reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 18 - Insurance Agents › § 38.2-1877. Requirements for sale of portable electronics insurance

A. At every location where portable electronics insurance is offered to customers, the vendor shall make available to a prospective customer brochures or other written materials that:
1. Disclose that portable electronics insurance may provide a duplication of coverage already provided by a customer's homeowner's insurance policy, renter's insurance policy, or other source of coverage;
2. State that the purchase of coverage by a customer of portable electronics insurance is not required in order to purchase or lease portable electronics or services;
3. Summarize the material terms of the insurance coverage, including: (i) the identity of the insurer; (ii) the amount of any applicable deductible and how it is to be paid; (iii) benefits of the coverage; and (iv) key terms and conditions of coverage such as whether portable electronics may be repaired or replaced with similar make and model reconditioned or nonoriginal manufacturer parts or equipment; and
4. Summarize the process for filing a claim, including a description of (i) any requirements to return portable electronics and the maximum fee applicable in the event the customer fails to comply with any equipment return requirements and (ii) proof of loss requirements.
B. Portable electronics insurance may be offered on a month-to-month or other periodic basis as an individual policy or a group or master commercial inland marine policy issued to a vendor of portable electronics under which the individual customer may elect to purchase coverage.
C. An insurer or vendor of portable electronics insurance may issue notices and correspondence by mail or by electronic means as set forth in this subsection. The consumer may provide an electronic mail address to the insurer or vendor of portable electronics which shall be considered to be the customer's consent to receive notices and correspondence by electronic means so long as a disclosure to that effect is provided to the customer within 30 days following the purchase of portable electronics insurance.
2011, c. 222; 2019, c. 523.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 18 - Insurance Agents › § 38.2-1879. Suspension or revocation of license

If a vendor of portable electronics or its employee or authorized representative violates any provision of this article, the Commission may do any of the following:
1. After notice and hearing, impose fines and penalties in accordance with § 38.2-218; and
2. After notice and hearing, impose any such other penalties that the Commission deems necessary and reasonable to carry out the purpose of this article, including: (i) suspending the privilege of transacting portable electronics insurance pursuant to this article at specific business locations where violations have occurred; (ii) suspending or revoking the ability of individual employees or authorized representatives to act under the license; and (iii) imposing a penalty in accordance with § 38.2-218 on the licensed producer designated by the vendor pursuant to § 38.2-1820.
2011, c. 222.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 18 - Insurance Agents › § 38.2-1880. What laws applicable; rulemaking authority

A. Except as otherwise provided in this article and except where the context otherwise requires, all of the provisions of this title apply to this article.
B. Pursuant to the authority granted by § 38.2-223, the Commission may promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary or appropriate for the administration and enforcement of this article.
2011, c. 222.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 18 - Insurance Agents › § 38.2-1881. Definitions

As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Covered customer" means a customer who elects coverage under a self storage insurance policy issued to a lessor of self storage units.
"Customer" means a person who leases a self storage unit.
"Lessor" means a person in the business of engaging in self storage unit transactions directly or indirectly.
"Self storage insurance" means insurance providing coverage against loss of or damage to items of personal property stored in a self storage unit in accordance with the terms of the self storage unit rental agreement. Self storage insurance may cover the items of personal property against any one or more of the following causes of loss: fire, hurricane, tornado, wind, earthquake, vandalism, lightning, smoke, hail, building collapse, explosion, leaking water, and burglary. "Self storage insurance" does not include a homeowners, renter's, private passenger automobile, commercial multi-peril, or similar policy.
"Self storage unit" means a unit in a building, part of a building, or place used only for storage of personal property by the customer leasing the unit.
"Self storage unit transaction" means the lease of a self storage unit by a lessor to a customer.
2013, c. 203.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 18 - Insurance Agents › § 38.2-1882. Licensure of lessors

