Sec 20-413. Placing of surplus lines coverage; endorsement by broker; list of unauthorized insurers; removal from list; definition

A. A surplus lines broker shall not knowingly place any surplus lines coverage on behalf of an insured whose home state is Arizona with an unauthorized insurer, Lloyd's association, insurance exchange or syndicate of an insurance exchange that does not meet the minimum financial requirements of this section or that is declared by the director to be in a hazardous financial condition, improperly managed or unreliable in insurance transactions. A surplus lines broker may place surplus lines coverage with a syndicate of an unauthorized insurance exchange even if another syndicate of the insurance exchange is declared by the director to be in a hazardous financial condition, improperly managed or unreliable in insurance transactions, as long as that syndicate does not participate in insuring the risk and unless the declaration of the director specifies that the insurance exchange shall not accept surplus lines placements.

B. An unauthorized foreign insurer authorized to transact insurance on an admitted or surplus lines basis in at least one other state shall possess a minimum capital and surplus that equals the greater of either the minimum capital and surplus requirements imposed by article 1 of this chapter or fifteen million dollars.

C. An unauthorized alien insurer other than a title insurer shall possess minimum capital and surplus of at least fifteen million dollars and shall maintain within the United States in public depositories or trust institutions approved by the director assets in the amount of two million five hundred thousand dollars. The director may require the unauthorized alien insurer to maintain a larger deposit if the director determines that the public interest reasonably requires a larger deposit. A broker shall not knowingly place any insurance with the unauthorized alien insurer until the insurer complies with the director's requirement to maintain a larger deposit. Notwithstanding the requirements of this subsection, a surplus lines broker may place insurance with an alien insurer that is listed on the quarterly listing of alien insurers maintained by the national association of insurance commissioners international insurers department.

D. Any unauthorized Lloyd's association or any similar association of individual or incorporated insurers under a common administration shall maintain a trust fund in the United States of at least one hundred million dollars as joint and several security for all United States policyholders of any member of the association. The director may require the association to maintain a larger fund if the director determines that the public interest reasonably requires a larger fund. A broker shall not knowingly place any insurance with the association until the association complies with the director's requirement to maintain a larger fund.

E. An unauthorized insurance exchange authorized to transact insurance on an admitted or surplus lines basis in at least one other state shall possess minimum aggregate capital and surplus of at least fifty million dollars. Each syndicate of the insurance exchange with which a risk is to be placed shall possess minimum aggregate capital and surplus of at least four million dollars until December 31, 1996. Beginning January 1, 1997 each syndicate with which a risk is to be placed shall possess minimum capital and surplus of at least five million dollars. The insurance exchange shall maintain a deposit of at least two million five hundred thousand dollars in public custody in trust, in part, for the purpose of protecting all of the policyholders of the insurance exchange. Each syndicate of an insurance exchange qualified to transact surplus lines insurance in this state shall file with the director on or before June 1 an annual statement for the preceding year in a form prescribed by the national association of insurance commissioners. The annual statement is in addition to any other document required of the insurance exchange by the director.

F. If the surplus lines broker delivers a certificate in a form prescribed by the director, it is prima facie evidence of the insurer's compliance with the financial requirements of this section. The certificate shall state the names of the public officials or other persons who have supervision over the insurer in any other state and shall certify the amount of capital and surplus that the insurer possesses and the amount of the trust deposit that the insurer maintains, as determined from the records and knowledge of the public officials or other persons, together with any supporting documentation that the director requires. The certifying surplus lines broker of an alien insurer may deliver other evidence acceptable to the director to establish that the alien insurer meets the financial requirements of this section. The certifying surplus lines broker may withdraw the certificate by providing written notice of intent to withdraw to the director and the affected insurer. The withdrawal is not effective until forty-five days after delivery of the notice to all parties. The withdrawal is not grounds for removal from the list pursuant to subsection H if, before the withdrawal becomes effective, another licensed surplus lines broker delivers to the director a replacement certificate based on the qualifying documentation already on file with the department.

G. The director may periodically publish a list of unauthorized insurers that may write surplus lines insurance in this state established on the basis of documentation provided to the director pursuant to this section. The director may mail a copy of the list to each licensed surplus lines broker at the last address on the records of the department. This subsection is not deemed to require the director to determine the actual financial condition or claims practices of any unauthorized insurer, and the appearance of an unauthorized insurer on the list indicates only that the insurer appears to be financially sound and to have satisfactory claims practices. A broker shall restrict all surplus lines business placed by the broker with an unauthorized insurer to those insurers qualified with the director as provided in this section.

H. The director may refuse to add an insurer to the list established pursuant to subsection G or may remove an insurer from that list if the director believes that the insurer:

1. Is in a hazardous financial condition.

2. No longer meets the requirements of this article.

3. Does not have the endorsement of a surplus lines broker pursuant to subsection F.

4. Does not comply with all applicable provisions of this title.

5. Is improperly managed.

6. Is unreliable in insurance transactions.

I. In addition to any other penalty provided by law, if a surplus lines broker's license is revoked for a violation of this section, the director shall not license the broker again within a period of two years thereafter.

J. For the purposes of subsections F, G and H, "insurer" means an unauthorized insurer, Lloyd's association, insurance exchange or syndicate of an insurance exchange.