Rhode Island § 27-44-9 - Casualty, Liability and Fire and Marine Insurance Rating

§ 27-44-9. Licensing of advisory organizations.

(a) License required. No advisory organization shall provide any service relating to the rates of any insurer subject to this chapter, and no insurer shall utilize the services of the organization for those purposes unless the organization has become licensed under subsection (d).

(b) Authorized activities. A licensed advisory organization may perform any of the authorized activities enumerated in § 27-44-11 except no advisory organization may make any filings on behalf of any insurer.

(c) Availability of services. No advisory organization shall refuse to supply any services for which it is licensed in this state to any insurer authorized to do business in this state and offering to pay the fair and usual compensation for the services.

(d) License. An advisory organization shall submit at the time of application:

(1) A copy of its constitution, articles of association or incorporation, and the bylaws, plan of operation, or other rules and regulations governing its activities;

(2) A list of its members and subscribers;

(3) The name and address of one or more residents of this state upon whom notices, process affecting it, or orders of the director may be served; and

(4) Any other relevant information and documents that the director may require.

(e) Change of circumstances. Every registered advisory organization shall promptly notify the director of every material change in the facts or in the documents upon which its registration was based.

(f) License; fee. If the director finds that the applicant and the natural persons through whom it acts are competent, trustworthy, and technically qualified to provide the services proposed, and that all requirements of law are met, he or she shall issue a license specifying the authorized activity of the applicant. The annual fee for the license shall be one hundred dollars ($100). The director shall not issue a license if the proposed activity would tend to create a monopoly or to substantially lessen competition.

(g) Duration. Licenses issued pursuant to this section shall remain in effect for three (3) years unless sooner suspended or revoked. All in force licenses shall be transitioned into a three-year (3) licensing cycle beginning June 1, 2006, to expire every three (3) years thereafter. License fees may be prorated for the initial renewal period as deemed appropriate by the director. The director, after a hearing, may revoke or suspend the license of an advisory organization that does not comply with the requirements and standards of this chapter.