A. A lessor is required to hold a limited lines property and casualty insurance agent license to sell or offer coverage under a policy of self storage insurance.
B. On or before May 1, 2021, and biennially thereafter, each lessor licensed as a limited lines property and casualty insurance agent shall submit to the Commission a renewal application, along with a nonrefundable renewal application processing fee prescribed by the Commission, for the renewal of the license. Any limited lines property and casualty insurance agent license for which the renewal application and nonrefundable renewal application processing fee have been received by the Commission and all other applicable licensing and renewal provisions in this chapter have been met shall, unless the license has been terminated, suspended, or revoked, be renewed for a two-year period. Any limited lines property and casualty insurance agent license for which the renewal application and nonrefundable renewal application processing fee have not been received by the Commission shall automatically be terminated.
C. A license issued under this article shall authorize any employee or authorized representative of a licensed lessor to sell or offer self storage insurance coverage under a policy of self storage insurance to a customer at each location at which the lessor engages in self storage unit transactions.
D. The acts of a licensed lessor's employee or authorized representative offering to sell coverage under a policy of self storage insurance shall be deemed to be the acts of the lessor and the insurer for purposes of this article.
E. Every licensed lessor shall maintain a list of all locations in the Commonwealth where the lessor offers coverage under a policy of self storage insurance and shall make the list available to the Commissioner for inspection upon request.
F. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a license issued pursuant to this article shall authorize the licensed lessor's employees and authorized representatives to engage only in those activities that are expressly permitted in this article.
2013, c. 203; 2019, c. 675.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 18 - Insurance Agents › § 38.2-1883. Requirements for sale of self storage insurance

A. At every location where self storage insurance is offered to customers, the lessor shall make available to a prospective customer brochures or other written materials that:
1. Disclose that self storage insurance may provide a duplication of coverage already provided by a customer's homeowners insurance policy, renter's insurance policy, or other source of coverage;
2. State that the purchase of coverage by a customer of self storage insurance is not required in order to lease a self storage unit;
3. Summarize the material terms of the insurance coverage, including (i) the identity of the insurer; (ii) the amount of any applicable deductible and how it is to be paid; (iii) benefits of the coverage; and (iv) key terms and conditions of coverage; and
4. Summarize the process for filing a claim, including proof of loss requirements.
B. Self storage insurance may be offered on a month-to-month or other periodic basis as an individual policy or a group or master policy issued to a lessor under which the individual customer may elect to purchase coverage.
2013, c. 203.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 18 - Insurance Agents › § 38.2-1885. Suspension or revocation of license

If a lessor or its employee or authorized representative violates any provision of this article, the Commission may do any of the following:
1. After notice and hearing, impose fines and penalties in accordance with § 38.2-218; and
2. After notice and hearing, impose any such other penalties that the Commission deems necessary and reasonable to carry out the purpose of this article, including (i) suspending the privilege of transacting self storage insurance pursuant to this article at specific business locations where violations have occurred; (ii) suspending or revoking the ability of individual employees or authorized representatives to act under the license; and (iii) imposing a penalty in accordance with § 38.2-218 on the licensed producer designated by the lessor pursuant to § 38.2-1820.
2013, c. 203.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 18 - Insurance Agents › § 38.2-1886. What laws applicable; rulemaking authority

A. Except as otherwise provided in this article and except where the context otherwise requires, all of the provisions of this title apply to this article.
B. Pursuant to the authority granted by § 38.2-223, the Commission may promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary or appropriate for the administration and enforcement of this article.
2013, c. 203.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 18 - Insurance Agents › § 38.2-1888.1. Suspension, revocation, or termination of license

A. If a limited lines travel insurance agent or travel retailer or its employee or authorized representative violates any provision of this article, the Commission may do any of the following:
1. After notice and hearing, impose fines and penalties in accordance with § 38.2-218; and
2. After notice and hearing, impose such other penalties that the Commission deems necessary and reasonable to carry out the purpose of this article, including (i) suspending the privilege of transacting travel insurance pursuant to this article at specific business locations where violations have occurred, (ii) suspending or revoking the ability of individual employees or authorized representatives or travel retailers to act under the license, and (iii) imposing a penalty in accordance with § 38.2-218 on the licensed producer designated by the travel insurance agent pursuant to § 38.2-1820.
B. The license authority of any licensed limited lines property and casualty producer selling travel insurance may be terminated if the sole licensed producer designated for the limited lines travel insurance agent's compliance with the insurance laws, rules, and regulations of the Commonwealth is removed for any reason and a new designated licensed producer has not been appointed. The Commission shall be notified within 30 calendar days of such removal and of the newly designated licensed producer.
2019, cc. 266, 346.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 18 - Insurance Agents › § 38.2-1888.2. Travel protection plans

