Section 11735 Of Article 2. State Rate Supervision From California Insurance Code >> Division 2. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 2.
11735
. (a) Every insurer shall file with the commissioner all rates
and supplementary rate information that are to be used in this
state. The rates and supplementary rate information shall be filed
not later than 30 days prior to the effective date. Upon application
by the filer, the commissioner may authorize an earlier effective
date. To the extent possible, rates and supplementary rate
information shall be based upon supporting information derived from
the experience or data of the insurer, rating organization, advisory
organization, or other insurers. For the purposes of this
subdivision, "rating organization" shall have the same meaning as set
forth in subdivision (b) of Section 11750.1, and "advisory
organization" shall have the same meaning as set forth in subdivision
(e) of that section.
(b) Rates filed pursuant to this section shall be filed in the
form and manner prescribed by the commissioner. All rates,
supplementary rate information, and any supporting information for
rates filed under this article, as soon as filed, shall be open to
public inspection at any reasonable time. Copies may be obtained by
any person upon request and the payment of a reasonable charge.
(c) Upon the written application of the insurer and insured,
stating its reasons therefor, filed with the commissioner, a rate in
excess of that provided by a filing otherwise applicable may be used
on any specific risk.
(d) Notwithstanding Section 679.70, no rating organization may
issue, nor may any insurer use, any classification system or rate, as
applied or used, that violates Section 679.71 or 679.72 or that
violates the Unruh Civil Rights Act.
(e) Notwithstanding Sections 11657 to 11660, inclusive,
supplementary rate information filed with the commissioner for
purposes of offering deductibles to policyholders for all or part of
benefits payable under the policy shall be deemed complete if the
filing contains all of the following:
(1) A copy of the deductible endorsement that is to be attached to
the policy to effectuate deductible coverage.
(2) Endorsement language that protects the rights of injured
workers and ensures that benefits are paid by the insurer without
regard to any deductible. The endorsement shall specify that the
nonpayment of deductible amounts by the policyholder shall not
relieve the insurer from the payment of compensation for injuries
sustained by the employee during the period of time the endorsed
policy was in effect. The endorsement shall provide that deductible
policies for workers' compensation insurance coverage shall not be
terminated retroactively for the nonpayment of deductible amounts.
(3) The endorsement shall provide that notwithstanding the
deductible, the insurer shall pay all of the obligations of the
employer for workers' compensation benefits for injuries occurring
during the policy period. Payment by the insurer of any amounts
within the deductible shall be treated as an advancement of funds by
the insurer to the employer and shall create a legal obligation for
reimbursements, and may be secured by appropriate security.
(4) The endorsement shall specify whether loss adjustment expenses
are to be treated as advancements within the deductible to be
reimbursed by the employer.
(5) An explanation of premium reductions reflecting the type and
level of the deductible shall be clearly set forth for the
policyholder.
(6) The filing shall provide that premium reductions for
deductibles are determined before application of any experience
modification, premium surcharge, or premium discount, and the premium
reductions reflect the type and level of deductible consistent with
accepted actuarial standards.
(7) The filing shall provide that the nonpayment of deductible
amounts by the insured employer to its insurer, or the failure to
comply with any security-related terms of the policy, shall be
treated under the policy in the same manner as the payment or
nonpayment of the premium pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision
(b) of Section 676.8.
(f) The insurer shall report and record losses subject to the
deductible as losses for purposes of ratemaking and application of an
experience rating plan on the same basis as losses under policies
providing first dollar coverage.