§2302. Eligibility; application

A. Any person having an insurable interest in insurable property and who has been denied coverage by one or more insurers authorized to write property insurance in this state is entitled to apply to the corporation, directly or through a representative, for such coverage through the Coastal Plan or the FAIR Plan, and for an inspection of the property. Every such application shall be submitted on forms prescribed by the governing board of the corporation and on file with the commissioner of insurance which clearly states that the corporation is an insurer of last resort. Every application form shall require that the applicant disclose each insurance carrier or carriers who denied property insurance coverage to the applicant.

B. The term "insurable interest" as used in this Section shall be deemed to include any lawful and substantial economic interest in the safety and preservation of property from loss, destruction, or pecuniary damage.

C. If the corporation determines that the property is insurable, the corporation, upon receipt of the premium or such portion thereof as is prescribed for either the Coastal Plan or the FAIR Plan, shall cause to be issued the appropriate policy of essential property insurance for a term not exceeding one year. Any policy issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be renewed annually, upon payment of premium due, so long as the property meets the definition of "insurable property".

D. Except for the failure of an applicant to show a previous denial of coverage by another property insurance carrier as provided in Subsection A of this Section, if the corporation for any other reason denies an application and refuses to cause to be issued an insurance policy on insurable property to any applicant, or takes no action on an application within the time prescribed in the plan of operation, such applicant may appeal to the commissioner of insurance and, after reviewing the facts, he may direct the corporation to issue, or cause to be issued, an appropriate insurance policy to the applicant. In carrying out its duties pursuant to this Section, the commissioner of insurance may request and the corporation shall provide any information which the commissioner deems necessary to a determination concerning the reason for the denial or delay of the application.

E. The corporation shall include a disclosure statement with each application and policy which notifies the policyholder that he may obtain a list of insurance producers and insurance companies that may be able to write their insurance coverage in the private insurance market. This disclosure shall be on a separate page from the policy and shall be distinctly labeled in fourteen point or larger type size. The disclosure shall include a description of the specific method of accessing the Department of Insurance website including the website address. The disclosure shall also include a list, from the website of the Department of Insurance, of the insurance companies referenced in this Section.

F. The corporation shall be required to write business with properly licensed general agencies operated by insurance companies who write business through exclusive insurance producers.

Acts 2003, No. 1133, §1; Acts 2007, No. 459, §§1 and 4, eff. Jan. 1, 2008; Acts 2008, No. 388, §1, eff. June 21, 2008; Redesignated from R.S. 22:1430.11 by Acts 2008, No. 415, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2010, No. 1023, §1; Acts 2012, No. 271, §1.