2023 West Virginia Code › Chapter 33. Insurance › Article 20. Rates and Rating Organizations › §33-20-5. Disapproval of Filings

(a) If within the waiting period or any extension thereof as provided in subsection (e) of section four of this article, the commissioner finds that a filing does not meet the requirements of this article, he shall send to the insurer or rating organization which made such filing, written notice of disapproval of such filing specifying therein in what respects he finds such filing fails to meet the requirements of this article and stating that such filing shall not become effective.
(b) If within thirty days after a special surety filing subject to subsection (f) of section four of this article or if within thirty days after a specific inland marine rate on a risk specially rated by a rating organization subject to subsection (g) of section four of this article has become effective, the commissioner finds that such filing does not meet the requirements of this article, he shall send to the rating organization which made such filing written notice of disapproval of such filing specifying therein in what respects he finds that such filing fails to meet the requirements of this article and stating when, within a reasonable period thereafter, such filing shall be deemed no longer effective. Said disapproval shall not affect any contract made or issued prior to the expiration of the period set forth in said notice.
(c) If at any time subsequent to the applicable review period provided for in subsection (a) or (b) of this section, the commissioner finds that a filing does not meet the requirements of this article, he shall, after notice and hearing to every insurer and rating organization which made such filing, issue an order specifying in what respects he finds that such filing fails to meet the requirements of this article, and stating when, within a reasonable period thereafter, such filing shall be deemed no longer effective. Copies of said order shall be sent to every such insurer and rating organization. Said order shall not affect any contract or policy made or issued prior to the expiration of the period set forth in said order.
(d) Any person or organization aggrieved with respect to any filing which is in effect may demand a hearing thereon. If, after such hearing, the commissioner finds that the filing does not meet the requirements of this article, he shall issue an order specifying in what respects he finds that such filing fails to meet the requirements of this article, and stating when, within a reasonable period thereafter, such filing shall be deemed no longer effective. Said order shall not affect any contract or policy made or issued prior to the expiration of the period set forth in said order.
(e) Any insurer or rating organization, in respect to any filing made by it which is not approved by the commissioner, may demand a hearing thereon.
(f) No manual of classifications, rules, rating plans, or any modification of any of the foregoing which establishes standards for measuring variations in hazards or expense provisions, or both, in the case of casualty insurance to which this article applies and no manual, minimum, class rate, rating schedule, rating plan, rating rule, or any modification of any of the foregoing, in the case of fire insurance to which this article applies, and which has been filed pursuant to the requirements of section four of this article, shall be disapproved if the rates thereby produced meet the requirements of this article.
(g) If, in the opinion of the commissioner, the rate or form filing made by an insurer is of such import that it will affect the public he may, at his discretion, issue notice to such insurer of a public hearing. The notice of public hearing to the insurer making such form or rate filing shall be made by United States mail at least fifteen days prior to hearing date. Notice to the public shall be given by appropriate publication in a newspaper in the form and manner prescribed by chapter twenty- nine-a of this code. The holding of a public hearing as outlined in this subsection shall have the effect of eliminating the right of the party making such filing to demand a hearing as stated in subsections (d) and (e) of this section.