Sec. 21.57.080. - Filing of forms and rates.

(a) An insurance policy, certificate of insurance, notice of proposed insurance, insurance disclosure notice, application for insurance, endorsement, and rider delivered or issued for delivery in this state, and the applicable schedules of premium rates shall be filed with the director before being used.

(b) A document required to be filed under (a) of this section must be on file for a waiting period of 30 days before it is used or becomes effective, unless the director gives prior written approval. This period may be extended for an additional 30 days if the director gives written notice within the waiting period to the insurer making the filing. The director shall disapprove a filing if the premium rate charged is not reasonable in relation to benefits or if it contains provisions that are unjust, unfair, inequitable, misleading, deceptive, encourage misrepresentation of the policy, or are contrary to a provision of this title or a regulation adopted under this title. A filing is considered to be approved unless it is disapproved by the director within the waiting period. In determining the reasonableness of premium rates in relation to benefits, the director may consider claim costs, general and administrative expenses, reasonable compensation to producers, profit, or other relevant data.

(c) If the director notifies the insurer that a document required to be filed under (a) of this section is disapproved, the insurer may not issue or use any part of the document. In providing notice of disapproval to the insurer, the director shall specify the reason for disapproval and indicate that the insurer is entitled to a hearing.

(d) The director may, at any time after a hearing, withdraw approval of a filing on the grounds specified under (b) of this section. The director shall provide the insurer at least 20 days' prior written notice of a hearing scheduled by the director, and the notice of the hearing must state the reason for the proposed withdrawal.

(e) An insurer may not issue or use a document required to be filed under (a) of this section after the effective date of a withdrawal of approval under (d) of this section.

(f) If a group policy of consumer credit insurance (1) has been delivered in this state before July 1, 1995, or (2) has been or is delivered in another state before or after July 1, 1995, the insurer shall be required to file only the group certificate and notice of proposed insurance delivered or issued for delivery in this state as specified in AS 21.57.060 (b) and 21.57.070(a).

(g) Consumer credit insurance forms used for insurance described under (f) of this section shall be approved by the director if they conform with the requirements specified in this section and if the schedules of premium rates applicable to the insurance evidenced by the certificate or notice are in accordance with the insurer's schedules of premium rates filed with the director. An item required to be filed under (a) of this section shall also be filed as specified in this chapter unless the item relates to a group policy that is delivered in another state and the director has determined that the other state has substantially similar statutes or regulations to this chapter. Upon this determination, the items required to be filed under (a) of this section shall be filed for informational purposes. If the director subsequently determines that the informational filing is not in compliance with the requirements of this chapter, the insurer may not use the insurance policy, form, certificate, notice of proposed insurance, disclosure notice, advertisement, application for insurance, endorsement, or rider.