Virginia Law

Article 1. General Provisions.

A. The purposes of this chapter are to protect policyholders and the public against the adverse effects of excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory insurance rates, and to authorize and regulate cooperative action among insurers in rate making and in other matters within the scope of this chapter. Nothing in this chapter is intended to (i) prohibit or discourage reasonable competition, or (ii) prohibit or encourage uniformity in insurance rates, rating systems and rating plans or practices, except to the extent necessary to accomplish the purposes mentioned above.

B. This chapter shall be liberally interpreted to effect the purposes of this chapter.

1952, c. 317, § 38.1-218; 1986, c. 562.

As used in this chapter:

"Pool" means an arrangement, either voluntary or mandated by law, established on an on-going basis, pursuant to which two or more insurers participate in the sharing of risks on a predetermined basis, which arrangement may operate through an association, syndicate, or other pool arrangement.

"Residual market mechanism" means an arrangement, either voluntary or mandated by law, involving participation by insurers in equitable apportionment among themselves of insurance which may be afforded applicants who are unable to obtain insurance through ordinary methods including any filed and approved plans.

"Virginia Auto Insurance Plan" means that organization established for assigned risks pursuant to the provisions of § 46.2-464.

"Virginia Property Insurance Association" means that organization established pursuant to Chapter 27 (§ 38.2-2700 et seq.) of this title.

"Virginia Workers' Compensation Insurance Plan" means that organization established for assigned risks pursuant to the provisions of § 65.2-820.

1993, c. 985.

This chapter applies only to (i) insurance written through the Virginia Workers' Compensation Insurance Plan, (ii) the coverages provided in the Virginia Automobile Insurance Plan, (iii) the coverages provided pursuant to Chapter 27 (§ 38.2-2700 et seq.) of this title, (iv) home protection contracts as defined by § 38.2-2600, and (v) policies and endorsements of credit involuntary unemployment insurance, as defined in § 38.2-122.1, and policies and endorsements of credit property insurance, as defined in § 38.2-122.2, delivered or issued for delivery in this Commonwealth, and certificates of credit involuntary unemployment insurance and certificates of credit property insurance delivered or issued for delivery in this Commonwealth where the group policy is delivered in another state.

Code 1950, §§ 38-195, 38-247, 38-253.43; 1950, p. 1033; 1952, c. 317, § 38.1-220; 1972, c. 836; 1973, c. 504; 1981, c. 530; 1986, c. 562; 1993, c. 985; 2000, c. 526; 2002, c. 145.

A. 1. Each group, association or other organization of insurers that engages in joint underwriting or joint reinsurance for the insurance to which this chapter applies shall file with the Commission (i) a copy of its constitution, its articles of incorporation, agreement or association, and a copy 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.

2. Each such organization of insurers shall notify the Commission promptly of every change in the information required to be filed by this subsection.

3. This subsection shall not apply to the Virginia Automobile Insurance Plan, the Virginia Property Insurance Association and the Virginia Workers' Compensation Insurance Plan.

B. Each group, association or other organization of insurers that engages in joint underwriting for the insurance to which this chapter applies shall be subject to this chapter. Each such organization of insurers that engages in joint reinsurance for the insurance to which this chapter applies shall be subject to § 38.2-2026.

C. If, after providing notice and opportunity to be heard, the Commission finds any activity or practice of any such organization of insurers to be 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.

Code 1950, §§ 38-218.2, 38-249, 38-253.46; 1952, c. 317, § 38.1-224; 1973, c. 504, § 38.1-279.43; 1986, c. 562; 1993, c. 985.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, insurers and rate service organizations participating in joint reinsurance pools organized for the purpose of establishing a residual market mechanism may, in connection with such purpose, act in cooperation with each other in the making of rates, rating systems, policy forms, underwriting rules, surveys, inspections, investigations, the furnishing of statistical or other information on losses and expenses, or the conduct of research.

1993, c. 985.