Chapter 58 - Article 10

Article 10.

Miscellaneous Insurer Financial Provisions.

Part 1. Conversion of Stock and Mutual Insurers.

§ 58‑10‑1. Stock to mutual insurer conversion.

Any domestic stock life insurance corporation may become a mutual life insurance corporation, and to that end may carry out a plan for the acquisition of shares of its capital stock: Provided, however, that such plan (i) shall have been adopted by a vote of a majority of the directors of such corporation; (ii) shall have been approved by a vote of the holders of two thirds of the stock outstanding at the time of issuing the call for a meeting for that purpose; (iii) shall have been submitted to the Commissioner and shall have been approved by him in writing, and (iv) shall have been approved by a majority vote of the policyholders (including, for the purpose of this Part, the employer or the president, secretary or other executive officer of any corporation or association to which a master group policy has been issued, but excluding the holders of certificates or policies issued under or in connection with a master group policy) voting at said meeting, called for that purpose, at which meeting only such policyholders whose insurance shall then be in force and shall have been in force for at least one year prior to such a meeting shall be entitled to vote; notice of such a meeting shall be given by mailing such notice, postage prepaid, from the home office of such corporation at least 30 days prior to such meeting to such policyholders at their last known post‑office addresses: Provided, that personal delivery of such written notice to any policyholder may be in lieu of mailing the same; and such meeting shall be otherwise provided for and conducted in such a manner as shall be provided in such plan: Provided, however, that policyholders may vote in person, by proxy, or by mail; that all such votes shall be cast by ballot, and a representative of the Commissioner shall supervise and direct the methods and procedure of said meeting and appoint an adequate number of inspectors to conduct the voting at said meeting who shall have power to determine all questions concerning the verification of the ballots, the ascertainment of the validity thereof, the qualifications of the voters, and the canvass of the vote, and who shall certify to the said representative and to the corporation the results thereof, and with respect thereto shall act under such rules and regulations as shall be prescribed by the Commissioner; that all necessary expenses incurred by the Commissioner or his representative shall be paid by the corporation as certified to by said Commissioner. Every payment for the acquisition of any shares of the capital stock of such corporation, the purchase price of which is not fixed by such plan, shall be subject to the approval of the Commissioner: Provided, that neither such plan, nor any payment thereunder, nor any payment not fixed by such plan, shall be approved by the Commissioner, if the making of such payment shall reduce the assets of the corporation to an amount less than the entire liabilities of the corporation, including therein the net values of its outstanding contracts according to the standard adopted by the Commissioner, and also all other funds, contingent reserves and surplus which the corporation is required by order or direction of the Commissioner to maintain, save so much of the surplus as shall have been appropriated or paid under such plan. (1937, c. 231, s. 1; 1991, c. 720, s. 4; 1995, c. 318, s. 1; 2001‑223, s. 9.3.)

§ 58‑10‑5. Stock acquired to be turned over to voting trust until all stock acquired; dividends repaid to corporation for beneficiaries.

If a domestic stock life insurance corporation shall determine to become a mutual life insurance corporation it may, in carrying out any plan to that end under the provisions of G.S. 58‑10‑1, acquire any shares of its own stock by gift, bequest or purchase. And until all such shares are acquired, any shares so acquired shall be acquired in trust for the policyholders of the corporation as hereinafter provided, and shall be assigned and transferred on the books of the corporation to not less than three nor more than five trustees, and be held by them in trust and be voted by such trustees at all corporate meetings at which stockholders have the right to vote until all of the capital stock of such corporation is acquired, when the entire capital stock shall be retired and canceled; and thereupon, unless sooner incorporated as such, the corporation shall be and become a mutual life insurance corporation without capital stock. Said trustees shall be appointed and vacancies shall be filled as provided in the plan adopted under G.S. 58‑10‑1. Said trustees shall file with the corporation and with the Commissioner a verified acceptance of their appointments and declaration that they will faithfully discharge their duties as such trustees. After the payment of such dividends to stockholders or former stockholders as may have been provided in the plan adopted under G.S. 58‑10‑1, all dividends and other sums received by said trustees on said shares of stock so acquired, after paying the necessary expenses of executing said trust, shall be immediately repaid to said corporation for the benefit of all who are or may become policyholders of said corporation and entitled to participate in the profits thereof, and shall be added to and become a part of the surplus earned by said corporation, and be apportionable accordingly as a part of said surplus among said policyholders. (1937, c. 231, s. 2; 1991, c. 720, s. 4.)

§ 58‑10‑10. Mutual to stock insurer conversion.

(a) A domestic mutual insurer may convert to a domestic stock insurer under a plan that is approved in advance by the Commissioner.

(b) The Commissioner shall not approve the plan unless:

(1) It is fair and equitable to the insurer's policyholders.

(2) It is adopted by the insurer's board of directors in accordance with the insurer's bylaws and approved by a vote of not less than two‑thirds of the insurer's members voting on it in person, by proxy, or by mail at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the plan, pursuant to reasonable notice and procedure as approved by the Commissioner. If the company is a life insurer, the right to vote may be limited, as its bylaws provide, to members whose policies are other than term or group policies and have been in effect for more than one year.

(3) Each policyholder's equity in the insurer is determinable under a fair and reasonable formula approved by the Commissioner. The equity shall be based upon the insurer's entire statutory surplus after deducting certificates of contribution, guaranty capital certificates, and similar evidences of indebtedness included in an insurer's statutory surplus.

(4) The policyholders entitled to vote on the plan and participate in the purchase of stock and distribution of assets include all policyholders on the date the plan was adopted by the insurer's board of directors.

(5) The plan provides that each policyholder specified in subdivision (4) of this subsection receives a preemptive right to acquire a proportionate part of all of the proposed capital stock of the insurer or of all of the stock of a corporation affiliated with the insurer within a designated reasonable period as the part is determinable under the plan of conversion; and to apply toward the purchase of the stock the amount of the policyholder's equity in the insurer under subdivision (3) of this subsection. The plan must provide for an equitable distribution of fractional interests.

(6) The plan provides for payment to each policyholder of the policyholder's entire equity in the insurer; with that payment to be applied toward the purchase of stock to which the policyholder is entitled preemptively or to be made in cash, or both. The cash payment may not exceed fifty percent (50%) of each policyholder's equity. The stock purchased, together with the cash payment, if any, shall constitute full payment and discharge of the policyholder's equity as an owner of the mutual insurer.

(7) Shares are to be offered to policyholders at a price not greater than that of shares to be subsequently offered to others.

(8) The Commissioner finds that the insurer's management has not, through reduction of volume of new business written, through policy cancellations, or through any other means, sought to (i) reduce, limit, or affect the number or identity of the insurer's members entitled to participate in the plan or (ii) secure for the individuals constituting management any unfair advantage through the plan.

(9) The plan, when completed, provides that the insurer's capital and surplus are not less than the minimum required of a domestic stock insurer transacting the same kinds of insurance, are reasonable in relation to the insurer's outstanding liabilities, and are adequate to meet its financial needs.

