Subdivision 1. Insurers to be recognized by commissioner. A surplus lines broker shall place nonadmitted insurance only with insurers which are in a stable and unimpaired financial condition. An insurer recognized by the commissioner as an eligible surplus lines insurer pursuant to subdivision 2 shall be considered to meet the requirements of this subdivision. Recognition as an eligible surplus lines insurer shall be conditioned upon the insurers continued compliance with sections 60A.195 to 60A.209.
Subd. 2. Application for recognition. An insurer not otherwise licensed to engage in the business of insurance in Minnesota may apply for recognition as an eligible surplus lines insurer by filing an application in the form and with the information as reasonably required by the commissioner regarding the insurer's financial stability, reputation, integrity and operating plans, accompanied by a license fee of $500. The commissioner may delegate to an association the power to process and make recommendations on applications for recognition as an eligible surplus lines insurer. Notwithstanding delegation by the commissioner, an applicant may file an application directly with the commissioner.
Subd. 3. Standards to be met by insurers. (a) The commissioner shall recognize the insurer as an eligible surplus lines insurer when satisfied that the insurer is in a stable, unimpaired financial condition and that the insurer is qualified to provide coverage in compliance with sections 60A.195 to 60A.209. If filed with full supporting documentation before July 1 of any year, applications submitted under subdivision 2 shall be acted upon by the commissioner before December 31 of the year of submission.
(b) The commissioner shall not authorize a foreign insurer as an eligible surplus lines insurer unless the insurer:
(1) is domiciled within a United States jurisdiction and authorized to write the type of insurance in its domiciliary jurisdiction; and
(2) has capital and surplus or its equivalent under the laws of its domiciliary jurisdiction which equals the greater of:
(i) the minimum capital and surplus requirements under the laws of Minnesota; or
(ii) $15,000,000.
The requirements of item (i) may be satisfied by an insurer's possessing less than the minimum capital and surplus upon an affirmative finding of acceptability by the commissioner. The finding shall be based upon factors such as quality of management, capital and surplus of any parent company, company underwriting profit and investment income trends, market availability, and company record and reputation within the industry. In no event shall the commissioner make an affirmative finding of acceptability when the surplus lines insurer's capital and surplus is less than $4,500,000.
(c) Eligible surplus lines insurers domiciled within the United States shall file an annual statement and an annual financial audit, under the terms and conditions of section 60A.13, subdivisions 1, 3a, and 6, and are subject to the penalties of section 72A.061, and are subject to section 60A.03, subdivision 5, in regard to those requirements. The commissioner also has the powers provided in section 60A.13, subdivision 2, in regard to eligible surplus lines insurers.
(d) Eligible surplus lines insurers domiciled outside the United States shall file an annual statement on the standard nonadmitted insurers information office financial reporting format as prescribed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and an annual financial audit performed by an independent accounting firm. The commissioner shall not prohibit a surplus lines broker from placing nonadmitted insurance with, or procuring nonadmitted insurance from, an alien insurer that is included on the Quarterly Listing of Alien Insurers maintained by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners International Insurers Department.
Subd. 4. Removal of insurers. When the commissioner considers it necessary, the commissioner may request information about or examine the affairs of any eligible surplus lines insurer at the expense of the insurer, to determine whether the insurer should continue to remain on the list of eligible surplus lines insurers. If the commissioner determines that it is in the public interest to remove an insurer from the list because the insurer no longer meets the requirements of sections 60A.195 to 60A.209, or is no longer qualified to provide coverage under sections 60A.195 to 60A.209, the commissioner shall do so. If an insurer removed from the list desires a hearing pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, the hearing shall be scheduled within 30 days following request for the hearing.
Subd. 5. Trust fund to be maintained. Before recognition as an eligible surplus lines insurer in this state, an alien insurer shall maintain a trust fund in the United States in cash, marketable securities, or other substantially equivalent instruments of at least $1,500,000 with a United States bank which is a member of the Federal Reserve System or which is on deposit with regulatory authorities in this or another state for the benefit of all United States policyholders and beneficiaries. A trust fund required under this subdivision shall not have an expiration date which is at any time less than five years in the future, on a continuing basis.
Subd. 6. Alternative means of compliance. Subdivisions 3 and 5 shall not apply to a group including incorporated and unincorporated, individual alien insurers which, in place of the requirements prescribed in subdivisions 3 and 5, maintain assets as provided in subdivision 3 and hold in trust for all policyholders and beneficiaries in the United States not less than $50,000,000 in the aggregate. The incorporated members of the group shall not be engaged in any business other than underwriting as a member of the group and must be subject to the same level of solvency regulation and control by the group's domiciliary regulator as are the unincorporated members.
Subd. 7. Appointment of agent for service of process. Each eligible surplus lines insurer shall appoint the commissioner as its resident agent, for purposes of service of process.
