Effective - 28 Aug 2010
375.539. Hazardous operation, discontinuation determination, standards for — issuance of order by director, hearing procedure. — 1. The director of the department of commerce and insurance may deem an insurance company to be in such financial condition that its further transaction of business would be hazardous to policyholders, creditors, and the public, if such company is a property or casualty insurer, or both a property and casualty insurer, which has in force any policy with any single net retained risk larger than ten percent of that company's capital and surplus as of the December thirty-first next preceding.
2. The following standards, either singly or a combination of two or more, may be considered by the director to determine whether the continued operation of any insurer transacting an insurance business in this state might be deemed to be hazardous to its policyholders, creditors, or the general public:
(1) Adverse findings reported in financial condition and market conduct examination reports, audit reports, and actuarial opinions, reports, or summaries;
(2) The National Association of Insurance Commissioners Insurance Regulatory Information System and its other financial analysis solvency tools and reports;
(3) Whether the insurer has made adequate provision, according to presently accepted actuarial standards of practice, for the anticipated cash flows required by the contractual obligations and related expenses of the insurer, when considered in light of the assets held by the insurer with respect to such reserves and related actuarial items including, but not limited to, the investment earnings on such assets, and the considerations anticipated to be received and retained under such policies and contracts;
(4) The ability of an assuming reinsurer to perform and whether the insurer's reinsurance program provides sufficient protection for the insurer's remaining surplus after taking into account the insurer's cash flow and the classes of business written as well as the financial condition of the assuming reinsurer;
(5) Whether the insurer's operating loss in the last twelve-month period or any shorter period of time, including but not limited to net capital gain or loss, change in nonadmitted assets, and cash dividends paid to shareholders, is greater than fifty percent of the insurer's remaining surplus as regards to policyholders in excess of the minimum required;
(6) Whether the insurer's operating loss in the last twelve-month period or any shorter period of time, excluding net capital gains, is greater than twenty percent of the insurer's remaining surplus as regards to policyholders in excess of the minimum required;
(7) Whether a reinsurer, obligor, or any entity within the insurer's insurance holding company system, is insolvent, threatened with insolvency or delinquent in payment of its monetary or other obligations, and which in the opinion of the director may affect the solvency of the insurer;
(8) Contingent liabilities, pledges, or guaranties which either individually or collectively involve a total amount which in the opinion of the director may affect the solvency of the insurer;
(9) Whether any controlling person of an insurer is delinquent in the transmitting to, or payment of, net premiums to the insurer. As used in this subdivision, the term "controlling" shall have the same meaning assigned to it in subdivision (2) of section 382.010;
(10) The age and collectibility of receivables;
(11) Whether the management of an insurer, including officers, directors, or any other person who directly or indirectly controls the operation of the insurer, fails to possess and demonstrate the competence, fitness, and reputation deemed necessary to serve the insurer in such position;
(12) Whether management of an insurer has failed to respond to inquiries relative to the condition of the insurer or has furnished false and misleading information concerning an inquiry;
(13) Whether the insurer has failed to meet financial and holding company filing requirements in the absence of a reason satisfactory to the director;
(14) Whether management of an insurer either has filed any false or misleading sworn financial statement, or has released false or misleading financial statement to lending institutions or to the general public, or has made a false or misleading entry, or has omitted an entry of material amount in the books of the insurer;
(15) Whether the insurer has grown so rapidly and to such an extent that it lacks adequate financial and administrative capacity to meet its obligations in a timely manner;
(16) Whether the insurer has experienced or will experience in the foreseeable future cash flow or liquidity problems;
(17) Whether management has established reserves that do not comply with minimum standards established by state insurance laws, regulations, statutory accounting standards, sound actuarial principles and standards of practice;
(18) Whether management persistently engages in material underreserving that results in adverse development;
(19) Whether transactions among affiliates, subsidiaries, or controlling persons for which the insurer receives assets or capital gains, or both, do not provide sufficient value, liquidity, or diversity to assure the insurer's ability to meet its outstanding obligations as they mature;
(20) Any other finding determined by the director to be hazardous to the insurer's policyholders, creditors, or general public.
3. For the purposes of making a determination of an insurer's financial condition under this section, the director may:
(1) Disregard any credit or amount receivable resulting from transactions with a reinsurer that is insolvent, impaired, or otherwise subject to a delinquency proceeding;
(2) Make appropriate adjustments including disallowance to asset values attributable to investments in or transactions with parents, subsidiaries, or affiliates consistent with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Accounting Policies and Procedures Manual, state laws and regulations;
(3) Refuse to recognize the stated value of accounts receivable if the ability to collect receivables is highly speculative in view of the age of the account or the financial condition of the debtor;
(4) Increase the insurer's liability in an amount equal to any contingent liability, pledge, or guarantee not otherwise included if there is a substantial risk that the insurer will be called upon to meet the obligation undertaken within the next twelve-month period.
