<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<chapter num="16" heading="Filing of Underwriting Standards" title_num="31" subtitle_num="04">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Applicability.">
    <text>This chapter applies to every insurer authorized to issue insurance policies which provide health, life, disability, property, or casualty coverage in this State and to insurers applying to engage in these kinds of insurance businesses in this State.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Definition.">
    <text>“Underwriting standards” means underwriting manuals, including any amendments or supplements to underwriting manuals, and those generally accepted practices of the insurer contained in written underwriting instructions, guidelines, and rules furnished by the insurer for use by its underwriters and insurance producers as standards for acceptance of risks.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Filing Underwriting Standards.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>The Commissioner may require an insurer to file its underwriting standards, or any portion of its underwriting standards pertaining to specific subjects.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>The insurer shall provide the Commissioner with the information requested within 30 days after receipt of the Commissioner's request.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Confidentiality.">
    <text>When responding to the Commissioner, an insurer may request a finding that all or certain portions of its underwriting standards shall be considered confidential commercial information under State Government Article, §10-617(d), Annotated Code of Maryland. An insurer making this request shall state the reasons for considering the material confidential commercial information. The information furnished shall be regarded as confidential until the Commissioner rules otherwise.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Record Retention.">
    <text>An insurer shall retain for a period of at least 3 years all records pertaining to the establishment, implementation, and enforcement of its underwriting standards.</text>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Insurance Article, §§2-109 and 27-501, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: October 16, 1962</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Amended effective May 1, 1968</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Chapter, Insured Paying Less Than Premium Due Under the Contract, repealed effective March 6, 1989 (16:4 Md. R. 496)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulations .01—.05, Filing of Underwriting Standards, adopted effective</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">February 18, 1991 (18:3 Md. R. 304)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Chapter recodified from COMAR 09.30.30 to COMAR 31.04.16 effective September 7, 1998 (25:18 Md. R. 1439)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02 amended effective January 15, 2007 (34:1 Md. R. 33)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>