Chapter 3935 | Rating Bureaus

Section 3935.01 | Effect of sections - liberal interpretation.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Sections 3935.01 to 3935.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code do not prohibit or discourage reasonable competition, or prohibit or encourage uniformity in insurance rates, rating systems, rating plans, or practices. Such sections shall be liberally interpreted to carry this section into effect.

Section 3935.02 | Application of sections - exceptions.

• Effective: January 14, 1972
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 598 - 109th General Assembly

Sections 3935.01 to 3935.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code apply to all kinds of insurance on risks located in this state which stock, mutual, reciprocal fire and marine insurers, and title insurance companies, as defined in division (C) of section 3953.01 of the Revised Code, except mutual protective associations organized under section 3939.01 of the Revised Code, may write.

Sections 3935.01 to 3935.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code do not apply:

(A) To reinsurance, other than joint reinsurance to the extent stated in section 3935.13 of the Revised Code;

(B) To insurance of vessels or craft, their cargoes, marine builders' risks, marine protection and indemnity, or other risks commonly insured under marine, as distinguished from inland marine, insurance policies;

(C) To insurance of hulls of aircraft, including their accessories and equipment, or against liability arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of aircraft;

(D) To motor vehicles insurance, or to insurance against liability arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of motor vehicles;

(E) To casualty insurance, including fidelity, surety, and guaranty bonds whether or not fire insurance companies may write such kinds of insurance.

If any kind of insurance, subdivision or combination thereof, or type of coverage, subject to sections 3935.01 to 3935.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code, is also subject to regulation by other rate-regulatory sections of the Revised Code, an insurer to which both laws are otherwise applicable shall file with the superintendent of insurance a designation as to which of said rate-regulatory sections are applicable to it with respect to such kind of insurance, subdivision or combination thereof, or type of coverage.

Section 3935.03 | Rating regulations.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Rates shall be made as follows:

(A) Manual, minimum class rates, rating schedules, or rating plans shall be made and adopted, except in the case of specific inland marine rates on risks specially rated.

(B) Rates shall not be excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory.

(C) Consideration shall be given to:

(1) Past and prospective loss experience within and outside this state;

(2) Conflagration and catastrophe hazards;

(3) A reasonable margin for underwriting profit and contingencies;

(4) Dividends, savings, or unabsorbed premium deposits allowed or returned by insurers to their policyholders, members, or subscribers;

(5) Past and prospective expenses both countrywide and those specially applicable to this state;

(6) All other relevant factors within and outside this state;

(7) In the case of fire insurance rates, the experience of the fire insurance business during a period of not less than the most recent five year period for which such experience is available.

Except to the extent necessary to comply with division (B) of this section, uniformity among insurers in any matters within the scope of this section is neither required nor prohibited.

Rates made in accordance with this section may be used subject to sections 3935.01 to 3935.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code.

Section 3935.04 | Filing of rates and schedules with superintendent - procedure.

• Effective: October 24, 2024
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 175 - 135th General Assembly

As used in sections 3935.01 to 3935.17 of the Revised Code, "filing" or "filings" means the whole or any part thereof.

(A)(1) Every insurer shall file with the superintendent of insurance, except as to inland marine risks which by general custom of the business are not written according to manual rates or rating plans, every form of a policy, endorsement, rider, manual, minimum class rate, rating schedule, or rating plan, and every other rating rule, and every modification of any of them, which it proposes to use. Every such filing shall state the proposed effective date thereof, and shall indicate the character and extent of the coverage contemplated. When a filing is not accompanied by the information upon which the insurer supports the filing, and the superintendent does not have sufficient information to determine whether the filing meets the requirements of sections 3935.01 to 3935.17 of the Revised Code, the superintendent shall require the insurer to furnish the information upon which it supports the filing, and in such event the waiting period shall commence as of the date the information is furnished. The information furnished in support of a filing may include the experience or judgment of the insurer or rating bureau making the filing, its interpretation of any statistical data it relies upon, the experience of other insurers or rating bureaus, or any other relevant factors. A filing and any supporting information shall be open to public inspection after the filing becomes effective. Trade secrets contained in any filing or in any supporting information shall not be open to public inspection, are not a public record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code, and the release of such trade secrets is prohibited. Specific inland marine rates on risks specially rated, made by a rating bureau, shall be filed with the superintendent.