(c) With respect to an insurer with a guaranty capital, the conversion plan shall be approved by a vote of not less than two‑thirds of the insurer's guaranty capital shareholders and policyholders as provided for in subdivision (b)(2) of this section. The plan may provide for the issuance of stock in exchange for outstanding guaranty capital shares at their redemption value subject to the conditions in subsection (b) of this section.

(d) The Commissioner may schedule a public hearing on the proposed conversion plan.

(e) The Commissioner may retain, at the mutual insurer's expense, any attorneys, actuaries, economists, accountants, or other experts not otherwise a part of the Commissioner's staff as may be reasonably necessary to assist the Commissioner in reviewing the proposed conversion plan.

(f) The corporate existence of the mutual company continues in the stock company created under this section. All assets, rights, franchises, and interests of the former mutual insurer, in and to real or personal property, are deemed to be transferred to and vested in the stock insurer, without any other deed or transfer; and the stock insurer simultaneously assumes all of the obligations and liabilities of the former mutual insurer.

(g) No director, officer, or employee of the insurer shall receive:

(1) Any fee, commission, compensation, or other valuable consideration for aiding, promoting, or assisting in the conversion of the mutual insurer to a domestic stock insurer, other than compensation paid to any director, officer, or employee of the insurer in the ordinary course of business; or

(2) Any distribution of the assets, surplus, or capital of the insurer as part of a conversion.

(h) The Commissioner may adopt rules to carry out the provisions of this section. (1999‑369, s. 6; 2001‑223, s. 9.5.)

§ 58‑10‑12. Conversion plan requirements.

(a) As used in this section:

(1) "Closed block" means an allocation of assets for a defined group of in‑ force policies which, together with the premiums of those policies and related investment earnings, are expected to be sufficient to maintain the payments of guaranteed benefits, certain expenses, and continuation of the current dividend scale on the closed block, if experience does not change.

(2) "Converting mutual" means a domestic mutual insurance company that has adopted a plan of conversion and an amendment to its articles of incorporation under this section that will, upon consummation, result in the domestic mutual insurance company converting into a domestic stock insurance company.

(3) "Eligible member" means a person who:

a. Is a member of the converting mutual on the date the converting mutual's board of directors adopts a resolution proposing a plan of conversion and an amendment to the articles of incorporation; and

b. Continues to be a member of the converting mutual on the effective date of the conversion.

(4) "Former mutual" means the domestic stock insurance company resulting from the conversion of a converting mutual to a stock insurance company under a plan of conversion and an amendment to its articles of incorporation under this section.

(5) "Member" means a person that, according to the records, articles of incorporation, and bylaws of a converting mutual, is a member of the converting mutual.

(6) "Membership interests" means:

a. The voting rights of members of a domestic mutual insurance company as provided by law and by the company's articles of incorporation and bylaws; and

b. The rights of members of a domestic mutual insurance company to receive cash, stock, or other consideration in the event of a conversion to a stock insurance company under this section or a dissolution as provided by the company's articles of incorporation and bylaws.

(7) "Parent company" means a corporation that, upon the effective date of a conversion, owns all of the stock of the former mutual.

(8) "Plan of conversion" means the plan of conversion described in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) The plan of conversion under G.S. 58‑10‑10 shall:

(1) Describe the manner in which the proposed conversion will occur and the insurance and any other companies that will result from or be directly affected by the conversion, including the former mutual and any parent company.

(2) Provide that the membership interests in the converting mutual will be extinguished as of the effective date of the conversion.

(3) Require the distribution to the eligible members, upon the extinguishing of their membership interests, of aggregate consideration equal to the fair value of the converting mutual.

(4) Describe the manner in which the fair value of the converting mutual has been or will be determined.

(5) Describe the form or forms and amount, if known, of consideration to be distributed to the eligible members.

(6) Specify relevant classes, categories, or groups of eligible members and describe and explain any differences in the form or forms and amount of consideration to be distributed to or among the eligible members.

(7) Require and describe the method or formula for the fair and equitable allocation of the consideration among the eligible members.

(8) Provide for the determination and preservation of the reasonable dividend expectations of eligible members and other policyholders with policies that provide for the distribution of policy dividends, through establishment of a closed block or other method acceptable to the Commissioner.

(9) Provide that each member and other policyholder of the converting mutual will receive notification of the address and telephone number of the converting mutual and the former mutual, if different, along with the notice of hearing as approved by the Commissioner.

(10) Include other provisions as the converting mutual determines to be necessary.

(c) After the adoption by the board of directors of the resolution proposing the plan of conversion under G.S. 58‑10‑10 and the amendment to its articles of incorporation, the converting mutual shall file with the Commissioner an application for approval of the plan and amendment. The application must contain the following information, together with any additional information as the Commissioner may require:

(1) The plan of conversion and a certificate of the secretary of the converting mutual certifying the adoption of the plan by the board of directors.

(2) A statement of the reasons for the proposed conversion and why the conversion is in the best interests of the converting mutual, the eligible members, and the other policyholders. The statement must include an analysis of the risks and benefits to the converting mutual and its members of the proposed conversion and a comparison of the risks and benefits of the conversion with the risks and benefits of reasonable alternatives to a conversion.

(3) A five‑year business plan and at least two years of financial forecasts of the former mutual and any parent company.

(4) Any plans that the former mutual or any parent company may have to:

a. Raise additional capital through the issuance of stock or otherwise;

b. Sell or issue stock to any person, including any compensation or benefit plan for directors, officers, or employees under which stock may be issued;

c. Liquidate or dissolve any company or sell any material assets;

d. Merge or consolidate or pursue any other form of reorganization with any person; or

e. Make any other material change in investment policy, business, corporate structure, or management.

(5) Any plans for a delayed distribution of consideration to eligible members or restrictions on sale or transfer of stock or other securities.

(6) A copy of the form of trust agreement, if a distribution of consideration is to be delayed by more than six months after the effective date of the conversion.

(7) A plan of operation for a closed block, if a closed block is used for the preservation of the reasonable dividend expectations of eligible members and other policyholders with policies that provide for the distribution of policy dividends.

(8) Copies of the amendment to the articles of incorporation proposed by the board of directors and proposed bylaws of the former mutual and copies of the existing and any proposed articles of incorporation and bylaws of any parent company.

(9) A list of all individuals who are or have been selected to become directors or officers of the former mutual and any parent company, or the individuals who perform or will perform duties customarily performed by a director or officer, and the following information concerning each individual on the list unless the information is already on file with the Commissioner:

a. The individual's principal occupation.

b. All offices and positions the individual has held in the preceding five years.

c. Any crime of which the individual has been convicted (other than traffic violations) in the preceding 10 years.

d. Information concerning any personal bankruptcy of the individual or the individual's spouse during the previous seven years.

e. Information concerning the bankruptcy of any corporation or other entity of which the individual was an officer or director during the previous seven years.

f. Information concerning allegations of state or federal securities law violations made against the individual that within the previous 10 years resulted in (i) a determination that the individual violated state or federal securities laws; (ii) a plea of nolo contendere; or (iii) a consent decree.

g. Information concerning the suspension, revocation, or other disciplinary action during the previous 10 years of any state or federal license issued to the individual.

h. Information as to whether the individual was refused a bond during the previous 10 years.

