Rhode Island § 27-9-19 - Casualty Insurance Rating

§ 27-9-19. Hearings on application by persons aggrieved by filing — Order terminating filing — Removal of discrimination.

(a) Any person or organization aggrieved with respect to any rate or filing that is in effect may make a written application to the commissioner for a hearing; provided, that the insurer or rating organization that uses the rate or made the filing shall not be authorized to proceed under this section. The application shall specify the grounds to be relied upon by the applicant. If the commissioner shall find that the application is made in good faith, that the applicant would be aggrieved if the applicant’s grounds are established, and that the applicant’s grounds justify holding a hearing, the commissioner shall, within thirty (30) days after receipt of the application, hold a hearing upon not less than ten (10) days’ written notice to the applicant and to every insurer and rating organization that uses the rate or made the filing; provided, if a public hearing had been held concerning the rate or filing before it became effective, no hearing shall be held pursuant to this section unless the commissioner shall find that there has been a substantial change of circumstances since that hearing.

(b) If, after the hearing, the commissioner finds that the rate or filing does not meet the requirements of this chapter, the commissioner shall issue an order specifying in what respects the commissioner finds that the rate or filing fails to meet the requirements of this chapter, and stating when, within a reasonable period after this, the rate shall no longer be used or the filing shall be deemed no longer effective. That order shall not affect any contract or policy made or issued prior to the expiration of the period set forth in the order. If the commissioner finds that an unfair discrimination exists in the application of a rate or filing to an individual risk, the commissioner may, after a hearing held on similar notice to the insurer affected and to any rating organization that made the filing, issue an order that the discrimination be removed. Copies of any order issued pursuant to this section shall be sent to every affected insurer and rating organization.