1104                           LAWS OF MARYLAND               CH. 553.

insurers or groups of insurers to reflect the requirements of the
operating methods of any such insurer, or group with respect to any
kind of insurance, or with respect to any subdivision or combination
thereof for which subdivision or combination separate expense pro-
visions are applicable;

(iii) Risks may be grouped by classifications for the establishment
of rates and minimum premiums. Classification rates may be modified
to produce rates for individual risks in accordance with rating plans
which establish standards for measuring variations in hazards or
expense provisions or both. Such standards may measure any dif-
ference among risks that can be demonstrated to have a probable
effect upon losses or expenses;

(iv) Rates shall not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly dis-
criminatory.

(2) Except to the extent necessary to meet the provisions of sub-
division (iv) of paragraph (1) of this subsection, uniformity among
insurers in any matters within the scope of this subsection is neither
required nor prohibited.

(c) Rate filings.

(1)   Every insurer shall file with the Commissioner every manual
of classifications, rules and rates, every rating plan and every
modification of any of the foregoing which it proposes to use. Every
such filing shall state the proposed effective date thereof, and shall
indicate the character and extent of the coverage contemplated. When
a filing is not accompanied by the information upon which the insurer
supports such filing, and the Commissioner does not have sufficient
information to determine whether such filing meets the requirements
of the section, he shall require such insurer to furnish the information
upon which it supports such filing and in such event the waiting
period shall commence as of the date such information is furnished.
The information furnished in support of a filing may include (i) the
experience or judgment of the insurer or rating organization making
the filing, (ii) its interpretation of any statistical data it relies upon,
(iii) the experience of other insurers or rating organizations, or (iv)
any other relevant factors. A filing and any supporting information
shall be open to public inspection after the filing becomes effective.

(2)   An insurer may satisfy its obligation to make such filings by
becoming a member of, or a subscriber to, a licensed rating organi-
zation which makes such filings, and by authorizing the Commissioner
to accept such filings on its behalf; provided, that nothing contained
in this section shall be construed as requiring any insurer to become
a member of or a subscriber to any rating organization.

(3)   The Commissioner shall review filings as soon as reasonably
possible after they have been made in order to determine whether
they meet the requirements of this section.

(4)   Subject to the exception specified in paragraph (5) of this
subsection, each filing shall be on file for a waiting period of fifteen
days before it becomes effective, which period may be extended by
the Commissioner for an additional period not to exceed fifteen days
if he gives written notice within such waiting period to the insurer
or rating organization which made the filing that he needs such addi-
tional time for the consideration of such filing. Upon written appli-
cation by such insurer or rating organization the Commissioner may