4. If the director determines that the continued operation of the insurer licensed to transact business in this state may be hazardous to its policyholders, creditors, or the general public, then the director may, to the extent authorized by law and in accordance with any procedures required by law, issue an order requiring the insurer to:
(1) Reduce the total amount of present and potential liability for policy benefits by reinsurance;
(2) Reduce, suspend, or limit the volume of business being accepted or renewed;
(3) Reduce general insurance and commission expenses by specified methods;
(4) Increase the insurer's capital and surplus;
(5) Suspend or limit the declaration and payment of dividend by an insurer to its stockholders or to its policyholders;
(6) File reports in a form acceptable to the director concerning the market value of an insurer's assets;
(7) Limit or withdraw from certain investments or discontinue certain investment practices to the extent the director deems necessary;
(8) Document the adequacy of premium rates in relation to the risks insured;
(9) File, in addition to regular annual statements, interim financial reports on the form adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or in such format as promulgated by the director;
(10) Correct corporate governance practice deficiencies, and adopt and utilize governance practices acceptable to the director;
(11) Provide a business plan to the director in order to continue to transact business in the state;
(12) Notwithstanding any other provision of law limiting the frequency or amount of premium rate adjustments, adjust rates for any nonlife insurance product written by the insurer that the director considers necessary to improve the financial condition of the insurer.
5. An insurer subject to an order under subsection 4 of this section may request a hearing before the director in accordance with the provisions of chapter 536. The notice of hearing shall be served upon the insurer pursuant to section 536.067. The notice of hearing shall state the time and place of hearing and the conduct, condition, or ground upon which the director based the order. Unless mutually agreed between the director and the insurer, the hearing shall occur not less than ten days nor more than thirty days after notice is served and shall be either in Cole County or in some other place convenient to the parties designated by the director. The director shall hold all hearings under this subsection privately, unless the insurer requests a public hearing, in which case the hearing shall be public.
6. This section shall not be interpreted to limit the powers granted the director by any laws or parts of laws of this state, nor shall this section be interpreted to supercede any laws or parts of laws of this state, except that if the insurer is a foreign insurer, the director's order under subsection 4 of this section may be limited to the extent expressly provided by any laws or parts of laws of this state.
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(L. 2010 S.B. 583)
Structure Missouri Revised Statutes
Title XXIV - Business and Financial Institutions
Chapter 375 - Provisions Applicable to All Insurance Companies
Section 375.001 - Definitions.
Section 375.002 - Grounds for cancellation.
Section 375.003 - Notice of cancellation, how given — reinstatement, when.
Section 375.004 - Refusal to renew, when authorized — exemption, when.
Section 375.005 - Proof of notice, how made.
Section 375.006 - Immunity from liability granted, when, to whom.
Section 375.007 - Cancellation or refusal to issue policy on certain grounds prohibited, exceptions.
Section 375.008 - Certain insurers exempt.
Section 375.012 - Definitions.
Section 375.013 - Promulgation of rules, generally, this chapter.
Section 375.015 - Application for licensure, insurance producers.
Section 375.016 - Examination required for insurance producer's license.
Section 375.017 - Nonresident producer's license.
Section 375.025 - Temporary license — to whom issued.
Section 375.030 - Continuing education, programs approved for another profession.
Section 375.031 - Definitions.
Section 375.033 - Termination of contract, notice — agent not to do business.
Section 375.035 - Renewal after termination of producer's contract.
Section 375.037 - Director's investigation — appeal.
Section 375.046 - Who deemed agent of unauthorized company.
Section 375.051 - Producer held as trustee of money collected.
Section 375.052 - Additional incidental fees — disclosure to applicant or insured.
Section 375.071 - Centralized producer license registry, participation in.
Section 375.076 - No consideration for unlicensed persons.
Section 375.106 - Insurance producers, limitations on negotiated contracts.
Section 375.141 - Suspension, revocation, refusal of license — grounds — procedure.
Section 375.143 - Rulemaking authority.
Section 375.145 - Violations, penalties.
Section 375.146 - Violation, penalty.
Section 375.151 - Acts of managing general agent acts of insurer.
Section 375.152 - Violations, penalties.
Section 375.153 - Managing general agent, director's authority to promulgate rules.
Section 375.161 - Certificate to do business — when terminated.
