33-2-1216. Credit allowed domestic ceding insurer. (1) Credit for reinsurance is allowed to a domestic ceding insurer as either an asset or a reduction from liability on account of reinsurance ceded only when the reinsurer meets the requirements of subsection (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6). Credit must be allowed under subsection (2), (3), or (4) only in respect to cessions of those kinds or classes of business that the assuming insurer is licensed or otherwise permitted to write or assume in its state of domicile or, in the case of a U.S. branch of an alien assuming insurer, in the state through which the branch of the alien assuming insurer entered and is licensed to transact insurance or reinsurance. If the requirements of subsection (4) or (5) are met, the requirements of subsection (7) must also be met.

(2) Credit must be allowed when the reinsurance is ceded to an assuming insurer that is licensed to transact insurance or reinsurance in this state.

(3) Credit must be allowed when the reinsurance is ceded to an assuming insurer that is accredited by the commissioner as a reinsurer in this state. Credit may not be allowed a domestic ceding insurer if the assuming insurer's accreditation has been revoked by the commissioner after notice and hearing. An accredited reinsurer is one that:

(a) files with the commissioner evidence of its submission to this state's jurisdiction;

(b) submits to this state's authority to examine its books and records;

(c) is licensed to transact insurance or reinsurance in at least one state or, in the case of a United States branch of an alien assuming insurer, is entered through and licensed to transact insurance or reinsurance in at least one state;

(d) files annually with the commissioner a copy of its annual statement filed with the insurance department of its state of domicile and a copy of its most recent audited financial statement; and

(e) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the commissioner that the accredited reinsurer has adequate financial capacity to meet its reinsurance obligations and is otherwise qualified to assume reinsurance from domestic insurers. An assuming insurer meets this requirement as of the time of its application if:

(i) the assuming accredited reinsurer maintains a surplus as regards policyholders in an amount not less than $20 million; and

(ii) the commissioner approves its accreditation within 90 days after the date that the accredited reinsurer submits its application.

(4) (a) Subject to subsection (4)(b), credit must be allowed when:

(i) the reinsurance is ceded to an assuming insurer that is domiciled and licensed in or, in the case of a United States branch of an alien assuming insurer, is entered through a state that employs standards regarding credit for reinsurance substantially similar to those applicable under this statute; and

(ii) the assuming insurer or the United States branch of an alien assuming insurer:

(A) maintains a surplus with regard to policyholders in an amount not less than $20 million; and

(B) submits to the authority of this state to examine its books and records.

(b) The requirement of subsection (4)(a)(i) does not apply to reinsurance ceded and assumed pursuant to pooling arrangements among insurers in the same holding company system.

(5) (a) Credit must be allowed when the reinsurance is ceded to an assuming insurer that maintains a trust fund in a qualified United States financial institution for the payment of the valid claims of its United States policyholders and ceding insurers and their assigns and successors in interest. The assuming insurer shall report annually to the commissioner information substantially the same as that required to be reported on the NAIC annual statement form by licensed insurers to enable the commissioner to determine the sufficiency of the trust fund. The assuming insurer shall submit to examination of its books and records by the commissioner and shall bear the expense of examination.

(b) (i) In the case of a single assuming insurer, the trust must consist of a trusteed account representing the assuming insurer's liabilities attributable to business written in the United States, and in addition, the assuming insurer shall maintain a surplus with the trustee of not less than $20 million, except as provided in subsection (5)(b)(ii).

(ii) At any time after the assuming insurer has permanently discontinued underwriting new business secured by the trust for at least 3 full years, the insurance regulator with principal regulatory oversight of the trust may authorize a reduction in the required trusteed surplus after a finding that the new required surplus level is adequate for the protection of United States ceding insurers, policyholders, and claimants in light of reasonably foreseeable adverse loss development. The risk assessment may involve an actuarial review, including an independent analysis of reserves and cash flows. The risk assessment must consider all material risk factors, including, when applicable, the lines of business involved, the stability of the incurred loss estimates, and the effect of the surplus requirements on the assuming insurer's liquidity or solvency. The minimum required trusteed surplus may not be reduced to an amount less than 30% of the assuming insurer's liabilities attributable to reinsurance ceded by United States ceding insurers covered by the trust.