Travel protection plans may be offered for one price for the combined features that the travel protection plan offers in the Commonwealth if:
1. The travel protection plan clearly discloses to the consumer at or prior to the time of purchase that it includes travel insurance, travel assistance services, and cancellation fee waivers, as applicable, and provides information and an opportunity at or prior to the time of purchase for the consumer to obtain additional information regarding the features and pricing of each; and
2. The fulfillment materials (i) describe and delineate the travel insurance, travel assistance services, and cancellation fee waivers in the travel protection plan and (ii) include the travel insurance disclosures and the contact information for persons providing travel assistance services and cancellation fee waivers, as applicable.
2019, cc. 266, 346.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 18 - Insurance Agents › § 38.2-1888.4. Travel administrators

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, no person shall act or represent itself as a travel administrator for travel insurance in the Commonwealth unless that person:
1. Is a licensed property and casualty insurance agent in the Commonwealth for activities permitted under that agent license; or
2. Holds a valid managing general agent (MGA) license in the Commonwealth.
B. An insurer is responsible for the acts of a travel administrator administering travel insurance underwritten by the insurer and is responsible for ensuring that the travel administrator maintains all books and records relevant to the insurer to be made available by the travel administrator to the Commissioner upon request.
2019, cc. 266, 346.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 18 - Insurance Agents › § 38.2-1888.5. Classification of travel insurance

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, travel insurance shall be classified and filed for purposes of rates and forms under the inland marine line of insurance as set forth in § 38.2-126.
B. Travel insurance may be in the form of an individual, group, or blanket policy.
2019, cc. 266, 346.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 18 - Insurance Agents › § 38.2-1889. Suspension, revocation, or termination of license

A. If a limited lines travel insurance agent or travel retailer or its employee or authorized representative violates any provision of this article, the Commission may do any of the following:
1. After notice and hearing, impose fines and penalties in accordance with § 38.2-218; and
2. After notice and hearing, impose such other penalties that the Commission deems necessary and reasonable to carry out the purpose of this article, including (i) suspending the privilege of transacting travel insurance pursuant to this article at specific business locations where violations have occurred, (ii) suspending or revoking the ability of individual employees or authorized representatives or travel retailers to act under the license, and (iii) imposing a penalty in accordance with § 38.2-218 on the licensed producer designated by the travel insurance agent pursuant to § 38.2-1820.
B. The license authority of any licensed limited lines property and casualty producer selling travel insurance may be terminated if the sole licensed responsible producer designated for the limited lines travel insurance agent's compliance with the insurance laws, rules, and regulations of the Commonwealth is removed for any reason and a new responsible producer has not been appointed. The Commission shall be notified within 30 calendar days of such removal and of the newly designated responsible producer.
2013, c. 497.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 18 - Insurance Agents › § 38.2-1890. What laws applicable; rulemaking authority

A. Except as otherwise provided in this article and except where the context otherwise requires, all of the provisions of this title apply to this article.
B. Pursuant to the authority granted by § 38.2-223, the Commission may promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary or appropriate for the administration and enforcement of this article.
2013, c. 497.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1900. Purposes of chapter

A. This chapter shall be liberally construed to achieve the purposes stated in subsection B of this section.
B. The purposes of this chapter are to:
1. Protect policyholders and the public against the adverse effects of excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory rates;
2. Encourage independent action by insurers and reasonable price competition among insurers as the most effective way to produce rates that conform to the standards of subdivision 1;
3. Provide formal regulatory controls for use if independent action and price competition fail;
4. Authorize cooperative action among insurers in the rate making process, and regulate such cooperation in order to prevent practices that tend to create monopoly or to lessen or destroy competition;
5. Provide rates that are responsive to competitive market conditions and improve the availability of insurance in this Commonwealth; and
6. Regulate the business of insurance in a manner that will preclude application of federal antitrust laws.
1973, c. 504, § 38.1-279.29; 1986, c. 562.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1902. Scope of chapter

