Terms Used In South Carolina Code 38-13-340

  • Department: means the Department of Insurance of South Carolina. See South Carolina Code 38-1-20
  • Director: means the person who is appointed by the Governor upon the advice and consent of the Senate and who is responsible for the operation and management of the department. See South Carolina Code 38-1-20
  • insurance: includes annuities. See South Carolina Code 38-1-20
  • Insurer: includes a corporation, fraternal organization, burial association, other association, partnership, society, order, individual, or aggregation of individuals engaging or proposing or attempting to engage as principals in any kind of insurance or surety business, including the exchanging of reciprocal or interinsurance contracts between individuals, partnerships, and corporations. See South Carolina Code 38-1-20
  • Premium: means payment given in consideration of a contract of insurance. See South Carolina Code 38-1-20
The department shall annually compile and review reports submitted by insurers pursuant to this article by order of the director to determine the appropriateness of premium rates for property and casualty insurance in this State. Any findings and filings of the department must be published, provided to the General Assembly, and made available to any interested insured or citizen, subject to the cost of copying. If the director or his designee finds at any time that any rate is excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, he shall issue an order withdrawing its approval. The order shall specify reasons for withdrawal of approval and must be furnished to each affected insurer and rating organization. Any such order is effective not less than sixty days from its issuance unless an affected insurer meets the burden of showing that the rate is fair and appropriate.