515F.4  Rate standards.

Rates shall be made in accordance with the following:

1.  Rates shall not be excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory.

2.  Due consideration may be given to past and prospective loss experience within and outside this state; to the conflagration and catastrophe hazards; to a reasonable margin for profit and contingencies; to dividends, savings, or unabsorbed premium deposits allowed or returned by insurers to their policyholders, members, or subscribers; to past and prospective expenses both within and outside this state; and to all other relevant factors within and outside this state; and in the case of fire insurance rates, consideration shall be given to the experience of the fire insurance business during a period of not less than the most recent five-year period for which experience data is available.

3.  Risks may be grouped by classifications for the establishment of rates and minimum premiums. Classification rates may be modified to produce rates for individual risks in accordance with rating plans which establish standards for measuring variations in hazards or expense provisions, or both. Standards may measure any differences among risks that can be demonstrated to have a probable effect upon losses or expenses. A risk classification, however, shall not be based upon race, creed, national origin, or the religion of the insured.

4.  The expense provisions included in the rates to be used by an insurer shall reflect to the extent possible the operating methods of the insurer and its anticipated expenses.

5.  The rates may contain a provision for contingencies and an allowance permitting a reasonable profit. In determining the reasonableness of the profit, consideration shall be given to investment income attributable to unearned premium and loss reserves. Income from other sources shall not be considered.

Section History: Recent form

  90 Acts, ch 1234, §48

Internal References

  Referred to in § 515F.5, 515F.15, 515F.23, 515F.24, 515F.25


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