A. Except as provided in subsection B, this chapter applies to the classes of insurance defined in §§ 38.2-110 through 38.2-122, 38.2-124 through 38.2-128 and 38.2-130 through 38.2-133.
B. This chapter does not apply to:
1. Insurance written through the Virginia Workers' Compensation Plan pursuant to Chapter 20 (§ 38.2-2000 et seq.) of this title;
2. Insurance on a specific risk as provided in § 38.2-1920;
3. Reinsurance, other than joint reinsurance, to the extent stated in § 38.2-1915;
4. Life insurance as defined in § 38.2-102;
5. Annuities as defined in §§ 38.2-106 and 38.2-107;
6. Accident and sickness insurance as defined in § 38.2-109;
7. Title insurance as defined in § 38.2-123;
8. Insurance of vessels or craft used primarily in a trade or business, their cargoes, marine builders' risks and marine protection and indemnity;
9. Insurance against loss of or damage to hulls of aircraft, including their accessories and equipment, or against liability, other than workers' compensation and employers' liability, arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of aircraft;
10. Insurance written through the Virginia Automobile Insurance Plan. However, § 38.2-1905 shall apply to insurance written through the Plan;
11. Insurance provided pursuant to Chapter 27 (§ 38.2-2700 et seq.);
12. Home protection contracts as defined by § 38.2-2600 and their rates until such time as the Commission determines there is sufficient competition in the industry as provided by § 38.2-2608.
C. This chapter shall not apply to any class of insurance written (i) by any mutual assessment property and casualty insurance company organized and operating under the laws of this Commonwealth and doing business only in this Commonwealth or (ii) by any mutual insurance company or association organized under the laws of this Commonwealth, conducting business only in this Commonwealth, and issuing only policies providing for perpetual insurance.
1973, c. 504, § 38.1-279.31; 1976, c. 636; 1981, c. 530; 1986, c. 562; 1987, c. 519; 1993, cc. 774, 985; 1995, cc. 744, 803; 2000, c. 526; 2002, c. 145; 2022, c. 180.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1903. Exemptions

The Commission may by rule exempt any person, class of persons, or market segment from any or all of the provisions of this chapter to the extent that it finds their application unnecessary to achieve the purposes of this chapter. Retrospective rating plans and large deductible plans for use in writing workers' compensation insurance for large risks shall be exempt from the filing requirements of Chapter 19 (§ 38.2-1900 et seq.). For purposes of this section, large risks are risks which generate total estimated standard premium for workers' compensation insurance of at least $250,000 annually (or less or in combination with other lines if approved by the Commission). Large deductible plans shall be defined for the purposes of this section as workers' compensation rating plans that include a per claim deductible of at least $100,000. Workers' compensation insurance for large risks may be retrospectively rated, or rated under a large deductible rating plan, as mutually agreed upon by the insurer and the insured in writing. A copy of any large risk retrospective rating plan and large deductible plan shall be made available to the Commission upon request. Notwithstanding these exemptions for retrospective rating plans and large deductible plans for large risks, insurers' experience attributable to large risks shall be filed with the Commission in accordance with § 38.2-1919.
1973, c. 504, § 38.1-279.32; 1986, c. 562; 1997, c. 153; 1999, c. 491.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1905. Motor vehicle insurer not to charge points or increase premiums in certain instances

A. No insurer may increase its insured's premium or may charge points under a safe driver insurance plan to its insured as a result of a motor vehicle accident unless the accident was caused either wholly or partially by the named insured, a resident of the same household, or other customary operator. No insurer may increase its insured's premium or may charge points to its insured where the operator causing the accident is a principal operator insured under a separate policy. Any insurer increasing a premium or charging points as a result of a motor vehicle accident shall notify the named insured in writing and in the same notification shall inform the named insured that he may appeal the decision of the insurer to the Commissioner if he feels his premium has increased or he has been charged points as a result of a motor vehicle accident without just cause. Such notice shall include the requirements that the appeal be in writing and made within 60 days of receipt of the notice of any premium increase adjustment or of any point charge resulting from a motor vehicle accident.
B. An appeal of a premium increase or of a point charge by the named insured shall be requested in writing within sixty days of receipt of the notice of any premium adjustment or of any point charge resulting from a motor vehicle accident. Upon receipt of the request, the Commissioner shall promptly initiate a review to determine whether the premium increase or the point charge is justified. The premium increase or the point charge shall remain in full force and effect until the Commissioner rules that the premium be adjusted or the point charge be removed because it is not justified, or because the point charge was not assigned in accord with the insurer's filed rating plan, and so notifies the insurer and the insured. Upon receipt of the ruling, the insurer shall promptly refund any premiums paid as a direct result of the premium increase or the point charge, and shall adjust future billings to reflect the Commissioner's ruling.
C. No insurer shall assign points under a safe-driver insurance policy to any vehicle other than the vehicle customarily driven by the operator responsible for incurring points.
D. If an insured is a law-enforcement officer, as defined in § 9.1-101, no insurer may increase such insured's personal insurance premium or may charge points under a safe driver insurance plan to such insured as a result of an accident which occurred in the course of the insured's employment as a law-enforcement officer while the insured was driving a motor vehicle provided by the employing law-enforcement agency and was engaged in a law-enforcement activity at the time of such accident.
1981, c. 243, § 38.1-279.33:1; 1986, c. 562; 1990, cc. 275, 960; 1994, c. 925; 2016, c. 558.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1906.1. Misquote of premium

