24-A §2320. Information furnished insureds; hearings and appeals of insureds - Maine Statutes

Title 24-A: MAINE INSURANCE CODE

Chapter 25: RATES AND RATING ORGANIZATIONS

Subchapter 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS

§2320. Information furnished insureds; hearings and appeals of insureds

1. Every rating organization, advisory organization and insurer shall, within a reasonable time after receiving written request therefor and upon payment of such reasonable charge as it may make, furnish to any insured affected by a rate, a prospective loss cost or supplementary rating information made by it, or to the authorized representative of such insured, all pertinent information as to such rate.

[ 1989, c. 797, §§37, 38 (AFF); 1989, c. 797, §21 (AMD) .]

2. Every rating organization, advisory organization and insurer shall provide within this State reasonable means whereby any person aggrieved by the application of its rating system may be heard, in person or through an authorized representative, on written request to review the manner in which such rating system has been applied in connection with the insurance afforded that person. If the rating organization, advisory organization or insurer fails to grant or reject such request within 30 days after it is made, the applicant may proceed in the same manner as if that application had been rejected. Any party affected by the action of such rating organization, advisory organization or such insurer on such request may, within 30 days after written notice of such action, appeal to the superintendent, who, after a hearing held upon not less than 10 days' written notice to the appellant and to such rating organization, advisory organization or insurer, may affirm or reverse such action.

[ 1989, c. 797, §§37, 38 (AFF); 1989, c. 797, §21 (AMD) .]

3. Upon a request by a person aggrieved by the application of the rating system or an insurer, or either of their authorized representatives, the person aggrieved has the right to a hearing held by the superintendent without the matter first being heard by the rating organization or insurer pursuant to subsection 2. Such hearing must be held within 60 days following receipt by the superintendent of a written request for a hearing. At least 30 days' written notice of the date, time and place of the hearing, together with a reasonably accurate description of the subject matter of the hearing, must be provided by the superintendent to the person aggrieved, the insurer and the rating organization. Upon request by any party, the hearing may be continued to allow a reasonable period for conducting investigation of the matter, discovery and preparation of factual and legal materials for the hearing. Each party to a hearing is entitled to only one continuance. Prior to continuation of a hearing, the superintendent shall, upon not less than 5 days' notice to all parties, conduct an informal prehearing conference at which the parties shall identify the issues to be addressed at the hearing, establish a schedule for all investigation, discovery and hearing preparation reasonably necessary based upon the nature and scope of the hearing and establish a date certain for the hearing.

[ 1995, c. 317, §1 (NEW) .]

SECTION HISTORY

1969, c. 132, §1 (NEW). 1973, c. 585, §12 (AMD). 1989, c. 797, §§21,37,38 (AMD). 1995, c. 317, §1 (AMD).