1981 c 221 s 11; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 358 s 95; 1992 c 564 art 1 s 23; 1994 c 426 s 8; 1994 c 485 s 11; 2011 c 108 s 20,21; 2012 c 187 art 1 s 11
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 59A - 79A — Insurance
Chapter 60A — General Insurance Powers
Section 60A.03 — Commissioner Of Commerce.
Section 60A.031 — Examinations.
Section 60A.032 — Commissioner's Orders, Report.
Section 60A.033 — Scheduling Conference And Order.
Section 60A.035 — Government Controlled Or Owned Company Prohibited From Transacting Business.
Section 60A.052 — Certificates Of Authority; Enforcement Actions.
Section 60A.06 — Kinds Of Insurance Permitted.
Section 60A.07 — Authorization And Requirements.
Section 60A.078 — Short Title.
Section 60A.0782 — Definitions.
Section 60A.0783 — Insurable Interest Required.
Section 60A.0784 — Prohibited Practices.
Section 60A.0785 — Prohibition; Entry Into Settlement Contracts.
Section 60A.0786 — Presumption Of Stoli Practices.
Section 60A.0787 — Processing Change Of Ownership Or Beneficiary Requests.
Section 60A.0788 — Fraudulent Acts.
Section 60A.08 — Contracts Of Insurance.
Section 60A.081 — Aircraft Insurance.
Section 60A.0811 — Breach Of Insurance Policy; Recovery Of Interest.
Section 60A.082 — Group Insurance; Benefits Continued If Insurer Changed.
Section 60A.084 — Notification On Group Policies.
Section 60A.085 — Cancellation Of Group Coverage; Notification To Covered Persons.
Section 60A.086 — Retroactive Termination Of Coverage Under Group Policies Prohibited.
Section 60A.09 — Limits Of Risk; Reinsurance.
Section 60A.091 — Definition; Qualified United States Financial Institution.
Section 60A.092 — Reinsurance Credit Allowed A Domestic Ceding Insurer.
Section 60A.0921 — Credit For Reinsurance; Certified Reinsurers.
Section 60A.095 — Reinsurance Agreements Affected.
Section 60A.096 — Qualifying Letter Of Credit.
Section 60A.097 — Qualifying Trust Agreements.
Section 60A.10 — Deposits For Protection Of Policyholders.
Section 60A.11 — Investments Permitted For Domestic Companies.
Section 60A.112 — Investment Policy Required.
Section 60A.12 — Assets And Liabilities.
Section 60A.121 — Valuations; Definitions.
Section 60A.122 — Required Written Procedures For Valuations.
Section 60A.123 — Valuation Procedure.
Section 60A.124 — Independent Audit.
Section 60A.125 — Appraisal By Independent Appraiser.
Section 60A.126 — Reports To Board; Valuations.
Section 60A.127 — Independent Appraisals Of Certain Properties.
Section 60A.1285 — Other Impairments.
Section 60A.1291 — Annual Audit.
Section 60A.1295 — Actuarial Opinion Of Reserves And Supporting Documentation.
Section 60A.1296 — Confidentiality.
Section 60A.13 — Annual Statement, Inquiries, Renewal Licenses.
Section 60A.131 — Other Business And Insurance Interests, Disclosure.
Section 60A.135 — Report; Certain Transactions.
Section 60A.136 — Acquisitions And Dispositions Of Assets.
Section 60A.137 — Nonrenewals, Cancellations, Or Revisions Of Ceded Reinsurance Agreements.
Section 60A.139 — Electronic Notices And Documents.
Section 60A.1391 — Corporate Governance Annual Disclosure.
Section 60A.16 — Mergers And Consolidations.
Section 60A.161 — Insurer Domestication And Conversion.
Section 60A.172 — Insurance Agency Contracts; Cancellation.
Section 60A.173 — Effective Date.
Section 60A.174 — Severability.
Section 60A.175 — Agent Commissions.
Section 60A.1755 — Agent Errors And Omissions Insurance; Choice Of Source.
Section 60A.176 — Definitions.
Section 60A.177 — Involuntary Termination Of An Agent By The Insurer.
Section 60A.178 — Life Or Health Insurance Sales Quotas.
Section 60A.179 — Life Or Health Insurance Sales Quotas For Exclusive Agents.
Section 60A.19 — Foreign Companies.
Section 60A.196 — Definitions.
Section 60A.197 — Rates And Forms.
Section 60A.198 — Transaction Of Nonadmitted Insurance.
Section 60A.199 — Examinations.
Section 60A.201 — Placement Of Insurance By Broker.
Section 60A.202 — Evidence Of Placement Of Insurance By Broker.
Section 60A.203 — Retention Of Records.
Section 60A.204 — Fees And Commissions.
Section 60A.205 — Compensation.
Section 60A.206 — Qualification As Eligible Surplus Lines Insurer.
Section 60A.207 — Policies To Include Notice.
Section 60A.208 — Broker Association.
Section 60A.2085 — Surplus Lines Association Of Minnesota.
Section 60A.2086 — Licensee's Duty To Submit Documents; Penalty.