(10) A fairness opinion addressed to the board of directors of the converting mutual from a qualified, independent financial adviser asserting:

a. That the provision of stock, cash, policy benefits, or other forms of consideration upon the extinguishing of the converting mutual's membership interests under the plan of conversion and the amendment to the articles of incorporation is fair to the eligible members, as a group, from a financial point of view; and

b. Whether the total consideration under sub‑subdivision a. of this subdivision is equal to or greater than the surplus of the converting mutual.

The Commissioner may waive the fairness opinion in situations involving a straightforward issuance of stock to members of the former mutual.

(11) An actuarial opinion as to the following:

a. The reasonableness and appropriateness of the methodology or formulas used to allocate consideration among eligible members, consistent with this Article.

b. The reasonableness of the plan of operation and sufficiency of the assets allocated to the closed block, if a closed block is used for the preservation of the reasonable dividend expectations of eligible members and other policyholders with policies that provide for the distribution of policy dividends.

(12) If any of the consideration to be distributed to eligible members consists of stock or other securities, subject to the limitations of G.S. 58‑10‑10(b)(6), a description of the plans made by the former mutual or its parent company to assure that an active public trading market for the stock or other securities will develop within a reasonable amount of time after the effective date of the plan of conversion and that eligible members who receive stock or other securities will be able to sell their stock or other securities, subject to any delayed distribution or transfer restrictions, at reasonable cost and effort.

(13) Any additional information, documents, or materials that the converting mutual determines to be necessary.

(d) Distribution of all or part of the consideration to some or all of the eligible members may be delayed, or restrictions on sale or transfer of any stock or other securities to be distributed to eligible members may be required, for a reasonable period of time following the effective date of the conversion. However, the period of time shall not exceed six months unless otherwise approved by the Commissioner.

(e) Except as specifically provided in a plan of conversion, for five years following the effective date of the conversion, no person or persons acting in concert (other than the former mutual, any parent company, or any employee benefit plans or trusts sponsored by the former mutual or a parent company) shall directly or indirectly acquire, or agree or offer to acquire, in any manner the beneficial ownership of five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of any class of a voting security of the former mutual or any parent company without the prior approval of the Commissioner of a statement filed by that person with the Commissioner. The statement shall contain the information required by G.S. 58‑19‑15(b) and any other information required by the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall not approve an acquisition under this subsection unless the Commissioner finds that:

(1) The requirements of G.S. 58‑19‑15(e) will be satisfied.

(2) The acquisition will not frustrate the plan of conversion or the amendment to the articles of incorporation as approved by the members and the Commissioner.

(3) The boards of directors of the former mutual and any parent company have approved the acquisition.

(4) The acquisition would be in the best interest of the present and future policyholders of the former mutual without regard to any interest of policyholders as shareholders of the former mutual or any parent company. (2001‑223, s. 9.6.)

Part 2. Assumption Reinsurance.

§ 58‑10‑20. Scope.

(a) This Part applies to any licensed insurer that either assumes or transfers the obligations or risks on policies under an assumption reinsurance agreement that is entered into on or after January 1, 1996.

(b) This Part does not apply to:

(1) Any reinsurance agreement or transaction in which the ceding insurer continues to remain directly liable for its insurance obligations or risks under the policies subject to the reinsurance agreement.

(2) The substitution of one insurer for another upon the expiration of insurance coverage under statutory or contractual requirements and the issuance of a new policy by another insurer.

(3) The transfer of policies under mergers or consolidations of two or more insurers to the extent that those transactions are regulated by statute.

(4) Except as provided in G.S. 58‑10‑45, any insurer subject to a judicial order of liquidation or rehabilitation.

(5) Any reinsurance agreement or transaction to which a state insurance guaranty association is a party, provided that policyholders do not lose any rights or claims afforded under their original policies under Articles 48 or 62 of this Chapter.

(6) The transfer of liabilities from one insurer to another under a single group policy upon the request of the group policyholder. (1995, c. 318, s. 1; 2004‑199, s. 20(b).)

§ 58‑10‑25. Definitions.

(a) As used in this Part:

(1) Assuming insurer. – The insurer that acquires an insurance obligation or risk from the transferring insurer under an assumption reinsurance agreement.

(2) Assumption reinsurance agreement. – Any contract, arrangement, or plan that:

a. Transfers insurance obligations or risks of existing or in‑force policies from a transferring insurer to an assuming insurer.

b. Is intended to effect a novation of transferred policies with the result that the assuming insurer becomes directly liable to the policyholders of the transferring insurer and the transferring insurer's insurance obligations or risks under the policies are extinguished.

(3) Home service business. – Insurance business on which premiums are collected on a weekly or monthly basis by an agent of the insurer.

(4) Policy. – A contract of insurance as defined in G.S. 58‑1‑10.

(5) Policyholder. – Any person that has the right to terminate or otherwise alter the terms of a policy. It includes any group policy certificate holder whose certificate is in force on the proposed effective date of the assumption, if the certificate holder has the right to keep the certificate in force without any change in benefits after termination of the group policy. The right to keep the certificate in force referred to in this subdivision does not include the right to elect individual coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act ("COBRA"), section 601, et seq., of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 1161, et seq.

(6) Transferring insurer. – The insurer that transfers an insurance obligation or risk to an assuming insurer under an assumption reinsurance agreement.

(b) For the purposes of this Part, a "novation" does not require the formation of a new policy or the amendment of an existing policy between the assuming insurer and the policyholder. (1995, c. 318, s. 1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 752, s. 2.)

§ 58‑10‑30. Notice requirements.

(a) The transferring insurer shall provide or cause to be provided to each policyholder a notice of transfer by first‑class mail, addressed to the policyholder's last known address or to the address to which premium notices or other policy documents are sent; or with respect to home service business, by personal delivery with acknowledged receipt. A notice of transfer shall also be sent to the transferring insurer's agents or brokers of record on the affected policies.

(b) The notice of transfer shall be in a form identical or substantially similar to Appendix A of the NAIC Assumption Reinsurance Model Act, as amended by the NAIC and shall state or provide:

(1) The date on which the transfer and novation of the policyholder's policy is proposed to take place.

(2) The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the assuming and transferring insurers.

(3) That the policyholder has the right to either consent to or reject the transfer and novation.

(4) The procedures and time limit for consenting to or rejecting the transfer and novation.

(5) A summary of any effect that consenting to or rejecting the transfer and novation will have on the policyholder's rights.

(6) A statement that the assuming insurer is licensed to write the type of business being assumed in the state where the policyholder resides, or is otherwise authorized, as provided in this Part, to assume that business.

(7) The name and address of the person at the transferring insurer to whom the policyholder should send the policyholder's written statement of acceptance or rejection of the transfer and novation.

