26-37-108. Mechanical breakdown insurance organizations; bond, deposit or contractual liability insurance requirement; amounts; purpose; release; modification of initial order.

(a) To assure the faithful performance of obligations under insolvency, each mechanical breakdown insurance organization certified under W.S. 26-37-106 shall deposit and maintain with the commissioner, trust securities of the type eligible as investments by insurers under chapter 7 of this code. The trust securities required by this section shall at all times have the following market value:

(i) For an organization not transacting mechanical breakdown insurance in this state prior to January 1, 1987 and before issuing a certificate of authority under this chapter and receiving premiums, an initial amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00);

(ii) For an organization transacting mechanical breakdown insurance in this state prior to January 1, 1987 and having in force less than three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) of gross written premiums, membership fees or similar charges, a sum equal to fifty percent (50%) of the gross premiums in force or fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00), whichever is less;

(iii) For an organization transacting mechanical breakdown insurance in this state prior to January 1, 1987 and having in force more than three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) but less than seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000.00) of gross written premiums, membership fees or similar charges in this state, an amount not less than seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000.00); and

(iv) For an organization transacting mechanical breakdown insurance in this state prior to January 1, 1987 and having in force seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000.00) or more of gross written premiums, membership fees or similar charges in this state, an amount equal to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00).

(b) An organization may instead of depositing securities required under subsection (a) of this section and subject to the approval of the commissioner, file with the commissioner a surety bond issued by an authorized surety insurer under this code. The bond shall be for that purpose stated under subsection (a) of this section and the commissioner shall not approve any bond if the protection against insolvency is not equal to the protection afforded by those securities under subsection (a) of this section.

(c) An organization may instead of any deposit of securities or filing of surety bonds required under subsections (a) and (b) of this section and subject to approval of the commissioner, file a paid contractual liability insurance policy with the commissioner. This policy shall be issued by an insurer authorized to transact insurance in this state and shall be in an amount equal to or greater than fifty percent (50%) of gross written premiums in this state. The commissioner shall not approve any contractual liability insurance policy if the protection against insolvency is not equal to the protection afforded by those securities under subsection (a) of this section.

(d) Securities, bonds or insurance policies posted or filed pursuant to this section shall in case of insolvency or impairment of any organization, be for the benefit of and subject to action by any person sustaining any injury due to the failure of the organization to faithfully perform its obligations to its insureds.

(e) The state is responsible for the safekeeping of all securities deposited with the commissioner under this chapter. The securities are not subject to taxation but shall be held exclusively to guarantee the performance of the obligations of the organization to its insureds.

(f) The deposit, bond or insurance shall be maintained unimpaired as long as the mechanical breakdown insurance organization continues to operate in this state. If the organization ceases to do business in this state and furnishes proof satisfactory to the commissioner that it has discharged or otherwise adequately provided for all its obligations to its insureds in this state, the state shall release the deposited securities to the entitled parties on presentation of the state treasurer's receipts for those securities or shall release any filed bond or insurance policy.

(g) At any time the commissioner may enter an order increasing the amount of the deposit, bond or insurance specified under subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this section if he finds there has been a substantial change in the facts including an increase in the amount of premiums, membership fees or similar charges in force in this state on which the original determination was based. Within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice, the organization may submit a request to the commissioner for a hearing on the order for modification. The commissioner shall hold a hearing within thirty (30) days after receipt of the request. Failure to meet the modified requirements within thirty (30) days after a final decision or after expiration of the thirty (30) day period for submitting a request for hearing is grounds for rehabilitation pursuant to chapter 28 of this code.