(iii) In the case of a group, including incorporated and individual unincorporated underwriters, the trust must consist of a trusteed account representing the respective underwriters' liabilities attributable to business written in the United States to any underwriter of the group. Additionally, the group shall maintain a surplus with the trustee of which $100 million must be held jointly for the benefit of United States ceding insurers of any member of the group. The incorporated members of the group, as group members, may not be engaged in a business other than underwriting as members of the group and are subject to the same level of solvency regulation and control by the insurance regulator as the unincorporated members. The group shall make available to the commissioner an annual certification of the solvency of each underwriter by the insurance regulator and the independent public accountants in the jurisdiction where the underwriter is domiciled.

(iv) In the case of a group of incorporated insurers under common administration:

(A) the provisions of subsection (5)(b)(iv)(B) apply to the group that:

(I) complies with the reporting requirements contained in subsection (5)(a);

(II) has continuously transacted an insurance business outside the United States for at least 3 years immediately prior to making application for accreditation;

(III) submits to this state's authority to examine its books and records and bears the expense of the examination; and

(IV) has aggregate policyholders' surplus of $10 billion;

(B) (I) the trust must be in an amount equal to the group's several liabilities attributable to business ceded by United States ceding insurers to any member of the group pursuant to reinsurance contracts issued in the name of the group;

(II) the group shall maintain a joint surplus with a trustee of which $100 million is held jointly for the benefit of United States ceding insurers of any member of the group as additional security for any liabilities; and

(III) each member of the group shall make available to the commissioner an annual certification of the member's solvency by the insurance regulator and the independent public accountants in the jurisdiction where the underwriter is domiciled.

(c) The trust must be established in a form approved by the commissioner. The trust instrument must provide that contested claims are valid and enforceable upon the final order of any court of competent jurisdiction in the United States. The trust must vest legal title to its assets in the trustees of the trust for its United States policyholders and ceding insurers and their assigns and successors in interest. The trust and the assuming insurer are subject to examination as determined by the commissioner. The trust described in this subsection (5)(c) must remain in effect for as long as the assuming insurer has outstanding obligations due under the reinsurance agreements subject to the trust.

(d) No later than February 28 of each year, the trustees of the trust shall report to the commissioner in writing setting forth the balance of the trust and listing the trust's investments at the end of the preceding year. The trustees shall certify the date of termination of the trust, if planned, or certify that the trust may not expire prior to the following December 31.

(e) (i) The commissioner shall allow credit when the reinsurance is ceded to an assuming insurer that the commissioner has certified as a reinsurer in this state and secures its obligation in accordance with the requirements of this subsection (5)(e).

(ii) To be eligible for certification under this subsection (5)(e), an assuming insurer must be domiciled and licensed to transact insurance or reinsurance in a qualified jurisdiction as determined by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (5)(e)(iv) and shall:

(A) maintain minimum capital and surplus or its equivalent as promulgated by the commissioner by rule;

(B) maintain financial strength ratings from two or more rating agencies, as determined by the commissioner;

(C) agree to the jurisdiction of this state;

(D) appoint a registered agent for service of process in this state as required by 33-1-605;

(E) agree to provide security for 100% of the assuming insurer's liabilities attributable to reinsurance ceded by United States ceding insurers if the assuming insurer resists enforcement of a final judgment from within the United States;

(F) agree to meet applicable information filing requirements as determined by the commissioner; and

(G) satisfy any other requirements for certification considered relevant by the commissioner.

(iii) An association, including incorporated and individual unincorporated underwriters, may be a certified reinsurer. The incorporated members of the association may not engage in any business other than underwriting as a member of the association. The incorporated members are subject to the same level of regulation and solvency control by the association's domiciliary regulator as are the unincorporated members. In order to be eligible for certification under this subsection (5)(e)(iii), the association shall satisfy the requirements of this subsection (5)(e) and shall:

(A) satisfy its minimum capital and surplus requirements through the capital and surplus equivalents as a net of liabilities of the association and its members. This provision must include use of a joint central fund that may be applied to any unsatisfied obligation of the association or any of its members in an amount that provides adequate protection as determined by the commissioner.

(B) provide to the commissioner, within 90 days of the date its financial statements are due to be filed with the association's domiciliary regulator, an annual certification by the association's domiciliary regulator of the solvency of each underwriter member. If a certification is unavailable, the association may provide a financial statement prepared by independent public accountants of each underwriter member.