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, if an insurer or its agent provides a written quotation for insurance to an insured or applicant for insurance and the rate filing in effect for the insurer results in a premium increase of ten percent or more over the quoted premium, the insured or applicant may, within fifteen days of written notification of the increase by the insurer or its agent, request cancellation of the contract or policy. The insurer shall, upon receipt of such request, cancel the contract or policy calculating the earned premium pro rata using the premium originally quoted by the insurer or its agent. Nothing in this section shall apply to any increase in premium which is the result of incorrect information furnished by the insured or applicant or information omitted by the insured or applicant.
1990, c. 503.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1907. Filings open to inspection

Each filing and all supplementary rate information filed under this chapter, other than information contained therein or filed therewith that constitutes a trade secret, as defined in § 59.1-336, shall be open to public inspection. The insurer or other person making such a filing shall have the burden of persuading the Commissioner that information constitutes a trade secret. Copies of materials open to public inspection may be obtained by any person on request and upon payment of a reasonable charge for the copies. Where feasible, the Commission shall compile and make available to the public the lists of rates charged by insurers for or in connection with the insurance contracts or policies to which this chapter applies so as to inform the public of price competition among insurers.
1973, c. 504, § 38.1-279.35; 1986, c. 562; 2010, c. 234.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1908. Rate making and delegation of filing obligation

A. An insurer shall establish rates and supplementary rate information for any market segment based on the factors in § 38.2-1904. A rate service organization shall establish prospective loss costs and supplementary rate information for any market segment based on the factors in § 38.2-1904. An insurer may use supplementary rate information prepared by a rate service organization and may use prospective loss costs determined by the rate service organization with modification for its own expense and profit. The insurer may modify the prospective loss costs based on its own loss experience as the credibility of that loss experience allows.
B. An insurer may discharge its obligation to file supplementary rate information under subsection A of § 38.2-1906 by giving notice to the Commission that it uses supplementary rate information prepared and filed with the Commission by a designated rate service organization of which it is a member, subscriber, or service purchaser. The Commission may by order require an insurer to provide information in addition to that filed by the rate service organization. The insurer's supplementary rate information shall be that filed from time to time by the rate service organization, including any amendments to the supplementary rate information, subject to modifications filed by the insurer.
C. Every insurer shall adhere to the uniform classification system, uniform experience rating plan, and uniform statistical plan approved by the Commission in the provision of insurance defined in § 38.2-119. An insurer may develop subclassifications of the uniform classification system upon which rates for insurance defined in § 38.2-119 may be made; however, such subclassification must first be filed with and approved by the Commission. An insurer filing such subclassifications must certify to the Commission that the data it produces can be reported in a manner consistent with the uniform statistical plan and uniform classification system of its designated rate service organization.
1973, c. 504, § 38.1-279.36; 1976, c. 275; 1982, c. 201; 1986, c. 562; 1987, c. 697; 1990, c. 596; 1993, c. 985.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1909. Review of rates by Commission

The Commission may investigate and determine, (i) upon its own motion, (ii) at the request of any citizen or any interested party in this Commonwealth, or (iii) at the request of any insurer subject to this chapter, whether rates in this Commonwealth for the classes of insurance to which this chapter applies are excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory or whether loss experience and other factors within the Commonwealth are being properly used to determine the rates. In any such investigation and determination the Commission shall give separate consideration to those factors in the manner specified in § 38.2-1904.
1973, c. 504, § 38.1-279.37; 1986, c. 562; 1987, c. 697.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1911. Special restrictions on individual insurers

