A. No license shall be issued to any home protection company unless the applicant:

1. Is a Virginia corporation formed under the provisions of Article 3 (§ 13.1-618 et seq.) of Chapter 9 of Title 13.1, or Article 3 (§ 13.1-818 et seq.) of Chapter 10 of Title 13.1; or

2. Is a foreign corporation subject to regulation and licensing under the laws of its domiciliary jurisdiction which are substantially similar to those provided in this chapter, and has obtained a certificate of authority to transact business in this Commonwealth;

3. Furnishes the Commission with evidence satisfactory to it that the management of the home protection company is competent and trustworthy, and can be reasonably expected to successfully manage the company's affairs in compliance with law;

4. Establishes to the satisfaction of the Commission that it (i) maintains employees or has contractual arrangements sufficient to provide the services or indemnity undertaken by it, and (ii) agrees to accept requests for heating, electrical and plumbing services contracted for twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week;

5. Makes the deposit of bonds or other securities required by this section;

6. Is otherwise in compliance with this chapter;

7. Has filed the required application and paid the required fee;

8. Has paid all fees, taxes, and charges required by law;

9. Has the minimum net worth prescribed by this section;

10. Has filed any financial statement and any reports, certificates, or other documents as the Commission deems necessary to secure a full and accurate knowledge of its affairs and financial condition; and

11. Keeps adequate, correct and complete books and records of accounts and maintains proper accounting controls.

B. The Commission shall not issue a license to or renew the license of a home protection company unless it is satisfied that the financial condition, the method of operation, and the manner of doing business enable the home protection company to meet its obligations to all contract holders and that the home protection company has otherwise complied with all the requirements of law.

C. A home protection company shall maintain a net worth in an amount not less than 20% of the premiums charged on its contracts currently in force; however, the minimum required net worth shall be not less than $100,000, and the maximum required net worth shall be that amount required of insurers under the provisions of Article 5 (§ 38.2-1024 et seq.) of Chapter 10 of this title.

D. No license shall be granted to any home protection company until it presents to the Commission a certificate of the State Treasurer that bonds or other securities have been deposited with him to be held in accordance with the provisions of and upon the terms and conditions and in the amount as provided in Article 7 (§ 38.2-1045 et seq.) of Chapter 10 of this title.

1981, c. 530, § 38.1-934; 1982, c. 132; 1984, c. 640; 1986, c. 562; 2006, c. 634; 2017, c. 727.