(2) As used in division (A)(1) of this section, "trade secret" has the same meaning as in section 1333.61 of the Revised Code.

(B) An insurer may satisfy its obligation to make such filings by becoming a member of, or a subscriber to, a licensed rating bureau which makes such filings, and by authorizing the superintendent to accept such filings on its behalf, but sections 3935.01 to 3935.17 of the Revised Code do not require any insurer to become a member of, or a subscriber to, any rating bureau.

(C) The superintendent shall review filings as soon as reasonably possible after they have been made in order to determine whether they meet the requirements of sections 3935.01 to 3935.17 of the Revised Code.

(D) Subject to the exception specified in division (E) of this section, each filing shall be on file for a waiting period of thirty days before it becomes effective. Upon written application by such insurer or rating bureau, the superintendent may authorize a filing which the superintendent has reviewed to become effective before the expiration of the waiting period. A filing complies with sections 3935.01 to 3935.17 of the Revised Code unless it is disapproved by the superintendent within the waiting period.

(E) Specific inland marine rates on risks specially rated by a rating bureau become effective when filed and comply with sections 3935.01 to 3935.17 of the Revised Code until the superintendent reviews the filing and so long thereafter as the filing remains in effect.

(F) Notwithstanding Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the superintendent may, by written order, without notice or hearing, suspend or modify the requirements of a filing as to any kind of insurance, subdivision or combination thereof, or classes of risks, the rates for which cannot practicably be filed before they are used. Such orders shall be made known to insurers and rating bureaus affected thereby. The superintendent may make such examinations as the superintendent deems advisable to ascertain whether any rates affected by such order meet the standards set forth in division (B) of section 3935.03 of the Revised Code.

(G) Upon the written application of the insured, stating the insured's reasons therefor, a rate in excess of that provided by a filing otherwise applicable may be used on any specific risk.

(H) A commercial insurance policy form or endorsement that is unique in character and designed for a particular risk is exempt from filing, except that the superintendent may, by regulation or order, prescribe specific restrictions relating to the exemption.

(I) An insurer shall retain any insurance policy form, endorsement, or rate that is exempt from filing under division (F), (G), or (H) of this section and all supporting documentation, for not less than three years after the effective date of the exempt policy form, endorsement, or rate. Upon request of the superintendent during that period, the insurer shall make such policy form, endorsement, or rate, and the supporting documentation available for inspection by the superintendent.

(J) No insurer shall make or issue a contract or policy except in accordance with the filings which are in effect for the insurer as provided in sections 3935.01 to 3935.17 of the Revised Code or in accordance with division (F), (G), or (H) of this section. This division does not apply to contracts or policies for inland marine risks as to which filings are not required.

Last updated August 16, 2024 at 8:47 AM

Section 3935.05 | Processing of filings.

• Effective: July 22, 1994
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 715 - 120th General Assembly

(A) If within the waiting period as provided in division (D) of section 3935.04 of the Revised Code, the superintendent of insurance finds that a filing does not meet the requirements of section 3935.01 to 3935.17 of the Revised Code, he shall send to the insurer or rating bureau that made the filing, written notice of disapproval of the filing, specifying therein in what respects he finds the filing fails to comply with those sections and stating that the filing shall not become effective.

(B) If within thirty days after a specific inland marine rate on a risk specially rated by a rating bureau, subject to division (E) of section 3935.04 of the Revised Code has become effective, the superintendent finds that the filing does not comply with sections 3935.01 to 3935.17 of the Revised Code, he shall send to the rating bureau that made the filing written notice of disapproval of the filing, specifying therein in what respects he finds that the filing fails to comply with those sections and stating when, within a reasonable period thereafter, the filing shall be no longer effective. The disapproval shall not affect any contract made or issued prior to the expiration of the period set forth in the notice.