(8) The address and telephone number of the insurance department where the policyholder resides so that the policyholder may write or call that insurance department for further information about the financial condition of the assuming insurer.

(9) The following financial data for both insurers:

a. Ratings for the last five years, if available, or for any shorter period that is available, from two nationally recognized insurance rating services acceptable to the Commissioner, including the rating services' explanations of the meanings of their ratings. If ratings are unavailable for any year of the five‑year period, this shall also be disclosed.

b. A balance sheet as of December 31 for the previous three years, if available, or for any shorter period that is available, and as of the date of the most recent quarterly statement.

c. A copy of the Management's Discussion and Analysis that was filed as a supplement to the previous year's annual statement.

d. An explanation of the reason for the transfer.

(c) The notice of transfer shall include a preaddressed, postage‑paid response card that the policyholder may return as the policyholder's written statement of acceptance or rejection of the transfer and novation.

(d) The notice of transfer shall be filed as part of the prior approval requirement set forth in subsection (e) of this section.

(e) Prior approval by the Commissioner is required for any transaction in which a domestic insurer assumes or transfers obligations or risks on policies under an assumption reinsurance agreement. No insurer licensed in this State shall transfer obligations or risks on policies issued to or owned by residents of this State to any insurer that is not licensed in this State. A domestic insurer shall not assume obligations or risks on policies issued to or owned by policyholders residing in any other state unless it is licensed in the other state, or the insurance regulator of that state has approved the assumption.

(f) Any licensed foreign insurer that enters into an assumption reinsurance agreement that transfers the obligations or risks on policies issued to or owned by residents of this State shall file with the Commissioner the assumption certificate, a copy of the notice of transfer, and an affidavit that the transaction is subject to substantially similar requirements in the states of domicile of both the transferring and assuming insurers. If those requirements do not exist in the state of domicile of either the transferring or assuming insurer, the requirements of subsection (g) of this section apply.

(g) Any licensed foreign insurer that enters into an assumption reinsurance agreement that transfers the obligations or risks on policies issued to or owned by residents of this State shall obtain prior approval of the Commissioner and be subject to all other requirements of this Part with respect to residents of this State, unless the transferring and assuming insurers are subject to assumption reinsurance requirements adopted by statute or administrative rule in the states of their domicile that are substantially similar to those contained in this Part and in any administrative rules adopted under this Part.

(h) The following factors, along with any other factors the Commissioner deems to be appropriate under the circumstances, shall be considered by the Commissioner in reviewing a request for approval:

(1) The financial condition of the transferring and assuming insurers and the effect the transaction will have on the financial condition of each company.

(2) The competence, experience, and integrity of those persons who control the operation of the assuming insurer.

(3) The plans or proposals the assuming insurer has with respect to the administration of the policies subject to the proposed transfer.

(4) Whether the transfer is fair and reasonable to the policyholders of both insurers.

(5) Whether the notice of transfer to be provided by the insurer is fair, adequate, and not misleading. (1995, c. 318, s. 1.)

§ 58‑10‑35. Policyholder rights.

(a) Policyholders may reject the transfer and novation of their policies by indicating on the response card that the assumption is rejected and returning the card to the transferring insurer.

(b) Payment of any premium to the assuming company during the 24‑month period after the notice of transfer has been received indicates the policyholder's acceptance of the transfer to the assuming insurer; and a novation shall occur only if the premium notice clearly states that payment of the premium to the assuming insurer constitutes acceptance of the transfer. The premium notice shall also provide a method for the policyholder to pay the premium while reserving the right to reject the transfer. With respect to any home service business or any other business not using premium notices, the disclosures and procedural requirements of this subsection are to be set forth in the notice of transfer required by G.S. 58‑10‑30 and in the assumption certificate.

(c) After no fewer than 24 months after the mailing of the initial notice of transfer required under G.S. 58‑10‑30, if positive consent to, or rejection of, the transfer and assumption has not been received or consent has not been deemed to have occurred under subsection (b) of this section, the transferring insurer shall send to the policyholder a second and final notice of transfer as specified in G.S. 58‑10‑30. If the policyholder does not accept or reject the transfer during the one‑month period immediately after the date on which the transferring insurer mailed the second and final notice of transfer, the policyholder's consent and novation of the contract will occur. With respect to the home service business, or any other business not using premium notices, the 24‑month and one‑month periods shall be measured from the date of delivery of the notice of transfer under G.S. 58‑10‑30.

(d) The transferring insurer shall be deemed to have received the response card on the date it is postmarked. A policyholder may also send the response card by facsimile, other electronic transmission, registered mail, express delivery, or courier service; in which case the response card shall be deemed to have been received by the transferring insurer on the date of actual receipt by the transferring insurer. (1995, c. 318, s. 1; 2007‑298, s. 7.3; 2007‑484, s. 43.5.)

§ 58‑10‑40. Effect of consent.

If a policyholder consents to the transfer under G.S. 58‑10‑35 or if the transfer is effected under G.S. 58‑10‑45, there shall be a novation of the policy, subject to the assumption reinsurance agreement, with the result that the transferring insurer is thereby relieved of all insurance obligations or risks transferred under the assumption reinsurance agreement and the assuming insurer is directly and solely liable to the policyholder for those insurance obligations or risks. (1995, c. 318, s. 1.)

§ 58‑10‑45. Commissioner's discretion.

If a domestic insurer or a foreign insurer from a state having a substantially similar law is deemed by its domiciliary insurance regulator to be in hazardous financial condition or a proceeding has been instituted against it for the purpose of reorganizing or conserving the insurer, and the transfer of the policies is in the best interest of the policyholders, as determined by the domiciliary insurance regulator, a transfer and novation may be effected notwithstanding the provisions of this Part. This may include a form of implied consent and adequate notification to the policyholders of the circumstances requiring the transfer as approved by the Commissioner. (1995, c. 318, s. 1.)

Part 3. Disclosure of Material Transactions.

§ 58‑10‑55. Report.

(a) This Part applies only to domestic insurers. Effective October 1, 1995, every insurer shall file a report with the Commissioner disclosing material acquisitions and dispositions of assets or material nonrenewals, cancellations, or revisions of ceded reinsurance agreements, unless the acquisitions and dispositions of assets or material nonrenewals, cancellations, or revisions of ceded reinsurance agreements have been submitted to the Commissioner for review, approval, or informational purposes under any other provisions of this Chapter or the North Carolina Administrative Code. This report is due within 15 days after the end of the calendar month in which any of these transactions occurred. A copy of the report, including any filed exhibits or other attachments, shall also be filed with the NAIC.

(b) All reports obtained by or disclosed to the Commissioner under this Part are confidential and are not subject to subpoena. No report shall be made public by the Commissioner, the NAIC, or any other person, except to insurance regulators of other states, without the prior written consent of the reporting insurer, unless the Commissioner, after giving the insurer notice and an opportunity to be heard, determines that the interest of policyholders, shareholders, or the public will be served by the publication of the report. In that event, the Commissioner may publish all or any part of the report in a manner the Commissioner considers appropriate. (1995, c. 318, s. 1.)

