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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>79475</law_id><section_number>38.2-3725</section_number><catch_line>Policy forms to be filed with Commission; approval or disapproval by Commission</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>38.2-3727</reference><reference>38.2-3728</reference><reference>38.2-3730</reference><reference>38.2-3736</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="38.2">Insurance</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="37.1">Credit Life Insurance and Credit Accident and Sickness Insurance</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> No <span class="dictionary">form</span> shall be delivered or issued for delivery in this Commonwealth until a copy of each <span class="dictionary">form</span> has been filed with and approved by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>. <a id="paragraph-284695" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-3725/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> If a group policy of credit life or credit accident and sickness <span class="dictionary">insurance</span> is delivered in another <span class="dictionary">state</span>, the <span class="dictionary">insurer</span> shall be required to file the group certificate, application or enrollment request, and notice of proposed <span class="dictionary">insurance</span> delivered or issued for delivery in this <span class="dictionary">state</span> for approval. These <span class="dictionary">forms</span> shall comply with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Policy provisions; disclosure to debtors; delivery of policy or certificate" href="/38.2-3724/">38.2-3724</a>, with the exception of subsection D and &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Application" href="/38.2-3737/">38.2-3737</a>. The premium <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">rates</span></span> shall comply with those established in this chapter or it must be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> that the <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">rates</span></span> are actuarially equivalent to those required by &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Credit life insurance rates" href="/38.2-3726/">38.2-3726</a> and <a class="law" title="Credit accident and sickness insurance rates" href="/38.2-3727/">38.2-3727</a> if the coverage differs from that required in Virginia. In no case shall the premiums exceed those set by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> in &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Credit life insurance rates" href="/38.2-3726/">38.2-3726</a> and <a class="law" title="Credit accident and sickness insurance rates" href="/38.2-3727/">38.2-3727</a>, as amended by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Experience reports and adjustment of prima facie rates" href="/38.2-3730/">38.2-3730</a>. <a id="paragraph-284696" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-3725/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall disapprove or withdraw approval previously given to any <span class="dictionary">form</span> if the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> determines that: <a id="paragraph-284697" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-3725/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> It does not comply with the <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of this Commonwealth; <a id="paragraph-284698" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-3725/#C1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> It contains any provision or has any title, heading, backing or other indication of the contents of any or all of its provisions which encourage misrepresentation or are unjust, unfair, misleading, deceptive or contrary to the public policy of this Commonwealth; or <a id="paragraph-284699" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-3725/#C2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> The premium <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">rates</span></span> or charges are not reasonable in relation to the benefits provided. <a id="paragraph-284700" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-3725/#C3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The benefits provided by any credit life <span class="dictionary">insurance</span> <span class="dictionary">form</span> shall be considered reasonable in relation to the premium charged provided that the <span class="dictionary">rate</span> does not exceed the current prima facie <span class="dictionary">rate</span> set by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>. The prima facie <span class="dictionary">rate</span> that shall be effective January 1, 1993, shall be that set forth in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Credit life insurance rates" href="/38.2-3726/">38.2-3726</a>. Thereafter, effective January 1, 1995, the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall, on a triennial basis, set forth adjusted prima facie <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">rates</span></span> that will achieve a sixty percent loss ratio. The methodology used by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> in setting the prima facie <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">rates</span></span> shall be as set forth in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Experience reports and adjustment of prima facie rates" href="/38.2-3730/">38.2-3730</a>. The prima facie <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">rates</span></span> shall be provided to <span class="dictionary">insurers</span> no later than September 1 prior to each triennium and shall be effective as to all <span class="dictionary">forms</span> issued on or after January 1 of the following triennium. <a id="paragraph-284701" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-3725/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> The benefits provided by any credit accident and sickness <span class="dictionary">insurance</span> <span class="dictionary">form</span> shall be considered reasonable in relation to the