(C) If at any time subsequent to the applicable review period provided for in divisions (A) or (B) of this section, the superintendent finds that a filing does not comply with sections 3935.01 to 3935.17 of the Revised Code, he shall, after a hearing held upon not less than ten days' written notice, as provided in division (F) of this section, to every insurer and rating bureau that made the filing, specifying the matters to be considered at the hearing, issue an order specifying in what respects he finds that the filing fails to comply with those sections, and stating when, within a reasonable period thereafter, the filing shall be no longer effective. Copies of the order shall be sent to such insurer or rating bureau. The order shall not affect any contract or policy made or issued prior to the expiration of the period set forth in the order.

(D) Any person or organization aggrieved with respect to any filing that is in effect may make written application to the superintendent for a hearing thereon, provided that the insurer or rating organization that made the filing may not proceed under this division. The application shall specify the grounds to be relied upon by the applicant. If the superintendent finds that the application is made in good faith, that the applicant would be so aggrieved if his grounds are established, and that such grounds otherwise justify holding such a hearing, he shall, within thirty days after receipt of the application, hold a hearing upon not less than ten days' written notice to the applicant and, as provided in division (F) of this section, to every insurer and rating bureau that made such filing.

If, after the hearing, the superintendent finds that the filing does not comply with sections 3935.01 to 3935.17 of the Revised Code, he shall issue an order specifying in what respects he finds that the filing fails to comply with those sections, and stating when, within a reasonable period thereafter, the filing shall be no longer effective. Copies of the order shall be sent to the applicant and to such insurer or rating bureau. The order shall not affect any contract or policy made or issued prior to the expiration of the period set forth in the order.

(E) No manual, minimum class rate, rating schedule, rating plan, rating rule, or any modification of any of the foregoing, which has been filed pursuant to section 3935.04 of the Revised Code shall be disapproved if the rates thereby produced comply with sections 3935.01 to 3935.17 of the Revised Code.

(F) Every rating bureau or organization receiving a notice of hearing or copy of an order under division (C) or (D) of this section shall promptly notify all of its members or subscribers that would be affected by the hearing or order. Notice to a rating bureau or organization of a hearing or order shall be deemed notice to its members or subscribers.

Section 3935.06 | Licenses for rating bureaus - discrimination prohibited - review by superintendent.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

A corporation, an unincorporated association, a partnership, or an individual, whether located within or outside this state, may make application to the superintendent of insurance for license as a rating bureau for such kinds of insurance, or subdivision or class of risk or a part or combination thereof, as are specified in its application and shall file the following therewith:

(A) A copy of its constitution, of its articles of agreement or association or its certificate of incorporation, and of its bylaws, rules, and regulations governing the conduct of its business;

(B) A list of its members and subscribers;

(C) The name and address of a resident of this state upon whom notices or orders of the superintendent, or process affecting such rating bureau, may be served;

(D) A statement of its qualifications as a rating bureau.

If the superintendent finds that the applicant is competent, trustworthy, and otherwise qualified to act as a rating bureau and that its constitution, its articles of agreement or association or certificate of incorporation, and its bylaws, rules, and regulations governing the conduct of its business conform to the law, he shall issue a license specifying the kinds of insurance, or subdivision or class of risk or part or combination thereof, for which the applicant is authorized to act as a rating bureau. Every such application shall be granted or denied in whole or in part by the superintendent within sixty days of the date of its filing with him. Licenses issued pursuant to this section shall remain in effect for three years unless sooner suspended or revoked by the superintendent. The fee for said license shall be twenty-five dollars. Licenses issued pursuant to this section may be suspended or revoked by the superintendent, after hearing upon notice, in the event the rating bureau ceases to comply with this division. Every rating bureau shall notify the superintendent promptly of every change in any of the items described in divisions (A), (B), and (C) of this section.

