TCA § 56-5-107 — Inspection of filings — Surcharges — Residual market mechanisms — Alternative filings
AI-assisted research summary: Most filed rates and related materials are open to public inspection, except trade secrets; insurers must assert trade-secret claims to the commissioner, and certain filings carry specific fee and use rules.
Filings Open to Inspection. All rates, supplementary rate information, policy forms, endorsements, and any supporting information filed under this part shall, as soon as filed, be open to public inspection at any reasonable time, except any information that is a trade secret under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, compiled in title 47, chapter 25, part 17, as determined by the commissioner in the commissioner's sole discretion. The insurer or filer shall have the burden of asserting to the commissioner that the information is a trade secret. Insurers may file certain information with the commissioner for a determination as to whether it would be held to be a trade secret under this subsection (a). Such information shall not be made public during the pendency of the review. Should it be determined that such information is not trade secret information, then the commissioner shall return such information to the insurer or filer. Copies of public information may be obtained by any person on request and upon payment of a reasonable charge. Consent to Rate. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this part, upon written application of an insured, stating specific reasons why a risk requires higher than standard rates on file by an insurer, a rate in excess of that provided by a filing otherwise applicable may be used on a specific risk. An endorsement shall be attached to the policy, giving the reasons and the percentage of surcharge. A copy of the endorsement shall be kept by the insurer and its agent. The copies shall be made available to the commissioner upon request for review to determine that the rates are not excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. Residual Market Mechanism. No filing, whether personal or commercial risk, shall be used for a residual market mechanism until it has become effective pursuant to § 56-5-105. Rate Service Organization Filings. The filings required by §§ 56-5-105 and 56-5-106, except § 56-5-106(d), including advisory prospective loss costs, other than rates for policies issued pursuant to any residual market mechanism for workers' compensation insurance established under § 56-5-114, may be made by a rate service organization designated by an insurer. The filings required by § 56-5-106 for rates for policies issued pursuant to any residual market mechanism established under § 56-5-114 for workers' compensation insurance shall be made by a rate service organization designated by the commissioner. An insurer may make a filing, for lines other than workers' compensation, in compliance with §§ 56-5-105 and 56-5-106 and by giving written notice to the commissioner that the insurer is following rates as filed by a rate service organization in a particular line with any exceptions clearly set forth as are necessary to fully inform the commissioner. Reference Filings. An insurer may file by reference to rates, supplementary rate information, supporting information, and policy forms and endorsements filed by and effective for another insurer or a rate service organization. Number of Rate Filings. A company shall not be limited in the number of rate filings which a company may file in any one (1) calendar year; however, should a company make more than one (1) rate filing in one (1) calendar year for a single type of insurance coverage, the company shall pay to the commissioner for each additional rate filing the fee of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) as well as all costs incurred by the commissioner for an actuarial review of the rate filing. The fee provided for by this subsection (f) and cost requirements shall not apply to advisory prospective loss cost filings by the commissioner's designated rate service organization.