Section 375.166 - Expense of organization limited.
Section 375.169 - Violation of section 375.166 a misdemeanor, penalty.
Section 375.176 - Proceedings against promoters.
Section 375.181 - Officers required of companies.
Section 375.186 - Seal and bylaws.
Section 375.191 - Voting by proxy.
Section 375.196 - Adoption of same or misleadingly similar name prohibited.
Section 375.198 - Issuance of shares, regulations concerning.
Section 375.201 - Charter, amendment of, procedure for.
Section 375.221 - Certificate of amendment of articles, how executed, contents.
Section 375.231 - Reduction of capital stock where same has not been fully subscribed.
Section 375.236 - Certificate of authority revoked, when.
Section 375.246 - Reinsurance, when allowed as an asset or reduction from liability.
Section 375.251 - Actions by and against companies.
Section 375.256 - Service of process on companies not authorized to do business in this state.
Section 375.261 - Service of process — procedure.
Section 375.266 - Service of process valid, when.
Section 375.271 - Plaintiff entitled to default judgment, when.
Section 375.281 - Company to furnish bond or certificate of authority before pleading.
Section 375.286 - Postponement of action permitted, when.
Section 375.291 - Company may file motion to quash service — grounds.
Section 375.296 - Additional damages for vexatious refusal to pay.
Section 375.298 - Loan against policy by policyholder, insurer to give notice of interest due.
Section 375.301 - Exemptions from provisions of sections 375.256 to 375.301.
Section 375.320 - Not to trade — exception.
Section 375.325 - Mechanical data processing equipment as assets.
Section 375.326 - Automobiles as assets.
Section 375.330 - Purchase and ownership of real estate.
Section 375.340 - Sale and exchange of real estate.
Section 375.345 - Derivative transactions permitted, conditions — definitions — rules.
Section 375.360 - Note not considered payment — not to loan when insolvent.
Section 375.370 - Collateral to be assigned to company.
Section 375.380 - Dividends shall not be paid, when — penalty — liability of stockholder.
Section 375.390 - Officers not to use funds for private gain — penalty.
Section 375.400 - Investigation by director — duty of prosecuting attorney.
Section 375.410 - Penalty for violation.
Section 375.420 - Vexatious refusal to pay claim, damages for, exception.
Section 375.422 - Directors and officers of stock companies to report ownership.
Section 375.425 - Provisions of 375.423 and 375.424 not to apply, when — equity security defined.
Section 375.426 - Director to make rules and regulations.
Section 375.430 - Certificate revoked if judgment not satisfied.
Section 375.440 - Revocation of license for failure to comply with judicial decree.
Section 375.445 - Company operating fraudulently or in bad faith, penalties.
Section 375.460 - Director to keep deposits — rights of companies.
Section 375.470 - Penalty for violations by director.
Section 375.480 - Withdrawal of securities — notice — examination by director.
Section 375.490 - Payment of judgments out of deposits.
Section 375.500 - Distribution of assets.
Section 375.510 - Reinsurance — rights and liabilities — insolvency.
Section 375.520 - Costs to be paid from deposits — amount.
Section 375.530 - Accounting among beneficiaries of foreign deposits.
Section 375.532 - Investment in debt of institution permitted, when.
Section 375.570 - Manner of commencing proceedings — petition, contents.
Section 375.580 - Issuance, service and return of process.
Section 375.610 - Hearing by the court, procedures — no continuances or discovery, exceptions.
Section 375.620 - Referee or master to hear and report — exceptions, filed by either party.
Section 375.640 - Insurance director to take charge.
Section 375.660 - Disposition of assets.
Section 375.670 - Allowance of demands — receiver to review claims against receivership.
Section 375.710 - Conflict of interests — power of court — trustees.
Section 375.720 - Penalty for failure or refusal to deliver assets to director.
Section 375.740 - Payment of expenses of proceedings.
Section 375.750 - Reports to court — payment of claims.
Section 375.771 - Citation of law.
Section 375.772 - Association, created — definitions.
Section 375.773 - Accounts, types of insurance — applicability of law.
Section 375.775 - Association, powers and duties.
Section 375.776 - Board of directors, selection, terms — powers and duties.
Section 375.777 - Director, powers and duties.
Section 375.780 - Penalties for violation of this chapter.
Section 375.787 - Complaint filed by director, when — injunction authorized.
Section 375.788 - Transaction of insurance business by unauthorized insurer, effect of.
Section 375.790 - Enforcement — foreign decree, qualified party, reciprocal states, defined.
Section 375.791 - Foreign insurance company admitted, when.