A. The Commission may by order require that a particular insurer file any or all of its rates and supplementary rate information thirty days prior to their effective date, if the Commission finds, after providing notice and opportunity to be heard, that the protection of the interests of the insurer's policyholders and the public in this Commonwealth requires closer supervision of the insurer's rates because of the insurer's financial condition or repetitive filing of rates that are not in compliance with § 38.2-1904. The Commission may extend the waiting period of any filing for thirty additional days by written notice to the insurer before the first thirty-day period expires.
B. The filing shall be approved or disapproved during the waiting period or during its extension. If the filing is not disapproved before the expiration of the waiting period or of its extension, the filing shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this chapter, subject to the possibility of subsequent disapproval under § 38.2-1910.
C. Any insurer affected by an order entered under subsection A of this section may request a rehearing by the Commission after the expiration of twelve months from the date of the Commission's former order.
1973, c. 504, § 38.1-279.39; 1986, c. 562.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1912.1. Approval of prospective loss costs and supplementary rate information; § 38.2-119 rate filings

A. No prospective loss costs or supplementary rate information for insurance as defined in § 38.2-119 shall be applied or be used in this Commonwealth until it has been approved by the Commission.
B. Prospective loss costs and supplementary rate information filed under this section shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this chapter and may be applied or used unless disapproved by the Commission within sixty days of the time that the filing was made. The Commission may extend the waiting period for an additional thirty days by written notice to the filer before the sixty-day period expires.
C. If a filing is not accompanied by the information necessary for the Commission to determine if the requirements of § 38.2-1904 are satisfied, the Commission shall so inform the filer within sixty days of the initial filing, and the filing shall be deemed to be made when the necessary information is furnished.
D. The provisions of subsection B of this section shall be suspended when the Commission has ordered a hearing to be held. The provisions of § 38.2-2007 pertaining to public notice, hearings, and approvals shall apply to filings made under this section.
E. Upon making a filing under this section, the filer shall give notice to the Division of Consumer Counsel of the Office of Attorney General that such a filing has been made and shall certify to the Commission that such a notice has been given.
F. Once a filing has been approved under this section, an insurer may use the information in such filing pursuant to the provisions of §§ 38.2-1906 and 38.2-1908.
1993, c. 985.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1913. Operation and control of rate service organizations

A. No rate service organization shall provide any service relating to the rates of any insurance subject to this chapter, and no insurer shall use the service of a rate service organization for such purposes unless the rate service organization has obtained a license under § 38.2-1914.
B. No rate service organization shall refuse to supply any services for which it is licensed in this Commonwealth to any insurer authorized to do business in this Commonwealth and offering to pay the fair and usual compensation for the services.
C. Any rate service organization subject to this chapter may provide for the examination of policies, daily reports, binders, renewal certificates, endorsements, other evidences of insurance, or evidences of the cancellation of insurance, and may make reasonable rules governing their submission and the correction of any errors or omissions in them. This provision applies to the classes of insurance for which the rate service organization is licensed pursuant to § 38.2-1914.
D. A rate service organization may develop a uniform policy and uniform (i) statistical plans, (ii) experience rating plans, and (iii) classification systems for use by its members in the provision of insurance defined in § 38.2-119 and the reporting of the experience of this line of insurance. Each rate service organization may also develop manual rules for the recording and reporting of experience data of members pursuant to its uniform plans and systems. Such uniform plans, systems, and rules shall be filed with the Commission by the rate service organization and be approved prior to their use by members of the rate service organization.
E. No insurer shall be required to become a member or subscriber to any rate service organization.
1973, c. 504, § 38.1-279.41; 1986, c. 562; 1990, c. 596; 1993, c. 985.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1914. Licensing of rate service organizations

A. A rate service organization applying for a license as required by § 38.2-1913 shall include with its application:
1. A copy of its constitution, charter, articles of organization, agreement, association or incorporation, and a copy of its bylaws, plan of operation and any other rules or regulations governing the conduct of its business;
2. A list of its members and subscribers;
3. The name and address of one or more residents of this Commonwealth upon whom notices, process affecting it or orders of the Commission may be served;
4. A statement showing its technical qualifications for acting in the capacity for which it seeks a license; and
5. Any other relevant information and documents that the Commission may require.
B. Each organization which has applied for a license under subsection A of this section shall promptly notify the Commission of every material change in the facts or in the documents on which its application was based.
C. If the Commission 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 have been met, the Commission shall issue a license specifying the authorized activity of the applicant.
D. Licenses issued under subsection C of this section shall remain in effect until the licensee withdraws from the Commonwealth or until the license is suspended or revoked.
E. Any amendment to a document filed under subdivision 1 of subsection A of this section shall be filed promptly after it becomes effective. Failure to comply with this subsection shall be a ground for revocation of the license granted under subsection C of this section.
1973, c. 504, § 38.1-279.42; 1986, c. 562.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1915. Joint underwriting or joint reinsurance organizations