§ 58‑10‑60. Acquisitions and dispositions of assets.

(a) Insurers do not have to report acquisitions or dispositions under G.S. 58‑10‑55 if they are not material. For the purposes of this Part, a material acquisition or the aggregate of any series of related acquisitions during any 30‑day period, or a material disposition or the aggregate of any series of related dispositions during any 30‑day period, is one that is nonrecurring, not in the ordinary course of business, and involves more than five percent (5%) of the insurer's total admitted assets as reported in its most recent financial statement filed with the Department.

(b) Asset acquisitions subject to this Part include every purchase, lease, exchange, merger, consolidation, succession, or other acquisition, other than the construction or development of real property by or for the insurer or the acquisition of materials for that purpose. Asset dispositions subject to this Part include every sale, lease, exchange, merger, consolidation, mortgage, hypothecation, assignment for the benefit of creditors or otherwise, abandonment, destruction, or other disposition.

(1) Date of the transaction.

(2) Manner of acquisition or disposition.

(3) Description of the assets involved.

(4) Nature and amount of the consideration given or received.

(5) Purpose of, or reason for, the transaction.

(6) Manner by which the amount of consideration was determined.

(7) Gain or loss recognized or realized as a result of the transaction.

(8) Name of each person from whom the assets were acquired or to whom they were disposed.

(d) Every insurer shall report material acquisitions and dispositions on a nonconsolidated basis unless the insurer is part of a consolidated group of insurers that uses a pooling arrangement or one hundred percent (100%) reinsurance agreement that affects the solvency and integrity of the insurer's reserves and the insurer ceded substantially all of its direct and assumed business to the pool. An insurer cedes substantially all of its direct and assumed business to a pool if the insurer has less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) total direct plus assumed written premiums during a calendar year that are not subject to a pooling arrangement and the net income of the business not subject to the pooling arrangement represents less than five percent (5%) of the insurer's capital and surplus. (1995, c. 318, s. 1.)

§ 58‑10‑65. Nonrenewals, cancellations, or revisions of ceded reinsurance agreements.

(a) Insurers do not have to report nonrenewals, cancellations, or revisions of ceded reinsurance agreements under G.S. 58‑10‑55 if they are not material. For the purposes of this Part, a nonrenewal, cancellation, or revision of a ceded reinsurance agreement is considered material and must be reported if:

(1) It is for property and casualty business, including accident and health business written by a property and casualty insurer and affects:

a. More than fifty percent (50%) of the insurer's total ceded written premium; or

b. More than fifty percent (50%) of the insurer's total ceded indemnity and loss adjustment reserves.

(2) It is for life, annuity, and accident and health business and affects more than fifty percent (50%) of the total reserve credit taken for business ceded, on an annualized basis, as indicated in the insurer's most recent annual statement.

(3) It is for either property and casualty, or life, annuity, and accident and health business, and:

a. An authorized reinsurer representing more than ten percent (10%) of a total cession is replaced by one or more unauthorized reinsurers; or

b. Previously established collateral requirements have been reduced or waived with respect to one or more unauthorized reinsurer's representing collectively more than ten percent (10%) of a total cession.

(b) No filing is required if:

(1) For property and casualty business, including accident and health business written by a property and casualty insurer, the insurer's total ceded written premium represents, on an annualized basis, less than ten percent (10%) of its total written premium for direct and assumed business.

(2) For life, annuity, and accident and health business, the total reserve credit taken for business ceded represents, on an annualized basis, less than ten percent (10%) of the statutory reserve requirement before any cession.

(1) Effective date of the nonrenewal, cancellation, or revision.

(2) Description of the transaction, with an identification of the initiator of the transaction.

(3) Purpose of, or reason for, the transaction.

(4) If applicable, identity of the replacement reinsurers.

(d) Every insurer shall report all material nonrenewals, cancellations, or revisions of ceded reinsurance agreements on a nonconsolidated basis unless the insurer is part of a consolidated group of insurers that uses a pooling arrangement or one hundred percent (100%) reinsurance agreement that affects the solvency and integrity of the insurer's reserves and the insurer ceded substantially all of its direct and assumed business to the pool. An insurer cedes substantially all of its direct and assumed business to a pool if the insurer has less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) total direct plus assumed written premiums during a calendar year that are not subject to the pooling arrangement and the net income of the business not subject to the pooling arrangement represents less than five percent (5%) of the insurer's capital and surplus. (1995, c. 318, s. 1.)

Part 4. Protected Cell Companies.

§ 58‑10‑75. Purpose and legislative intent.

This Part provides a basis for the creation of protected cells by a domestic insurer as one means of accessing alternative sources of capital and achieving the benefits of insurance securitization. Investors in fully funded insurance securitization transactions provide funds that are available to pay the insurer's insurance obligations or to repay the investors or both. The creation of protected cells is intended to be a means to achieve more efficiencies in conducting insurance securitizations. (2001‑223, s. 25.)

§ 58‑10‑80. Definitions.

As used in this Part, unless the context requires otherwise, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) "Domestic insurer" means an insurer domiciled in the State of North Carolina.

(2) "Fair value" means the amount at which that asset (or liability) could be bought (or incurred) or sold (or settled) in a current transaction between willing parties, that is, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Quoted marked prices in active markets are the best evidence of fair value and shall be used as the basis for the measurement, if available. If a quoted market price is available, the fair value is the product of the number of trading units times market price. If quoted market prices are not available, the estimate of fair value shall be based on the best information available. The estimate of fair value shall consider prices for similar assets and liabilities and the results of valuation techniques to the extent available in the circumstances. Examples of valuation techniques include the present value of estimated expected future cash flows using a discount rate commensurate with the risks involved, option‑pricing models, matrix pricing, option‑adjusted spread models, and fundamental analysis. Valuation techniques for measuring financial assets and liabilities and servicing assets and liabilities shall be consistent with the objective of measuring fair value. Those techniques shall incorporate assumptions that market participants would use in their estimates of values, future revenues, and future expenses, including assumptions about interest rates, default, prepayment, and volatility. In measuring financial liabilities and servicing liabilities at fair value by discounting estimated future cash flows, an objective is to use discount rates at which those liabilities could be settled in an arm's‑length transaction. Estimates of expected future cash flows, if used to estimate fair value, shall be the best estimate based on reasonable and supportable assumptions and projections. All available evidence shall be considered in developing estimates of expected future cash flows. The weight given to the evidence shall be commensurate with the extent to which the evidence can be verified objectively. If a range is estimated for either the amount or timing of possible cash flows, the likelihood of possible outcomes shall be considered in determining the best estimate of future cash flows.

(3) "Fully funded" means that, with respect to any exposure attributed to a protected cell, the market value of the protected cell assets, on the date on which the insurance securitization is effected, equals or exceeds the maximum possible exposure attributable to the protected cell with respect to the exposures.

(4) "General account" means the assets and liabilities of a protected cell company other than protected cell assets and protected cell liabilities.