Section 375.811 - Application for certificate of authority, contents (foreign company).
Section 375.821 - Conditions to be met for certificate of authority (foreign company).
Section 375.831 - Certificate issued when all conditions met (foreign company).
Section 375.861 - Foreign company survivor of merger, documents to be filed with director.
Section 375.871 - Admitted foreign company may withdraw, how.
Section 375.881 - Revocation or suspension of certificate of authority, when (foreign company).
Section 375.901 - Foreign companies shall transact business through licensed agents and brokers.
Section 375.906 - Foreign companies to appoint director to receive service — methods — penalty.
Section 375.911 - Service on deputy director valid, when.
Section 375.920 - Policy form approval, disapproval — procedure.
Section 375.921 - Hearing on disapproval — action pending, effect on form.
Section 375.922 - Rules and regulations not authorized.
Section 375.923 - Exempt forms.
Section 375.930 - Citation of law — purpose — construction.
Section 375.932 - Definitions.
Section 375.934 - Unfair trade practices — conditions.
Section 375.936 - Unfair practices defined.
Section 375.937 - Lenders, duties — prohibited acts.
Section 375.938 - Director may investigate companies.
Section 375.940 - Procedure on charges or belief of unfair practices.
Section 375.942 - Administrative order for prohibited practices — penalty.
Section 375.944 - Judicial review — decree, order — additional evidence — finality of order, when.
Section 375.945 - Director's determination, judicial review.
Section 375.946 - Violation of desist order, penalty.
Section 375.948 - Additional powers of director — promulgation of rules.
Section 375.950 - Definitions.
Section 375.958 - Ancillary receiver, appointed when, entitled to what property, duties.
Section 375.970 - Preferred claims, how determined.
Section 375.974 - Owners of special deposit claims, priority.
Section 375.982 - Limitation on bringing proceedings, certain liens void.
Section 375.986 - Receiver in reciprocal state may sue.
Section 375.990 - Severability clause — interpretation of sections 375.950 to 375.990.
Section 375.992 - Fraudulent claims for benefits — form — notice to department, when — procedure.
Section 375.995 - Sex or marital status discrimination as to benefits or coverage prohibited.
Section 375.1000 - Citation — purpose — construction.
Section 375.1002 - Definitions.
Section 375.1005 - Improper claims practice, conditions.
Section 375.1007 - Improper claims practices.
Section 375.1009 - Director may investigate.
Section 375.1010 - Director may initiate proceedings.
Section 375.1014 - Judicial review.
Section 375.1016 - Violation of cease and desist order.
Section 375.1018 - Director's powers additional to others — rules and regulations.
Section 375.1025 - Definitions.
Section 375.1028 - Applicability — exemptions.
Section 375.1032 - Audited financial report, contents — form.
Section 375.1040 - Accountant's letter, contents.
Section 375.1042 - Audit of financial statement by independent accountant.
Section 375.1045 - Report of findings of accountant to insurer, contents.
Section 375.1050 - Workpapers, defined — availability to insurance examiners — confidentiality of.
Section 375.1054 - Prohibited acts — violation, penalty.
Section 375.1056 - Report required by insurer, when, contents.
Section 375.1057 - Canadian and British insurers, special requirements.
Section 375.1058 - Internal audit function — exemption, when — requirements.
Section 375.1062 - Severability.
Section 375.1070 - Inapplicability to certain insurers.
Section 375.1072 - Definitions.
Section 375.1074 - Limitation on investments, domestic insurers.
Section 375.1075 - Limitations on aggregate of medium or lower quality investments, requirements.
Section 375.1078 - Limitation on Canadian investments.
Section 375.1080 - Definitions.
Section 375.1090 - Purchasing group subject to insurance laws, exceptions.
Section 375.1095 - Insurance purchased by purchasing group, requirements.
Section 375.1097 - Premium taxes, payment of.
Section 375.1100 - Powers of director.
Section 375.1110 - Citation of law.
Section 375.1112 - Definitions.
Section 375.1120 - Records to be maintained by broker, duration — contents.
Section 375.1122 - Insurer's use of broker, restrictions — financial condition statement required.
Section 375.1127 - Reinsurance manager, prohibited acts.
Section 375.1130 - Insurer's use of manager, restrictions — financial condition statement required.
Section 375.1132 - Examination of reinsurance manager, director may conduct.
Section 375.1135 - Penalties, director may assess, procedures.
Section 375.1137 - Application fee, reinsurance intermediary license — renewal.
Section 375.1140 - Effective date.
Section 375.1150 - Citation of law — applicability.
Section 375.1152 - Definitions.
