Rhode Island § 27-6-23 - Fire and Marine Insurance Rating

§ 27-6-23. Licensing of rating organizations.

(a) A corporation, an unincorporated association, a partnership, or an individual, whether located within or outside this state, may make an application to the commissioner for a license as a rating organization for those kinds of insurance, or a subdivision or a class of risk or a part or combination of it as are specified in its application and shall file with the application:

(1) A copy of its constitution, its articles of agreement or association or its certificate of incorporation, and its bylaws, rules, and regulations governing the conduct of its business;

(2) A list of its members and subscribers;

(3) The name and address of a resident of this state upon whom notices or orders of the commissioner or process affecting the rating organization may be served; and

(4) A statement of its qualification as a rating organization.

(b) If the commissioner finds that the applicant is competent, trustworthy, and otherwise qualified to act as a rating organization and that its constitution, its articles of agreement or association or certificate of incorporation, and its bylaws, rules, and regulations governing the conduct of its business conform to the requirements of law, the commissioner shall issue a license specifying the kinds of insurance, or a subdivision or a class or a risk or part or combination of it, for which the applicant is authorized to act as a rating organization. Every application shall be granted or denied in whole or in part by the commissioner within sixty (60) days of the date of its filing with the commissioner. Licenses issued pursuant to this section shall remain in effect for three (3) years unless suspended or revoked by the commissioner. The fee for the license shall be three hundred dollars ($300). 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.

(c) Licenses issued pursuant to this section may be suspended or revoked by the commissioner, after hearing upon notice, in the event the rating organization ceases to meet the requirements of this section. Every rating organization shall notify the commissioner promptly of every change in:

(1) Its constitution, its articles of agreement or association or its certificate of incorporation, and its bylaws, rules, and regulations governing the conduct of its business;

(2) Its list of members and subscribers; and

(3) The name and address of the resident of this state designated by it upon whom notices or orders of the commissioner or process affecting the rating organization may be served.