“Filed Rate Doctrine” Precluded Lawsuit Alleging Unreasonable Premium

In a full-fledged opinion by Justice Skelos, the Second Department determined the “filed rate doctrine” precluded a lawsuit alleging an insurance premium (re: the employment of uninsured subcontractors) was unreasonable. The action was brought before the premium was paid.  For that reason, the court dismissed the unjust enrichment and breach of contract causes of action (which require damages), noting that the proper action was one seeking a declaratory judgment. In determining the General Business Law section 349 action was properly dismissed, the Second Department explained, in great detail which cannot be fairly summarized here, the “filed rate doctrine:”

The filed rate doctrine bars actions against federal- and state-regulated entities which are “grounded on the allegation that the rates charged by [those entities] are unreasonable” … . “Simply stated, the doctrine holds that any filed rate’—that is, one approved by the governing regulatory agency [here, the Insurance Department]—is per se reasonable and unassailable in judicial proceedings brought by ratepayers” … . Thus, “a consumer’s claim, however disguised, seeking relief for an injury allegedly caused by the payment of a rate on file with a regulatory commission, is viewed as an attack upon the rate approved by the regulatory commission” and, therefore, barred by the doctrine … .  W Park Assoc Inc v Everest Natl Ins Co, 2013 NY Slip Op 07724, 2nd Dept 11-20-13