A. Each group, association or other organization of insurers that engages in joint underwriting or joint reinsurance for a class of insurance to which this chapter applies shall file with the Commission (i) a copy of its constitution, articles of incorporation, agreement or association, and of its bylaws, rules and regulations governing its activities, all duly certified by the custodian of the originals of the copies, (ii) a list of its members, and (iii) the name and address of a resident of this Commonwealth upon whom notices or orders of the Commission or process may be served.
B. Each such organization of insurers shall notify the Commission promptly of every change in the information required to be filed by subsection A of this section.
C. Each group, association or other organization of insurers that engages in joint underwriting for a class of insurance to which this chapter applies shall be subject to this chapter. Each such organization of insurers that engages in joint reinsurance for a class of insurance to which this chapter applies shall be subject to §§ 38.2-1926, 38.2-1927, and 38.2-1928.
D. If, after providing notice and opportunity to be heard, the Commission finds that any activity or practice of any such organization of insurers is unfair, unreasonable or otherwise inconsistent with this chapter, it shall issue a written order (i) specifying in what respect the activity or practice is unfair, unreasonable or otherwise inconsistent with this chapter, and (ii) requiring the discontinuance of the activity or practice.
1973, c. 504, § 38.1-279.43; 1986, c. 562.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1916. Certain conduct by insurers and rate service organizations prohibited

A. As used in this section, the word "insurer" includes two or more insurers (i) under common management, (ii) under common controlling ownership or (iii) under other common effective legal control and in fact engaged in joint or cooperative underwriting, investment management, marketing, servicing or administration of their business and affairs as insurers.
B. No insurer or rate service organization shall:
1. Combine or conspire with any other person to monopolize or attempt to monopolize the business of insurance or any kind, subdivision or class of insurance;
2. Agree with any other insurer or rate service organization to charge or adhere to any rate, although insurers and rate service organizations may continue to exchange statistical information;
3. Make any agreement with any other insurer, rate service organization or other person to restrain trade unreasonably;
4. Make any agreement with any other insurer, rate service organization or other person that may substantially lessen competition in any kind, subdivision or class of insurance; or
5. Make any agreement with any other insurer or rate service organization to refuse to deal with any person in connection with the sale of insurance.
C. No insurer may acquire or retain any capital stock or assets of, or have any common management with, any other insurer if such acquisition, retention or common management substantially lessens competition in the business of insurance or any kind, subdivision or class thereof.
D. No rate service organization, or any of its members or subscribers, shall interfere with the right of any insurer to make its rates independently of the rate service organization.
E. No rate service organization shall have or adopt any rule, exact any agreement, or engage in any program that would require any member, subscriber or other insurer to utilize some or all of its services, or to adhere to its rates, rating plans, rating systems, underwriting rules, or policy forms, or to prevent any insurer from acting independently. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to insurance defined in § 38.2-119, a rate service organization may develop uniform (i) policies, (ii) classification systems, (iii) statistical plans, (iv) experience rating plans, and (v) manual rules which shall be adhered to by its members.
1976, c. 279, § 38.1-279.44:1; 1986, c. 562; 1990, c. 596; 1993, c. 985.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1916.2. Penalties; injunctive relief; restitution

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 38.2-218, any insurer, rate service organization or other person who knowingly or willfully violates any provision of § 38.2-1916 shall be punished for each such violation by a penalty of not more than $100,000 and may be subject to suspension or revocation of any license issued by the Commission.
B. Any person threatened with injury or damage to his business or property by reason of a violation of § 38.2-1916 may petition the Commission for injunctive relief pursuant to § 38.2-220.
C. The Commission may require an insurer, rate service organization, or other person to make restitution in the amount of the direct actual financial loss, including any costs associated with bringing such a matter before the Commission and reasonable attorney's fees, to (i) the Commonwealth, a political subdivision thereof, or any public agency injured in its business or property or (ii) any person injured in his business or property by reason of a violation of § 38.2-1916. If the Commission finds that the violation is willful or flagrant, it may increase the restitution payment to an amount not in excess of three times the actual damages sustained.
1990, c. 596.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1917. Injunctive relief