(5) "Indemnity trigger" means a transaction term by which relief of the issuer's obligation to repay investors is triggered by its incurring a specified level of losses under its insurance or reinsurance contracts.

(6) "Nonindemnity trigger" means a transaction term by which relief of the issuer's obligation to repay investors is triggered solely by some event or condition other than the individual protected cell company incurring a specified level of losses under its insurance or reinsurance contracts.

(7) "Protected cell" means an identified pool of assets and liabilities of a protected cell company segregated and insulated by means of this Chapter from the remainder of the protected cell company's assets and liabilities.

(8) "Protected cell account" means a specifically identified bank or custodial account established by a protected cell company for the purpose of segregating the protected cell assets of one protected cell from the protected cell assets of other protected cells and from the assets of the protected cell company's general account.

(9) "Protected cell assets" means all assets, contract rights, and general intangibles, identified with and attributable to a specific protected cell of a protected cell company.

(10) "Protected cell company" means a domestic insurer that has one or more protected cells.

(11) "Protected cell company insurance securitization" means the issuance of debt instruments, the proceeds from which support the exposures attributed to the protected cell, by a protected cell company where repayment of principal or interest, or both, to investors under the transaction terms is contingent upon the occurrence or nonoccurrence of an event with respect to which the protected cell company is exposed to loss under insurance or reinsurance contracts it has issued.

(12) "Protected cell liabilities" means all liabilities and other obligations identified with and attributable to a specific protected cell of a protected cell company. (2001‑223, s. 25.)

§ 58‑10‑85. Establishment of protected cells.

(a) A protected cell company may establish one or more protected cells with the prior written approval of the Commissioner of a plan of operation or amendments submitted by the protected cell company with respect to each protected cell in connection with an insurance securitization. Upon the Commissioner's written approval of the plan of operation, which plan shall include the specific business objectives and investment guidelines of the protected cell, the protected cell company, in accordance with the approved plan of operation, may attribute to the protected cell insurance obligations with respect to its insurance business and obligations relating to the insurance securitization and assets to fund the obligations. A protected cell shall have its own distinct name or designation, which shall include the words "protected cell." The protected cell company shall transfer all assets attributable to a protected cell to one or more separately established and identified protected cell accounts bearing the name or designation of that protected cell. Protected cell assets must be held in the protected cell accounts for the purpose of satisfying the obligations of that protected cell.

(b) All attributions of assets and liabilities between a protected cell and the general account must be in accordance with the plan of operation approved by the Commissioner. A protected cell company may make no other attribution of assets or liabilities between the protected cell company's general account and its protected cells. Any attribution of assets and liabilities between the general account and a protected cell, or from investors in the form of principal on a debt instrument issued by a protected cell company in connection with a protected cell company securitization, must be in cash or in readily marketable securities with established market values.

(c) The creation of a protected cell does not create, with respect to that protected cell, a legal person separate from the protected cell company. Amounts attributed to a protected cell under this Chapter, including assets transferred to a protected cell account, are owned by the protected cell company, and the protected cell company may not be, or may not hold itself out to be, a trustee with respect to those protected cell assets of that protected cell account. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the protected cell company may allow for a security interest to attach to protected cell assets or a protected cell account when in favor of a creditor of the protected cell and otherwise allowed under applicable law.

(d) This Part does not prohibit the protected cell company from contracting with or arranging for an investment advisor, commodity trading advisor, or other third party to manage the protected cell assets of a protected cell, if all remuneration, expenses, and other compensation of the third‑party advisor or manager are payable from the protected cell assets of that protected cell and not from the protected cell assets of other protected cells or the assets of the protected cell company's general account.

(e) A protected cell company shall establish administrative and accounting procedures necessary to properly identify the one or more protected cells of the protected cell company and the protected cell assets and protected cell liabilities attributable to the protected cells. It shall be the duty of the directors of a protected cell company to keep protected cell assets and protected cell liabilities:

(1) Separate and separately identifiable from the assets and liabilities of the protected cell company's general account; and

(2) Attributable to one protected cell separate and separately identifiable from protected cell assets and protected cell liabilities attributable to other protected cells. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, if this subsection is violated, the remedy of tracing is applicable to protected cell assets when commingled with protected cell assets of other protected cells or the assets of the protected cell company's general account. The remedy of tracing is not an exclusive remedy.

(f) When establishing a protected cell, the protected cell company shall attribute to the protected cell assets a value at least equal to the reserves and other insurance liabilities attributed to that protected cell. (2001‑223, s. 25.)

§ 58‑10‑90. Use and operation of protected cells.

(a) The protected cell assets of a protected cell may not be charged with liabilities arising out of any other business the protected cell company may conduct. All contracts or other documentation reflecting protected cell liabilities shall clearly indicate that only the protected cell assets are available for the satisfaction of those protected cell liabilities.

(b) The income, gains and losses, realized or unrealized, from protected cell assets and protected cell liabilities must be credited to or charged against the protected cell without regard to other income, gains or losses of the protected cell company, including income, gains or losses of other protected cells. Amounts attributed to any protected cell and accumulations on the attributed amounts may be invested and reinvested without regard to any requirements or limitations of this Chapter and the investments in a protected cell or cells may not be taken into account in applying the investment limitations otherwise applicable to the investments of the protected cell company.

(d) A protected cell company, with respect to any of its protected cells, shall engage in fully funded indemnity triggered insurance securitization to support in full the protected cell exposures attributable to that protected cell. A protected cell company insurance securitization that is nonindemnity triggered shall qualify as an insurance securitization under the terms of this Chapter only after the Commissioner adopts rules addressing the methods of funding of the portion of this risk that is not indemnity based and addressing accounting, disclosure, risk‑based capital treatment, and assessing risks associated with the securitizations. A protected cell company insurance securitization that is not fully funded, whether indemnity triggered or nonindemnity triggered, is prohibited. Protected cell assets may be used to pay interest or other consideration on any outstanding debt or other obligation attributable to that protected cell, and nothing in this subsection may be construed or interpreted to prevent a protected cell company from entering into a swap agreement or other transaction for the account of the protected cell that has the effect of guaranteeing interest or other consideration.

(e) In all protected cell company insurance securitizations, the contracts or other documentation effecting the transaction shall contain provisions identifying the protected cell to which the transaction will be attributed. In addition, the contracts or other documentation shall clearly disclose that the assets of that protected cell, and only those assets, are available to pay the obligations of that protected cell. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection and subject to the provisions of this Chapter and any other applicable law or rule, the failure to include such language in the contracts or other documentation may not be used as the sole basis by creditors, reinsurers, or other claimants to circumvent the provisions of this Part.

(f) A protected cell company shall only be authorized to attribute to a protected cell account the insurance obligations relating to the protected cell company's general account. Under no circumstances may a protected cell be authorized to issue insurance or reinsurance contracts directly to policyholders or reinsureds or have any obligation to the policyholders or reinsureds of the protected cell company's general account.

(g) At the cessation of business of a protected cell in accordance with the plan approved by the Commissioner, the protected cell company voluntarily shall close out the protected cell account. (2001‑223, s. 25.)