Section 375.1156 - Cooperation with receiver and director required — penalty.
Section 375.1161 - Violations, penalties.
Section 375.1162 - Director may order activities to prevent delinquency proceeding.
Section 375.1164 - Seizure order, director may petition for, when — effects.
Section 375.1165 - Rehabilitation of insurer, director may petition, when — grounds.
Section 375.1170 - Stay of other pending actions, duration — statute of limitations not to run.
Section 375.1172 - Records deemed public, when — exceptions.
Section 375.1175 - Grounds for liquidation — voluntary dissolution and liquidation, conditions.
Section 375.1178 - Life and health policies, termination of, when.
Section 375.1180 - Dissolution order, director may petition for — effect.
Section 375.1185 - Notices provided by liquidator, procedures.
Section 375.1186 - Agent of insurer, duty to provide information to liquidator — penalty.
Section 375.1188 - Stay of other actions — liquidator may bring certain actions, when.
Section 375.1190 - List of insurer's assets to be prepared — filing — not needed, when.
Section 375.1192 - Fraudulent and voidable transfers — requirements — effects.
Section 375.1194 - Transfer of real property not voidable, when.
Section 375.1196 - Claims of creditor, surrender of preference required.
Section 375.1198 - Mutual credits or debts, setoffs allowed — exceptions.
Section 375.1204 - Payment of unearned premiums required — violation, penalties.
Section 375.1206 - Proof of claim, filed when — effect of late filing.
Section 375.1210 - Contingent claims, allowed when, exceptions.
Section 375.1212 - Third party claims for actions against insureds, filed how — procedures.
Section 375.1214 - Denial of claim — appeal procedure.
Section 375.1215 - Subrogated claim, allowed when.
Section 375.1216 - Valuation of security, procedure.
Section 375.1218 - Classes of claims — priority of distribution.
Section 375.1222 - Payment of claims — duties of liquidator.
Section 375.1224 - Unclaimed funds, deemed unclaimed property — effect.
Section 375.1225 - Discharge of liquidator, when.
Section 375.1226 - Reopening of proceedings, when.
Section 375.1228 - Records may be destroyed after discharge, exceptions.
Section 375.1230 - Audit of receivership may be ordered, when.
Section 375.1234 - Foreign insurers, petition to liquidate assets, grounds — granted when — effects.
Section 375.1236 - Ancillary receiver, director may be appointed as — powers and duties.
Section 375.1238 - Power of director to institute proceedings, when.
Section 375.1240 - Nonresident claims, filed where.
Section 375.1242 - Proof of claims, nonresident insurer — procedures.
Section 375.1244 - Stay of actions during liquidation proceedings.
Section 375.1245 - Priority of nonresident claims, reciprocal states — special deposits, priority.
Section 375.1246 - Nonresident ancillary receiver, claims filed with — priority.
Section 375.1250 - Definitions.
Section 375.1260 - Authorized control level event, occurrence of, when — effect, duties of director.
Section 375.1262 - Mandatory control level event, occurrence of, when — effect, duties of director.
Section 375.1272 - Notices, effective when.
Section 375.1280 - Scope of law.
Section 375.1282 - Application of law — not applicable, when.
Section 375.1285 - Definitions.
Section 375.1292 - Consent to transfer, effect.
Section 375.1294 - Hazardous financial condition of transferring insurer, automatic transfer, when.
Section 375.1295 - Effective date — application dates.
Section 375.1300 - Definitions.
Section 375.1303 - Genetic testing by insurer, limitations — penalty — health plan, defined.
Section 375.1306 - Genetic information, prohibited uses by employers — penalty for violation.
Section 375.1309 - Confidentiality of genetic information, exceptions — penalty for violation.
Section 375.1500 - Sections 375.1500 to 375.1527 apply to life insurance policies, exceptions.
Section 375.1503 - Definitions.
Section 375.1512 - Basic illustration, requirements, contents.
Section 375.1515 - Supplemental illustrations permitted, when — notice required.
Section 375.1521 - Annual report to policy owner, contents.
Section 375.1524 - Illustration actuaries, qualifications, duties — annual certification.
Section 375.1527 - Violation of sections 375.1500 to 375.1527, penalties.
Section 375.1530 - Application of sections 375.1500 to 375.1527.
Section 375.1575 - Denial of claim, disclosure by applicant not required.
Section 375.1730 - Costs of coverage reported to department — rates.
Section 375.1800 - Residency of insurance companies, domestic and foreign.
Section 375.1803 - Court actions against insurance company, venue where — inapplicability, when.
Section 375.1806 - Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, venue, where.