Section 60A.209 — Insurance Procured From Ineligible Insurers.
Section 60A.2095 — Construction.
Section 60A.21 — Unauthorized Insurers Process Act.
Section 60A.23 — Miscellaneous.
Section 60A.236 — Stop Loss Regulation; Small Employer Coverage.
Section 60A.24 — Exemptions From Insurance Laws Of This State.
Section 60A.25 — Insolvent Companies.
Section 60A.26 — Suspension Of Insurers; Notifications And Reports.
Section 60A.27 — Discipline Of Insurer By Another State; Notice To Commissioner.
Section 60A.28 — Documents Filed With Commissioner, Verification.
Section 60A.29 — Nonprofit Risk Indemnification Trust Act.
Section 60A.315 — Expedited Form And Rate Filing.
Section 60A.32 — Rate Filing For Crop Hail Insurance.
Section 60A.351 — Renewal Of Insurance Policy With Altered Rates.
Section 60A.352 — Workers' Compensation Insurance.
Section 60A.36 — Midterm Cancellation.
Section 60A.38 — Interpretation And Penalties.
Section 60A.39 — Certificates Of Insurance.
Section 60A.41 — Subrogation Against Insureds Prohibited.
Section 60A.42 — Disability Income Coverage; Prohibited Provision.
Section 60A.52 — Company Action Level Event.
Section 60A.53 — Regulatory Action Level Event.
Section 60A.54 — Authorized Control Level Event.
Section 60A.55 — Mandatory Control Level Event.
Section 60A.57 — Access To And Use Of Rbc Information.
Section 60A.58 — Supplemental Provisions.
Section 60A.59 — Foreign Health Organizations.
Section 60A.61 — Risk-based Capital Reports.
Section 60A.62 — Company Action Level Event.
Section 60A.63 — Regulatory Action Level Event.
Section 60A.64 — Authorized Control Level Event.
Section 60A.65 — Mandatory Control Level Event.
Section 60A.67 — Confidentiality.
Section 60A.68 — Supplemental Provisions; Rules; Exemption.
Section 60A.69 — Foreign Insurers.
Section 60A.705 — Definitions.
Section 60A.715 — Required Contract Provisions; Reinsurance Intermediary-brokers.
Section 60A.72 — Books And Records; Reinsurance Intermediary-brokers.
Section 60A.725 — Duties Of Insurers Utilizing The Services Of A Reinsurance Intermediary-broker.
Section 60A.73 — Required Contract Provisions; Reinsurance Intermediary-managers.
Section 60A.735 — Prohibited Acts.
Section 60A.74 — Duties Of Reinsurer Utilizing The Services Of A Reinsurance Intermediary-manager.
Section 60A.745 — Examination Authority; Reinsurance Intermediary - Broker.
Section 60A.76 — Purpose And Scope.
Section 60A.761 — Glossary Of Technical Terms Used.
Section 60A.762 — Categories Of Reserves.
Section 60A.763 — Claim Reserves.
Section 60A.764 — Premium Reserves.
Section 60A.765 — Contract Reserves Required.
Section 60A.766 — Minimum Standards For Contract Reserves.
Section 60A.767 — Reinsurance.
Section 60A.768 — Specific Standards For Morbidity, Interest, And Mortality.
Section 60A.803 — Life And Health Reinsurance Agreements.
Section 60A.91 — Filing Requirements.
Section 60A.93 — Confidentiality.
Section 60A.94 — Revocation Of Certificate Of Authority.
Section 60A.951 — Definitions.
Section 60A.952 — Disclosure Of Information.
Section 60A.953 — Enforcement; Refusal To Cooperate With An Investigation.
Section 60A.954 — Insurance Antifraud Plan.
Section 60A.955 — Claim Forms To Contain Fraud Warning.
Section 60A.956 — Other Law Enforcement Authority.
Section 60A.957 — Definitions.
Section 60A.9572 — License And Bond Requirements.
Section 60A.9573 — License Revocation And Denial.
Section 60A.9574 — Approval Of Viatical Settlement Contracts And Disclosure Statements.
Section 60A.9575 — Reporting Requirements And Privacy.
Section 60A.9577 — Disclosure To Viator.
Section 60A.9579 — General Rules.
Section 60A.9581 — Prohibited Practices And Conflicts Of Interest.
Section 60A.9583 — Fraud Prevention And Control.
Section 60A.9585 — Unfair Trade Practice.
Section 60A.975 — Definitions.
Section 60A.976 — Annuity Issuers Financial Requirements.
Section 60A.985 — Definitions.
Section 60A.9851 — Information Security Program.
Section 60A.9852 — Investigation Of A Cybersecurity Event.
Section 60A.9853 — Notification Of A Cybersecurity Event.
Section 60A.9854 — Power Of Commissioner.
Section 60A.9855 — Confidentiality.
Section 60A.9856 — Exceptions.
Section 60A.9858 — Exclusivity.
Section 60A.99 — Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact.
Section 60A.991 — Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact Opt Out Administration.