premium charged provided that the <span class="dictionary">rate</span> does not exceed the current prima facie <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">rates</span></span> set by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>. The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall set forth adjusted prima facie <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">rates</span></span> that will achieve a fifty percent loss ratio as of January 1, 1993, and adjusted prima facie <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">rates</span></span> that will achieve a sixty percent loss ratio as of January 1, 1995. Thereafter, the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall, on a triennial basis, set forth adjusted prima facie <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">rates</span></span> that will achieve a sixty percent loss ratio. The methodology used by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> in setting the prima facie <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">rates</span></span> shall be as set forth in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Experience reports and adjustment of prima facie rates" href="/38.2-3730/">38.2-3730</a>. The prima facie <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">rates</span></span> shall be provided to <span class="dictionary">insurers</span> no later than September 1, 1992, for the <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">rates</span></span> to be effective January 1, 1993; September 1, 1994, for the <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">rates</span></span> to be effective January 1, 1995; and September 1 prior to each triennium thereafter, and shall be effective as to all <span class="dictionary">forms</span> issued on or after such January 1. <a id="paragraph-284702" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-3725/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> If necessary to assure availability of credit <span class="dictionary">insurance</span>, the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> may consider other factors in <span class="dictionary">order</span> to provide a fair return to <span class="dictionary">insurers</span>. These other factors may include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) actual and expected loss experience; (ii) general and administrative expenses; (iii) loss <span class="dictionary">settlement</span> and adjustment expenses; (iv) reasonable <span class="dictionary">creditor</span> compensation; (v) investment income; (vi) the manner in which premiums are charged; (vii) other acquisition costs, reserves, taxes, regulatory license fees and fund assessments; and (viii) other relevant data consistent with generally accepted actuarial standards. <a id="paragraph-284703" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-3725/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="G"><p><span class="prefix-number">G.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall, within thirty days after the filing of any <span class="dictionary">form</span> requiring approval, notify the <span class="dictionary">insurer</span> filing the <span class="dictionary">form</span> of the <span class="dictionary">form</span>&#x2019;s approval or disapproval. If a <span class="dictionary">form</span> is disapproved, the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall also notify the <span class="dictionary">insurer</span> of its reasons for disapproval. The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> may extend the period within which it shall indicate its approval or disapproval of a <span class="dictionary">form</span> by thirty days. Any <span class="dictionary">form</span> received but not approved or disapproved by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall be deemed approved at the expiration of the thirty days, or sixty days if the period is extended. No <span class="dictionary">insurer</span> shall use a <span class="dictionary">form</span> deemed approved under the provisions of this section until the <span class="dictionary">insurer</span> has filed with the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> a written notice of its <span class="dictionary">intent</span> to use the <span class="dictionary">form</span> together with a copy of the <span class="dictionary">form</span> and the original transmittal letter thereof. The notice shall be filed in the offices of the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> at least ten days prior to the <span class="dictionary">insurer</span>&#x2019;s use of the <span class="dictionary">form</span>. <a id="paragraph-284704" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-3725/#G"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="H"><p><span class="prefix-number">H.</span> If the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> proposes to withdraw approval previously given to any <span class="dictionary">form</span>, it shall notify the <span class="dictionary">insurer</span> in writing not less than thirty days prior to the proposed effective date of withdrawal and give its reasons for withdrawal. No <span class="dictionary">insurer</span> shall <span class="dictionary">issue</span> such <span class="dictionary">forms</span> or use them after the effective date of withdrawal, except as provided in subsection I of this section. <a id="paragraph-284705" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-3725/#H"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="I"><p><span class="prefix-number">I.</span> Any <span class="dictionary">insurer</span> aggrieved by the disapproval or withdrawal of approval of any <span class="dictionary">form</span> may proceed as indicated in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Action of Commission upon request for hearing on order or decision made without a hearing" href="/38.2-1926/">38.2-1926</a>. <a id="paragraph-284706" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-3725/#I"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1982, c. 223, &#xA7; 38.1-482.7:1; 1986, c. 562, &#xA7; 38.2-3710; 1992, c. 586; 1999, c. 586.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