Subject to rules and regulations which have been approved by the superintendent as reasonable, each rating bureau shall permit any insurer, not a member, to be a subscriber to its rating services for any kind of insurance, or subdivision or class of risk or a part or combination thereof, for which it is authorized to act as a rating bureau. Notice of proposed changes in such rules and regulations shall be given to subscribers. Each rating bureau shall furnish its rating services without discrimination to its members and subscribers. The reasonableness of any rule or regulation in its application to subscribers, or the refusal of any rating bureau to admit an insurer as a subscriber, shall at the request of any subscriber or any such insurer, be reviewed by the superintendent at a hearing held upon at least ten days' written notice to such rating bureau and to such subscriber or insurer. If the superintendent finds that such rule or regulation is unreasonable in its application to subscribers, he shall order that such rule or regulation is not applicable to subscribers. If the rating bureau fails to grant or reject an insurer's application for subscribership within thirty days after it was made, the insurer may request a review by the superintendent as if the application had been rejected. If the superintendent finds that the insurer has been refused admittance to the rating bureau as a subscriber without justification, he shall order the rating bureau to admit the insurer as a subscriber. If he finds that the action of the rating bureau was justified, he shall make an order affirming its action.

No rating bureau shall adopt any rule which would prohibit or regulate the payment of dividends, savings, or unabsorbed premium deposits allowed or returned by insurers to their policyholders, members, or subscribers.

Co-operation among rating bureaus, or among rating bureaus and insurers, in rate making or in other matters covered by sections 3935.01 to 3935.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code, is authorized, provided the filings resulting from such co-operation are subject to all such sections which are applicable to filings generally. The superintendent may review such co-operative activities and practices and if, after a hearing, he finds that any such activity or practice is unfair, unreasonable, or otherwise inconsistent with such sections, he may issue a written order specifying in what respects such activity or practice is unfair, unreasonable, or otherwise inconsistent, and requiring the discontinuance of such activity or practice.

Any rating bureau may provide for the examination of policies, daily reports, binders, renewal certificates, indorsements, or other evidences of insurance, or the cancellation thereof, and may make reasonable rules governing their submission. Such rules shall contain a provision that, in the event any insurer does not within sixty days furnish satisfactory evidence to the rating bureau of the correction of any error or omission previously called to its attention by such rating bureau, the rating bureau shall notify the superintendent thereof. All information submitted for such examination shall be confidential.

Any rating bureau may subscribe for or purchase actuarial, technical, or other services, and such services shall be available to all members and subscribers without discrimination.

Last updated February 23, 2022 at 3:20 PM

Section 3935.07 | Deviation from rates filed by bureau.

• Effective: May 23, 1980
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 749 - 113th General Assembly

Every member of, or subscriber to, a rating bureau shall adhere to the filings made on its behalf by the bureau, except that any insurer who is such a member or subscriber may make written application to the superintendent of insurance for permission to file a deviation from the class rates, schedules, rating plans, or rules respecting any kind of insurance or class of risk within a kind of insurance, or combination thereof. Such application shall specify the basis for the modification, and a copy of the application shall be sent simultaneously to the rating bureau. The superintendent shall set a time and place for a hearing at which the insurer and the rating bureau may be heard, and shall give them not less than ten days' written notice thereof. If the superintendent is advised by the rating bureau that it does not desire a hearing, he may, upon the consent of the applicant, waive the hearing. In considering the application for permission to file the deviation, the superintendent shall give consideration to the available statistics and the principles for rate making as provided in section 3935.03 of the Revised Code. The superintendent shall issue an order permitting the deviation for such insurer to be filed if he finds it is justified, and it shall thereupon become effective. He shall issue an order denying such application if he finds that the resulting premiums would be excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory. Each deviation permitted to be filed shall be effective until terminated with the approval of the superintendent or as may otherwise be permitted or required by law.

