finding and order

Sec. 5. (a) Upon the commissioner's motion, or upon written request by any insured affected thereby or by any licensed insurance producer or broker, if such request is made in good faith and states reasonable grounds, the commissioner, if the commissioner shall have reason to believe that any filing is not in compliance with the applicable provisions of section 3 of this chapter, or in the case of an alleged violation of section 6 of the chapter if the commissioner finds on the basis of the information on file with the department that there has been a prima facie showing of a violation of that section, shall hold a hearing upon not less than ten (10) days written notice to the rating organization or insurer which made the filing in issue, specifying the items and matters to be considered and stating in what manner and to what extent noncompliance is alleged to exist. No other matter or subject shall be considered at such hearing. Only the rating organization or insurer which made such filing and the commissioner may be parties to any hearing or to any judicial appeal resulting therefrom. Within a reasonable time, the commissioner shall notify every person making request as to the decision as to the validity of the request and subsequently shall notify every such person of any action which may thereafter be taken with reference to such request.

(b) If, after such hearing, the commissioner finds, based upon a preponderance of the evidence adduced at such hearing and made a part of the record thereof, that such filing is not in compliance with the provisions of section 3 of this chapter, the commissioner shall immediately issue a written order to the parties specifying in detail in what respects and upon what evidence such noncompliance exists and stating when, within a reasonable period thereafter, such filing shall be deemed no longer effective. Said order shall not affect any contract policy made or issued prior to the expiration of the period set forth in said order.

(c) If after such hearing the commissioner finds that such filing does not violate the provisions of section 3 of this chapter, the commissioner shall immediately issue a written order to the parties dismissing the proceedings.

(d) The finding and order of the commissioner shall be made within ninety (90) days after the close of such hearing or within such reasonable time extensions as may be fixed by the commissioner.

(e) No manual of classifications, rule, rate, rating schedule, rating plan, or any modification of any of the foregoing which establishes standards for measuring variations in hazards or expense provisions, or both, which has been filed pursuant to section 4 of this chapter shall be disapproved if the rates produced thereby meet the requirements of section 3 of this chapter.

(f) All actions of the commissioner under this chapter and all appeals from the commissioner's action shall be governed by IC 4-21.5, except where a different specific provision is made in this chapter.

Formerly: Acts 1967, c.133, s.5; Acts 1971, P.L.1, SEC.9. As amended by P.L.252-1985, SEC.108; P.L.7-1987, SEC.140; P.L.178-2003, SEC.23.