§33-17-8. Filing of forms.

(a) No fire or marine policy, rider or endorsement to be attached to any policy covering any risk located or to be performed in West Virginia shall be delivered or issued for delivery in this state unless that form is: (1) Filed with and approved by the Commissioner; (2) conforms to applicable legislative rules of the Commissioner; (3) is identical as to language to a policy, rider or endorsement approved by the Commissioner; or (4) qualifies under subsection (c) of this section. If the use of any form under the provisions of subdivision (2) of this section by any insurer or by the members and subscribers of any rating organization is so extensive that in the opinion of the Commissioner the public interest requires, the Commissioner may require that the form be filed with him or her by the insurer or by the rating organization on behalf of its members and subscribers.

(b) The procedure for filing and approval or disapproval of forms under this section is provided in section eight, article six of this chapter. Grounds for disapproval are those set forth in section nine of said article. Filings may be made on behalf of any insurer by a rating organization licensed under the provisions of article twenty of this chapter. This section does not apply to ocean marine policies, riders or endorsements, or to forms on specially rated inland marine risks.

(c) For commercial lines risks, a fire or marine policy, rider or endorsement is subject to the provisions of section six, article eight of this chapter governing other commercial lines form filings as defined in section eight, article six of this chapter.