(iv) The commissioner shall create, maintain, and publish a list of qualified jurisdictions under which an assuming insurer licensed and domiciled in a qualified jurisdiction is eligible to be considered for certification as a certified reinsurer. The commissioner shall certify all United States jurisdictions as long as those jurisdictions are accredited under the NAIC financial standards and accreditation program. For jurisdictions not in the United States, the commissioner may defer to a list of qualified jurisdictions published by the NAIC or, if the commissioner does not defer to the NAIC list, shall develop a list of qualified jurisdictions by considering:

(A) the reinsurance supervisory system of the jurisdiction;

(B) the rights, benefits, and extent of reciprocal recognition afforded by the jurisdiction to reinsurers licensed and domiciled within the United States;

(C) whether an NAIC-accredited jurisdiction has certified the reinsurer; and

(D) any additional factors the commissioner considers relevant.

(v) If the commissioner approves a jurisdiction as qualified that does not appear on the list of qualified jurisdictions published by the NAIC, the commissioner shall provide thoroughly documented justification in accordance with the criteria listed under subsection (5)(e)(iv).

(vi) Qualified jurisdictions under subsection (5)(e)(iv) shall agree to share information and cooperate with the commissioner with respect to all certified reinsurers domiciled within that jurisdiction.

(vii) The commissioner may not approve a jurisdiction not in the United States if the commissioner determines that the jurisdiction does not adequately and promptly enforce final United States judgments and arbitration awards.

(viii) If a certified reinsurer's domiciliary jurisdiction ceases to be a qualified jurisdiction, the commissioner may either suspend the reinsurer's certification indefinitely or revoke the certification entirely.

(ix) The commissioner shall assign a rating to each certified reinsurer. In assigning a rating, the commissioner shall consider the financial strength ratings assigned by agencies approved by the commissioner. The commissioner shall publish a list of all certified reinsurers and their ratings. The commissioner may defer to a rating assigned by a jurisdiction accredited by the NAIC.

(x) A certified reinsurer shall secure obligations assumed from United States ceding insurers under this subsection (5)(e)(x) at a level consistent with the certified reinsurer's rating. A domestic ceding insurer qualifies for full financial statement credit for reinsurance ceded to a certified reinsurer if the certified reinsurer:

(A) maintains security in a form acceptable to the commissioner and in accord with the provisions of this section; or

(B) forms a multibeneficiary trust in accord with subsections (5)(a) through (5)(d), except that minimum trusteed surplus requirements as provided in subsection (5)(b) do not apply with respect to a multibeneficiary trust account maintained by a certified reinsurer for the purpose of securing obligations incurred under this subsection (5)(e)(x). A multibeneficiary trust under this subsection (5)(e)(x)(B) must be maintained with a minimum trusteed surplus of $10 million.

(xi) A certified reinsurer operating under subsection (5)(e)(x)(B) shall maintain separate trust accounts for its obligations incurred under reinsurance agreements issued or renewed as a certified reinsurer with reduced security as permitted by this subsection (5)(e) or comparable laws of other United States jurisdictions.

(xii) If obligations incurred by a certified reinsurer under this subsection (5)(e) lack sufficient security, the commissioner shall reduce the allowable credit by an amount proportionate to the deficiency. The commissioner may impose further reductions in allowable credit upon finding that there is a material risk that the certified reinsurer's obligations will not be paid in full when due.

(xiii) For the purposes of this subsection (5)(e), a certified reinsurer whose certification has been terminated for any reason must be treated as a certified reinsurer required to secure 100% of its obligations. If the commissioner assigns a higher rating to a certified reinsurer on inactive status pursuant to this subsection (5)(e)(xiii), this subsection (5)(e)(xiii) does not apply. As used in this subsection (5)(e)(xiii), "terminated" refers to a reinsurer whose certificate of authority has been revoked, suspended, voluntarily surrendered, or put on inactive status.

(xiv) A certified reinsurer that ceases to assume new business in this state may request to maintain its certification in inactive status in order to continue to qualify for a reduction in security for its in-force business. An inactive certified reinsurer shall continue to comply with all applicable requirements of this subsection (5)(e), and the commissioner shall assign a rating that takes into account, if relevant, the reasons the reinsurer is not assuming new business.

(6) Credit must be allowed when the reinsurance is ceded to an assuming insurer that does not meet the requirements of subsection (2), (3), (4), or (5), but only with respect to the insurance of risks located in a jurisdiction in which the reinsurance is required by applicable law or regulation of that jurisdiction.