Section 3935.08 | Appeal to superintendent from action of rating bureau.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Any member of, or subscriber to, a rating bureau may appeal to the superintendent of insurance from the action of such rating bureau in approving or rejecting any proposed change in, or addition to, the filings of such rating bureau. The superintendent shall, after a hearing held upon not less than ten days' written notice to the appellant and to such rating bureau, issue an order approving the action of such rating organization or directing it to give further consideration to such proposal. If such appeal is from the action of the rating bureau in rejecting a proposed addition to its filings, the superintendent may, if he finds that such action was unreasonable, issue an order directing the rating organization to make an addition to its filings on behalf its members and subscribers, in a manner consistent with his findings and within a reasonable time after the issuance of such order.

Section 3935.09 | Rate information furnished - right of review.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Every rating bureau and every insurer which makes its own rates shall, within a reasonable time after receiving written request therefor and upon the payment of such reasonable charge as it may make, furnish to any insured affected by a rate made by it, or to the authorized representative of such insured, all pertinent information as to such rate. Every rating bureau and every insurer which makes its own rates shall provide within this state reasonable means by which any person aggrieved by the application of its rating system may be heard, in person or by his authorized representative, on his written request to review the manner in which such rating system has been applied in connection with the insurance afforded him. If the rating bureau or insurer fails to grant or reject such request within thirty days after it is made, the applicant may proceed in the same manner as if his application had been rejected. Any party affected by the action of such rating bureau or such insurer on such request may, within thirty days after written notice of such action, appeal to the superintendent of insurance, who, after a hearing held upon not less than ten days' written notice to the appellant and to such rating bureau or insurer, may affirm or reverse such action.

Section 3935.10 | Reporting loss and expense experience - interchange of data and co-operation with other states.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The superintendent of insurance shall promulgate rules and statistical plans, reasonably adopted to each of the rating systems on file with him, which may be modified from time to time and which shall be used thereafter by each insurer in the recording and reporting of its loss and country-wide expense experience, in order that the experience of all insurers may be made available at least annually in such form and detail as is necessary to aid the superintendent in determining whether rating systems comply with the standards set forth in section 3935.03 of the Revised Code. Such rules and plans may also provide for the recording and reporting of expense experience items which are specially applicable to this state and which are not susceptible of determination by a prorating of country-wide expense experience. In promulgating such rules and plans, the superintendent shall give due consideration to the rating systems on file with him and, in order that such rules and plans may be as uniform as is practicable among the several states, to the rules and to the form of the plans used for such rating systems in other states. No insurer need record or report its loss experience on a classification basis that is inconsistent with the rating system filed by it. The superintendent may designate one or more rating bureaus or other agencies to assist him in gathering such experience and making compilations thereof, and such compilations shall be made available, subject to reasonable rules promulgated by the superintendent, to insurers and rating bureaus.

Reasonable rules and plans may be promulgated by the superintendent for the interchange of data necessary for the application of rating plans.

In order to further uniform administration of rate regulatory laws, the superintendent and every insurer and rating bureau may exchange information and experience data with insurance supervisory officials, insurers, and rating bureaus in other states and may consult with them with respect to rate making and the application of rating systems.

The superintendent may make reasonable rules and regulations necessary to effectuate sections 3935.01 to 3935.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code.

Sections 119.01 to 119.13, inclusive, of the Revised Code are applicable to the rule-making functions of the superintendent under sections 3935.01 to 3935.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code, including appeals from the order of the superintendent in adopting, amending, or rescinding rules.