§ 58‑10‑95. Reach of creditors and other claimants.

(a) Protected cell assets shall only be available to the creditors of the protected cell company that are creditors with respect to that protected cell and, accordingly, are entitled, in conformity with this Chapter, to have recourse to the protected cell assets attributable to that protected cell and are absolutely protected from the creditors of the protected cell company that are not creditors with respect to that protected cell and who, accordingly, are not entitled to have recourse to the protected cell assets attributable to that protected cell. Creditors with respect to a protected cell are not entitled to have recourse against the protected cell assets of other protected cells or the assets or the protected cell company's general account. Protected cell assets are only available to creditors of a protected cell company after all protected cell liabilities have been extinguished or otherwise provided for in accordance with the plan of operation relating to that protected cell.

(b) When an obligation of a protected cell company to a person arises from a transaction, or is otherwise imposed, with respect to a protected cell:

(1) That obligation of the protected cell company extends only to the protected cell assets attributable to that protected cell, and the person, with respect to that obligation, is entitled to have recourse only to the protected cell assets attributable to that protected cell; and

(2) That obligation of the protected cell company does not extend to the protected cell assets of any other protected cell or the assets of the protected cell company's general account, and that person, with respect to that obligation, is not entitled to have recourse to the protected cell assets of any other protected cell or the assets of the protected cell company's general account.

(c) When an obligation of a protected cell company relates solely to the general account, the obligation of the protected cell company extends only to, and that creditor, with respect to that obligation, is entitled to have recourse only to the assets of the protected cell company's general account.

(d) The activities, assets, and obligations relating to a protected cell are not subject to the provisions of Articles 48 and 62 of this Chapter, and neither a protected cell nor a protected cell company may be assessed by, or otherwise be required to contribute to, any guaranty fund or guaranty association in this State with respect to the activities, assets, or obligations of a protected cell. Nothing in this subsection affects the activities or obligations of an insurer's general account.

(e) The establishment of one or more protected cells alone does not constitute a fraudulent conveyance, an intent by the protected cell company to defraud creditors, or the carrying out of business by the protected cell company for any other fraudulent purpose. (2001‑223, s. 25.)

§ 58‑10‑100. Conservation, rehabilitation, or liquidation of protected cell companies.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or rule, upon an order of conservation, rehabilitation, or liquidation of a protected cell company, the receiver shall deal with the protected cell company's assets and liabilities, including protected cell assets and protected cell liabilities, in accordance with the requirements set forth in this Part.

(b) With respect to amounts recoverable under a protected cell company insurance securitization, the amount recoverable by the receiver may not be reduced or diminished as a result of the entry of an order of conservation, rehabilitation, or liquidation with respect to the protected cell company, notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in the contracts or other documentation governing the protected cell company insurance securitization. (2001‑223, s. 25.)

§ 58‑10‑105. No transaction of an insurance business.

A protected cell company insurance securitization may not be deemed to be an insurance or reinsurance contract. An investor in a protected cell company insurance securitization, by sole means of this investment, may not be deemed to be conducting an insurance business in this State. The underwriters or selling agents and their partners, directors, officers, members, managers, employees, agents, representatives, and advisors involved in a protected cell company insurance securitization may not be deemed to be conducting an insurance or reinsurance agency, brokerage, intermediary, advisory, or consulting business by virtue of their activities in connection with that business. (2001‑223, s. 25.)

§ 58‑10‑110. Authority to adopt rules.

The Commissioner may adopt rules necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Part. (2001‑223, s. 25.)

Part 5. Mortgage Guaranty Insurance.

§ 58‑10‑120. Definitions.

As used in this Part:

(1) "Mortgage guaranty insurers report of policyholders position" means the supplementary report required by the Commissioner.

(2) "Policyholders position" means the contingency reserve established under G.S. 58‑10‑135 and policyholders' surplus. "Minimum policyholders position" is calculated as described in G.S. 58‑10‑125.

(3) "Policyholders surplus" means an insurer's net worth; the difference between its assets and liabilities, as reported in its annual statement. (2001‑223, s. 11; 2005‑215, s. 11.)

§ 58‑10‑125. Policyholders position and capital and surplus requirements.

(a) For the purpose of complying with G.S. 58‑7‑75, a mortgage guaranty insurer shall maintain at all times a minimum policyholders position of not less than one twenty‑fifth of the insurer's aggregate insured risk outstanding. The policyholders position shall be net of reinsurance ceded but shall include reinsurance assumed.

(b) If a mortgage guaranty insurer does not have the minimum amount of policyholders position required by this section it shall cease transacting new business until the time that its policyholders position is in compliance with this section.

(c) A mortgage guaranty insurer shall at all times maintain capital and surplus in the greater of the amount required by G.S. 58‑7‑75 or this section.

(d) through (h) Repealed by Session Laws 2007‑127, s. 5, effective July 1, 2007. (2001‑223, s. 11; 2007‑127, s. 5.)

§ 58‑10‑130. Unearned premium reserve.

(a) The unearned premium reserve shall be computed as follows:

(1) The unearned premium reserve for premiums paid in advance annually shall be calculated on the monthly pro rata fractional basis.

(2) Premiums paid in advance for 10‑year coverage shall be placed in the unearned premium reserve and shall be released from this reserve as follows:

a. 1st month – 1/132;

b. 2nd through 12th month – 2/132 each month;

c. 13th month – 3/264;

d. 14th through 120th month – 1/132 per month;

e. 121st month – 1/264

(3) Premiums paid in advance for periods in excess of 10 years. During the first 10 years of coverage the unearned portion of the premium shall be the premium collected minus an amount equal to the premium that would have been earned had the applicable premium for 10 years of coverage been received. The premium remaining after 10 years shall be released from the unearned premium reserve monthly pro rata over the remaining term of coverage.

(b) Repealed by Session Laws 2001‑334, s. 16.1.

(c) The case basis method shall be used to determine the loss reserve which shall include a reserve for claims reported and unpaid and a reserve for claims incurred but not reported. (2001‑223, s. 11; 2001‑334, s. 16.1.)

§ 58‑10‑135. Contingency reserve for mortgage guaranty insurers.

(a) Subject to G.S. 58‑7‑21, a mortgage guaranty insurer shall make an annual contribution to the contingency reserve which in the aggregate shall be fifty percent (50%) of the net earned mortgage guaranty premium reported in the annual statement.

(b) Repealed by Session Laws 2007‑127, s. 6, effective July 1, 2007.

(c) The contingency reserve established by this section shall be maintained for 120 months and reported in the financial statements as a liability. That portion of the contingency reserve established and maintained for more than 120 months shall be released and shall no longer constitute part of the contingency reserve.

(d) With the approval of the Commissioner, withdrawals may be made from the contingency reserve when incurred losses and incurred loss expenses exceed thirty‑five percent (35%) of the net earned premium. On a quarterly basis, provisional withdrawals may be made from the contingency reserve in an amount not to exceed seventy‑five percent (75%) of the withdrawal calculated in accordance with this subsection.

