§ 24-A §2325-B — Mandatory property and casualty insurance market assistance program

1.
Definitions.
As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
2.
Authority to establish program.
If the superintendent establishes a voluntary market assistance plan in accordance with section 2325‑A to increase the availability of basic property and casualty insurance in this State and the superintendent determines after a public hearing that the number of insurers participating in the voluntary market assistance plan is insufficient or that a sufficient number of risks has not been written through the plan, then the superintendent may establish a mandatory property and casualty insurance market assistance program in accordance with this section. The superintendent shall adopt rules regarding the level of insufficient participation in the voluntary market assistance plan that is necessary for the establishment of a program under this section. The provisions in the rules governing a determination of insufficient participation in the voluntary market assistance plan must take into account the length of time the voluntary market assistance plan is operational.
3.
Mandatory insurer participation.
All insurers, except eligible surplus lines insurers, authorized to write and engaged in writing in this State, on a direct basis, basic property and casualty insurance shall cooperate in organizing a program as required by subsection 4. Every such insurer must be a member of the program and remain a member as long as the insurer has net direct premiums on basic property and casualty insurance in this State.
4.
Required action by superintendent.
If the superintendent determines that a program under this section should be established in accordance with the requirements of subsection 2, the superintendent shall:
5.
Governing committee.
The governing committee of the program consists of 8 members as follows:
6.
Plan of operation.
The program must be operated by the governing committee established under subsection 5 pursuant to a plan of operation approved by the superintendent. The governing committee shall develop a plan of operation and submit the plan to the superintendent for approval. If the superintendent disapproves the proposed plan of operation, the governing committee must, within 30 days, submit for review an appropriately revised plan of operation and, if the governing committee fails to submit such a plan or if the revised plan is also disapproved by the superintendent, the superintendent must develop a plan of operation consistent with this section. The governing committee may, on its own initiative or at the request of the superintendent, amend the plan of operation with the approval of the superintendent.
7.
Operation of program contingent upon approval.
The program may not become operational until rules have been adopted as required by this section and the superintendent has approved the plan of operation in accordance with subsection 6.
8.
Rulemaking.
In accordance with subsection 4, the superintendent may adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules under Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A. Rules adopted under this section may include:
9.
Modified policy form and rate filings.
A modified policy form and modified rate developed by a member insurer must be filed with the superintendent. A modified rate to be used in connection with an existing policy form that consists solely of a permissible surcharge not in excess of the maximum allowable cap contained in rules adopted under subsection 8 may be used by a member insurer immediately upon filing that modified rate with the superintendent. For any other modified filings, a modified policy form and modified rate must be filed with the superintendent not less than 30 days in advance of the stated effective date. A modified rate filing subject to the 30-day advance filing requirement must include any supplementary rating information to be used in conjunction with a rate and, to the extent available, sufficient supporting information to support a rate. A modified rate may not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory with respect to risks written through the program. A modified policy form may only be disapproved for the grounds specified in section 2413. All modified policy form and rate filings are confidential until approved in accordance with applicable law.
10.
Immunity from liability for inspections.
There is no liability on the part of, and a cause of action does not arise against, member insurers, the program or the governing committee or agents or employees of any of them or the superintendent or the superintendent's authorized representatives with respect to any inspections to be undertaken by this section or for any acts or omissions in connection with those inspections or for any statements made in a report or communication concerning the insurability of the property.
11.
Superintendent's authority to suspend.
In the event of impairment or serious financial difficulty of a member insurer, the superintendent may suspend the application of the provisions of this section from applying to the financially distressed member insurer.
12.
Expiration of program.
A program established by the superintendent pursuant to this section expires 2 years from the date the program becomes operational unless terminated earlier by the superintendent or unless, after a public hearing, the superintendent determines, based on clear and convincing evidence, that continued operation of the program is necessary to address the unavailability of basic property and casualty insurance for underserved areas or risk types. For purposes of this subsection, the program becomes operational on the effective date of the first policy issued through the program. If the superintendent finds that continued operation of the program is necessary, then any person insured under the program must reapply for coverage as new business under the program at the next renewal date occurring after the date of the superintendent's order to continue the program. Any policy written through the program that is in force when the program is terminated continues in force until its stated expiration date in accordance with the terms and conditions of the policy and the provisions in the plan of operation.
13.
Powers of superintendent.
In addition to any powers conferred upon the superintendent by this or any other law, the superintendent has authority to supervise the program and may:
14.
Penalties for violations.
The superintendent may take any action permitted under section 12‑A against a member insurer or any other person required to be licensed under this Title who violates this section or any other applicable law or rule.
15.
Annual report.
On or before March 31st of each year, the governing committee shall submit a report detailing the program's operations for the previous calendar year to the superintendent and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over insurance and financial services matters. The annual report is a public record within the meaning of Title 1, chapter 13, subchapter 1.
16.
Applicability of provisions.
Insurance provided through the program is subject to all other laws relating to that type of insurance, except policies issued through the program are not subject to section 3007 or to chapter 41, subchapter 5. In the event there is a conflict between any express provision in this section and any other applicable law, then the provisions of this section control. Notwithstanding sections 2162 and 2303, a member insurer may utilize underwriting guidelines, modified policy forms, modified rates and rating rules that differ from its voluntary business with respect to insurance issued through the program, as long as the program underwriting guidelines, modified policy forms, modified rates and rating rules comply with this section, the plan of operation and the rules adopted by the superintendent.

Legislative History

PL 2003, c. 671, §B2 (NEW). PL 2011, c. 320, Pt. A, §9 (AMD).