Section 3935.11 | Examination of rating bureau.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The superintendent of insurance shall, at least once in five years, make an examination of each rating bureau licensed in this state as provided in section 3935.06 of the Revised Code, and he may, as often as he considers it expedient, make an examination of each advisory organization referred to in section 3935.12 of the Revised Code and of each group, association, or other organization referred to in section 3935.13 of the Revised Code. The reasonable costs of any such examination shall be paid by the rating bureau, advisory organization, group, association, or other organization examined upon presentation to it of a detailed account of such costs. The officers, manager, agents, and employees of such rating bureau, advisory organization, group, association, or other organization may be examined at any time under oath and shall exhibit all books, records, accounts, documents, or agreements governing its method of operation. The superintendent shall furnish two copies of the examination report to the rating bureau, advisory organization, group, or association examined and shall notify such rating bureau, advisory organization, group, or association that it may, within twenty days thereafter, request a hearing on said report or on any facts or recommendations therein. Before filing any such report for public inspection, the superintendent shall grant a hearing to the rating bureau, advisory organization, group, or association examined. The report of any such examination, when filed for public inspection, is admissible in evidence in any action or proceeding brought by the superintendent against the rating bureau, advisory organization, group, or association examined, or its officers or agents, and is prima-facie evidence of the facts stated therein. The superintendent may withhold the report of any such examination from public inspection for such time as he considers proper. In lieu of any such examination the superintendent may accept the report of an examination made by the insurance supervisory official of another state, pursuant to the laws of such state.

Section 3935.12 | Advisory organizations.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

(A) Every group, association, or other organization of insurers, whether located within or outside this state, which assists insurers which make their own filings or rating bureaus in rate making, by the collection and furnishing of loss or expense statistics, or by the submission of recommendations, but which does not make filings under sections 3935.01 to 3935.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code, shall be known as an advisory organization.

(B) Every advisory organization shall file the following items with the superintendent of insurance:

(1) A copy of its constitution, its articles of agreement or association or its certificate of incorporation, and of its bylaws, rules, and regulations governing its activities;

(2) A list of its members;

(3) The name and address of a resident of this state upon whom notices or orders of the superintendent or process issued at his direction may be served;

(4) An agreement that the superintendent may examine such advisory organization in accordance with section 3935.11 of the Revised Code.

(C) If, after a hearing, the superintendent finds that the furnishing of information or assistance to insurers by such advisory organization involves any act or practice which is unfair, unreasonable, or otherwise inconsistent with sections 3935.01 to 3935.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code, he may issue a written order specifying in what respects such act or practice is unfair, unreasonable, or otherwise inconsistent with said sections, and requiring the discontinuance of such act or practice.

(D) No insurer which makes its own filings, nor any rating bureau, shall support its filings by statistics or adopt rate-making recommendations furnished to it by an advisory organization which has not complied with this section or with an order of the superintendent involving such statistics or recommendations issued under division (C) of this section. If the superintendent finds such insurer or rating bureau to be in violation of this division, he may issue an order requiring the discontinuance of such violation.

Section 3935.13 | Regulations for joint underwriting or joint reinsurance.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Every group, association, or other organization of insurers which engages in joint underwriting or joint reinsurance shall be subject to regulation with respect to such underwriting or reinsurance as provided in this section, subject, with respect to joint underwriting, to sections 3935.01 to 3935.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code, and, with respect to joint reinsurance, to sections 3935.11, 3935.14, 3935.16, and 3935.17 of the Revised Code.

If, after a hearing, the superintendent of insurance finds that any activity or practice of any such group, association, or other organization is unfair, unreasonable, or otherwise inconsistent with sections 3935.01 to 3935.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code, he may issue a written order specifying in what respects such activity or practice is unfair, unreasonable, or otherwise inconsistent with said sections and requiring the discontinuance of such activity or practice.

Section 3935.14 | Copy of order of superintendent - appeal from order - procedure.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

After the superintendent of insurance makes an order, he shall, not later than the day following the issuance thereof, serve a certified copy of such order upon the parties, together with a statement of the time and method by which an appeal may be perfected. A copy of such order shall be mailed to attorneys of record representing the parties.

Any insurer, advisory organization, or rating bureau, aggrieved by any order or decision of the superintendent made without a hearing, may, within thirty days after notice of the order to the insurer or bureau, make written request to the superintendent for a hearing thereon. The superintendent shall hear such party within twenty days after receipt of such request and shall give not less than ten days' written notice of the time and place of the hearing. Within fifteen days after such hearing the superintendent shall affirm, reverse, or modify his previous action, specifying his reasons therefor. Pending such hearing and decision thereon, the superintendent may suspend or postpone the effective date of his previous action.