Any person injured in his business or property by reason of any violation of § 38.2-1916 may maintain an action to enjoin the violation.
1976, c. 279, § 38.1-279.44:3; 1986, c. 562.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1918. Agreements for equitable apportionment of insurance

A. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the making of agreements among insurers for the equitable apportionment among them of insurance which may be afforded applicants who are in good faith entitled to but who are unable to procure it through ordinary methods. Insurers may agree among themselves on the use of reasonable rate modifications for such insurance. These agreements and rate modifications shall be subject to the approval of the Commission.
B. The Commission may approve policy forms and endorsements for use by such insurers with respect to insurance afforded such applicants.
1973, c. 504, § 38.1-279.45; 1986, c. 562.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1919. Collection of experience data; uniformity; compilations available to insurers and rate service organizations

A. The Commission may promulgate reasonable rules and statistical plans for each of the rating systems on file with it, which may be modified from time to time. These rules and plans shall be used by each insurer in the recording and reporting of its loss and countrywide expense experience, so that the experience of all insurers may be made available, at least annually, in the form and detail necessary to aid the Commission in determining whether rating systems comply with the standards set forth in § 38.2-1904. The rules and plans may also provide for the recording and reporting of expense experience items that are specially applicable to this Commonwealth and cannot be determined by prorating the countrywide experience.
B. In promulgating the rules and plans the Commission shall give due consideration (i) to the rating systems on file with it and (ii) to the rules and to the form of the plans used for rating systems in other states so that the rules and plans may be as uniform as is practicable among the several states.
C. The Commission may designate one or more rate service organizations or other agencies to assist it in gathering the experience data and making compilations of it. These compilations shall be made available, subject to reasonable rules promulgated by the Commission, to insurers and rate service organizations. Any rate service organization designated by the Commission shall retain the experience data and compilations of the experience data in the format and detail required by the applicable statistical plan and shall submit this information to the Commission upon request. Any rate service organization designated by the Commission to gather and compile experience data for any classification of workers' compensation insurance that includes coal mining shall report such data annually to the Commission for the most recent five years for which such data is available.
D. Every rate service organization that has uniform (i) statistical plans, (ii) classification systems, (iii) experience rating plans, and (iv) manual rules filed and approved in accordance with the provisions of § 38.2-1913 D shall gather and compile the experience data of its members for insurance as defined in § 38.2-119. Each member insurer shall adhere to such uniform plans, systems, and rules of its designated rate service organization in the recording of its experience and the reporting of such information to the rate service organization. Each rate service organization that gathers and compiles information pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to the provisions of subsection C as to the availability, retention, and filing of the experience data of its members.
1973, c. 504, § 38.1-279.46; 1976, c. 329; 1986, c. 562; 1993, c. 985; 2003, c. 222.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1919.1. Interchange of rating data and information

To promote uniform administration of rate regulatory laws, the Commission and each insurer and each rate service organization subject to this chapter may (i) exchange information and experience data with insurance supervisory officials, insurers, and rate service organizations in other states and (ii) consult with them regarding rate making and the application of rating schedules and rating plans. Reasonable rules and plans may be promulgated by the Commission for the interchange of data necessary for the application of rating plans.
1993, c. 985.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1920. Excess rate for a specific risk

Subject to the Commission's approval, a rate in excess of that provided by an applicable filing may be used for a specific risk upon the filing of (i) written application of the insurer stating its reasons for the increased rate and (ii) the written consent of the insured or prospective insured.
1973, c. 504, § 38.1-279.47; 1986, c. 562.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1921. Combination policies

The Commission may approve for use in this Commonwealth policies or forms for writing at divisible or indivisible rates and premiums any combination of the classes of insurance set forth in subsection A of § 38.2-1902, except insurance on or with respect to operating properties of railroads. The rates and premiums for combination policies, whether divisible or indivisible, shall be subject to this chapter.
1973, c. 504, § 38.1-279.49; 1986, c. 562.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 38.2 - Insurance › Chapter 19 - Regulation of Rates Generally › § 38.2-1922. No rule prohibiting or regulating payment of dividends, etc., to be adopted

No rate service organization subject to this chapter shall adopt any rule prohibiting or regulating the payment of dividends, savings or unabsorbed premium deposits allowed or returned by insurers to their policyholders, members or subscribers.
1973, c. 504, § 38.1-279.50; 1986, c. 562.