(e) With the approval of the Commissioner, a mortgage guaranty insurer may withdraw from the contingency reserve any amounts which are in excess of the minimum policyholders position as filed with the most recently filed annual statement. In reviewing a request for withdrawal pursuant to this subsection, the Commissioner may consider loss development and trends. If any portion of the contingency reserve for which withdrawal is requested pursuant to this subsection is maintained by a reinsurer, the Commissioner may also consider the financial condition of the reinsurer. If any portion of the contingency reserve for which withdrawal is requested pursuant to this subsection is maintained in a segregated account or segregated trust and such withdrawal would result in funds being removed from the segregated account or segregated trust, the Commissioner may also consider the financial condition of the reinsurer.

(f) Releases and withdrawals from the contingency reserve shall be accounted for on a first‑in‑first‑out basis as prescribed by the Commissioner.

(g) The calculations to develop the contingency reserve shall be made in the following sequence:

(1) The additions required by subsection (a) of this section;

(2) The releases permitted by subsection (c) of this section;

(3) The withdrawals permitted by subsection (d) of this section; and

(4) The withdrawals permitted by subsection (e) of this section.

(h) Whenever the laws or regulations of another jurisdiction in which a mortgage guaranty insurer, subject to the requirements of this Part is licensed, require a larger unearned premium reserve or a larger contingency reserve in the aggregate than that set forth in this Part, the establishment and maintenance of the larger unearned premium reserve or contingency reserve shall be deemed to be in compliance with this Part. (2001‑223, s. 11; 2001‑334, ss. 16.2, 16.3; 2007‑127, s. 6.)

§ 58‑10‑140. Report of policyholder's position.

Each mortgage guaranty insurance company doing business in this State must file on a form prescribed by the Commissioner a Mortgage Guaranty Insurers Report of Policyholders Position. The supplemental reports shall be filed with the annual and quarterly statements pursuant to G.S. 58‑2‑165. (2005‑215, s. 12.)

§ 58‑10‑145. Mono‑line requirement for mortgage guaranty insurers.

A mortgage guaranty insurance company that transacts any kind of insurance other than mortgage guaranty insurance is not eligible to transact business in this State. Provided, however, that a mortgage guaranty insurance company may, until December 31, 2012, assume reinsurance for "credit insurance," as defined in G.S. 58‑7‑15(17). (2007‑127, s. 7.)

Part 6. Property and Casualty Actuarial Opinions.

§ 58‑10‑150. Statement of actuarial opinion.

Every property and casualty insurance company doing business in this State, unless otherwise exempted by the Commissioner, shall annually submit the opinion of an appointed actuary entitled, "statement of actuarial opinion." This opinion shall be filed in accordance with the appropriate NAIC Property and Casualty Annual Statement Instructions. (2007‑127, s. 15.)

§ 58‑10‑155. Actuarial opinion summary.

(a) Every property and casualty insurance company domiciled in this State that is required to submit a statement of actuarial opinion shall annually submit an actuarial opinion summary, written by the company's appointed actuary. This actuarial opinion summary shall be filed in accordance with the appropriate NAIC Property and Casualty Annual Statement Instructions and shall be considered as a document supporting the statement of actuarial opinion required in G.S. 58‑10‑150.

(b) A company licensed but not domiciled in this State, and a company writing business in this State although not specifically licensed to do so or otherwise authorized, shall provide the actuarial opinion summary upon request. (2007‑127, s. 15.)

§ 58‑10‑160. Actuarial report and work papers.

(a) An actuarial report and underlying work papers as required by the appropriate NAIC Property and Casualty Annual Statement Instructions shall be prepared to support each statement of actuarial opinion and actuarial opinion summary.

(b) If an insurance company fails to provide a supporting actuarial report or work papers at the request of the Commissioner or if the Commissioner determines that the supporting actuarial report or work papers provided by an insurance company are unsatisfactory to the Commissioner, the Commissioner may engage an independent, qualified actuary at the expense of the company to (i) review the opinion and the basis for the opinion and (ii) prepare an actuarial report or work papers. (2007‑127, s. 15.)

§ 58‑10‑165. Monetary penalties for failure to provide documents.

A company that fails to provide a statement of actuarial opinion, actuarial opinion summary, actuarial report, or work papers within the time frame provided in the Commissioner's written request, is subject to the monetary penalties set forth in G.S. 58‑2‑70. (2007‑127, s. 15.)

§ 58‑10‑170. Qualified immunity of appointed actuary.

The appointed actuary shall not be liable for damages to any person other than the insurance company or the Commissioner for any act, error, omission, decision, or conduct with respect to the appointed actuary's opinion, except in cases of fraud or willful misconduct by the appointed actuary. (2007‑127, s. 15.)

§ 58‑10‑175. Confidentiality.

(a) The statement of actuarial opinion shall be treated as a public record.

(b) Documents, materials, or other information in the possession or control of the Department that are considered an actuarial opinion summary, actuarial report, or work papers provided in support of the opinion, and any other material provided by the company to the Commissioner in connection with the actuarial opinion summary, actuarial report, or work papers shall be confidential by law and privileged, in accord with G.S. 58‑2‑240, shall not be subject to G.S. 58‑2‑100, shall not be subject to subpoena, and shall not be subject to discovery or admissible as evidence in any private civil action.

(c) Subsection (b) of this section shall not be construed to limit the Commissioner's authority to release documents to the Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline if the documents are required for the purpose of professional disciplinary proceedings and if the Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline establishes procedures satisfactory to the Commissioner for preserving the confidentiality of the documents. In addition, this section shall not be construed to limit the Commissioner's authority to use any documents, materials, or other information in furtherance of any regulatory or legal action brought as part of the Commissioner's official duties.

(d) Neither the Commissioner nor any person who received documents, materials, or other information while acting under the authority of the Commissioner shall be permitted or required to testify in any private civil action concerning any confidential documents, materials, or information subject to subsection (b) of this section.

(e) In order to assist in the performance of the Commissioner's duties, the Commissioner:

(1) May share documents, materials, or other information, including the confidential and privileged documents, materials, or information subject to subsection (b) of this section with other state, federal, and international regulatory agencies, with the NAIC and its affiliates and subsidiaries, and with state, federal, and international law enforcement authorities, provided that the recipient agrees to maintain the confidentiality and privileged status of the document, material, or other information and has the legal authority to maintain confidentiality.

(2) May receive documents, materials, or information, including otherwise confidential and privileged documents, materials, or information, from the NAIC and its affiliates and subsidiaries, and from regulatory and law enforcement officials of other foreign or domestic jurisdictions, and shall maintain as confidential or privileged any document, material, or information received with notice or the understanding that it is confidential or privileged under the laws of the jurisdiction that is the source of the document, material, or information.

(3) May enter into agreements governing the sharing and use of information consistent with this section.

(f) No waiver of any applicable privilege or claim of confidentiality in the documents, materials, or information shall occur as a result of disclosure to the Commissioner under this section or as a result of sharing as authorized in subsection (e) of this section. (2007‑127, s. 15.)