The superintendent may postpone or continue any hearing upon the application of any party or upon his own motion.

Where the record of a hearing may be the basis of an appeal to court, a full and complete stenographic record of the hearing shall be made.

All orders of the superintendent issued pursuant to sections 3935.01 to 3935.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code, other than in adopting, amending, or rescinding rules, shall be governed entirely by said sections.

Any party adversely affected by an order of the superintendent issued pursuant to an adjudication may appeal to the court of common pleas of Franklin county.

Any party desiring to appeal shall file a notice of appeal with the superintendent, setting forth the order appealed from and the grounds of his appeal. A copy of such notice of appeal shall also be filed by the appellant with the court. Such notices of appeal shall be filed within fifteen days after the mailing of the notice of the superintendent's order as provided in this section.

The filing of a notice of appeal shall not automatically operate as a suspension of the order of the superintendent. If it appears to the court that an unusual hardship to the appellant will result from the execution of the superintendent's order pending determination of the appeal, the court may grant a suspension and fix its terms.

Within ten days after receipt of notice of appeal from an order in any case in which a hearing is required by sections 3935.01 to 3935.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code, the superintendent shall prepare and certify to the court a complete record of the proceedings in said case. Such record shall be prepared and transcribed, and the expense thereof shall be taxed as a part of the costs on the appeal. The appellant must provide security for costs satisfactory to the court of common pleas. Upon demand by any interested party, the superintendent shall furnish, at the cost of the party requesting same, a copy of the stenographic report of testimony offered and evidence submitted at any hearing and a copy of the complete record.

In the hearing of the appeal the court shall be confined to the record as certified to it by the superintendent, provided that the court may grant a request for the admission of additional evidence when satisfied that such additional evidence is newly discovered and could not with reasonable diligence have been ascertained prior to the hearing before the superintendent.

The court shall conduct a hearing on such appeal and shall give preference to all proceedings under sections 3935.01 to 3935.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code, over all other civil cases, irrespective of the position of any such proceedings on the calendar of the court. The hearing in the court of common pleas shall proceed as in the trial of a civil action, and the court shall determine the rights of the parties in accordance with the law applicable to such action. At such hearing counsel may be heard on oral argument, briefs may be submitted, and evidence introduced if the court has granted a request for the presentation of additional evidence.

The court may affirm, reverse, vacate, or modify the order of the superintendent complained of in the appeal, and its order shall be final and conclusive unless reversed, vacated, or modified on appeal.

The court shall certify its judgment to the superintendent or take such other action in connection therewith as may be required to give its judgment effect.

Section 3935.16 | General prohibition - suspension of license.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The superintendent of insurance may suspend the license of any rating bureau or insurer which fails to comply with an order of the superintendent within the time limited by such order, or any extension thereof which the superintendent grants. The superintendent shall not suspend the license of any rating bureau or insurer for failure to comply with an order until the time prescribed for an appeal therefrom has expired or, if an appeal has been taken, until such order has been affirmed. The superintendent may determine when a suspension of license becomes effective, and it shall remain in effect for the period fixed by him unless he modifies or rescinds such suspension, or until the order upon which such suspension is based is modified, rescinded, or reversed.

No penalty shall be imposed and no license shall be suspended or revoked except upon a written order of the superintendent, stating his findings, made after a hearing held upon not less than ten days' written notice to such person or bureau, specifying the alleged violation.

Section 3935.17 | Applicability of sections.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Section 3927.05 of the Revised Code is not repealed or affected by sections 3935.01 to 3935.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code, but compliance with sections 3935.01 to 3935.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code, shall not be deemed to be a violation of section 3927.05 of the Revised Code.

Section 3935.99 | Penalty.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

(A) Whoever violates sections 3935.01 to 3935.17, inclusive, of the Revised Code, shall be fined not less than fifty nor more than five hundred dollars.