(7) (a) If the assuming insurer is not licensed, accredited, or certified to transact insurance or reinsurance in this state, the credit permitted by subsections (4) and (5) may not be allowed unless the assuming insurer agrees in the reinsurance agreements to the following provisions:

(i) upon the failure of the assuming insurer to perform its obligations under the terms of the reinsurance agreement, the assuming insurer, at the request of the ceding insurer, shall:

(A) submit to the jurisdiction of any court of competent jurisdiction in any state of the United States;

(B) comply with all requirements necessary to give the court jurisdiction; and

(C) abide by the final decision of the court or of any appellate court in the event of an appeal; and

(ii) the assuming insurer shall designate the commissioner or a designated attorney as its attorney upon whom may be served any lawful process in any action, suit, or proceeding instituted by or on behalf of the ceding insurer.

(b) Subsection (7)(a)(i) is not intended to conflict with or override the obligation of the parties to a reinsurance agreement to arbitrate their disputes if an obligation is created in the agreement.

(8) (a) If the assuming insurer does not meet the requirements of subsection (1), (2), or (3), the credit permitted by subsection (4) or (5) may not be allowed unless the assuming insurer agrees in the trust agreements to the conditions under subsections (8)(b) through (8)(d).

(b) Regardless of any other provisions in the trust instrument, the trustee shall comply with an order of the commissioner or with an order of a court of competent jurisdiction directing the trustee to transfer to the commissioner all assets of the trust fund if:

(i) the trust fund is inadequate because the trust fund contains an amount less than the required amount; or

(ii) the grantor of the trust has been declared insolvent or placed into receivership, rehabilitation, liquidation, or similar proceedings.

(c) The assets transferred under subsection (8)(a) must be distributed by the commissioner. Claims must be filed with and valued by the commissioner in accordance with the laws of the state in which the trust is domiciled and that apply to the liquidation of domestic insurers.

(d) The commissioner may determine that the assets of the trust fund or any part of the trust fund assets are not necessary to satisfy the claims of the United States ceding insurers of the grantor of the trust. If the commissioner makes this determination, the commissioner shall return the assets or part of the assets to the trustee for distribution in accordance with the trust agreement.

(9) (a) The commissioner may suspend or revoke a reinsurer's accreditation or certification if the reinsurer ceases to meet the requirements of this section. The commissioner shall give the reinsurer notice and opportunity for a hearing. The suspension or revocation may not take effect until after the commissioner's order on hearing unless:

(i) the reinsurer waives its right to a hearing;

(ii) the commissioner's order is based on:

(A) regulatory action by the reinsurer's domiciliary jurisdiction; or

(B) the voluntary surrender or termination of the reinsurer's eligibility to transact insurance or reinsurance business in its domiciliary jurisdiction; or

(iii) the commissioner finds that an emergency requires immediate action.

(b) While a reinsurer's accreditation or certification is suspended, no reinsurance contract issued or renewed after the effective date of the suspension qualifies for credit under this section except to the extent that the reinsurer's obligations under the contract are secured in accordance with this section. If a reinsurer's accreditation or certification is revoked, no credit for reinsurance may be granted after the effective date of the revocation except to the extent that the reinsurer's obligations under the contract are secured in accordance with 33-2-1217 and subsection (5)(e)(x) of this section.

(10) (a)  A ceding insurer shall take steps:

(i) to manage the reinsurance recoverables proportionate to the ceding insurer's own book of business. A domestic ceding insurer shall provide notice to the commissioner within 30 days after:

(A) the reinsurance recoverables from any single assuming insurer or group of affiliated assuming insurers exceeds 50% of the domestic ceding insurer's last reported surplus to policyholders; or

(B) a determination that the reinsurance recoverables from any single assuming insurer or group of affiliated assuming insurers is likely to exceed the limit in subsection (10)(a)(i)(A).

(ii) to diversify its reinsurance program. A domestic ceding insurer shall notify the commissioner within 30 days after ceding to any single assuming insurer or group of affiliated assuming insurers more than 20% of the ceding insurer's gross written premium in the prior calendar year or after the domestic ceding insurer has determined that the reinsurance ceded to any single assuming insurer or group of affiliated assuming insurers is likely to exceed the 20% limit.

(b) The notifications made pursuant to this subsection (10) must demonstrate that the exposure is safely managed by the domestic ceding insurer.

(11) A reinsurance contract issued or renewed after the effective date of a suspension or revocation does not qualify for credit except to the extent that the reinsurer's obligations under the contract are secured in accordance with this section.

History: En. Sec. 28, Ch. 596, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 28, Ch. 379, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 33, Ch. 370, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 16, Ch. 9, L. 2017; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 60, L. 2019.