(A) A domestic title insurer shall establish and maintain a reinsurance reserve computed in accordance with this section, and all sums attributed to the reserve are at all times and for all purposes considered unearned portions of the original premiums. This reserve must be reported as a liability of the title insurer in its financial statements.
(B) The reinsurance reserve must be maintained by the title insurer for the protection of holders of title insurance policies. Except as provided in this section, assets equal in value to the reinsurance reserve are not subject to distribution among creditors or stockholders of the title insurer until all claims of policyholders or claims under reinsurance contracts have been paid in full, and all liability on the policies or reinsurance contracts has been paid in full and discharged or lawfully reinsured.
(C) A foreign or alien title insurer licensed to transact title insurance business in this State shall maintain at least the same reserves on title insurance policies issued on properties located in this State as are required of domestic title insurers, unless the laws of jurisdiction of domicile of the foreign or alien title insurer require a higher amount.
(D) The reinsurance reserve consists of:
(1) the amount of the reinsurance reserve on the effective date of this act; and
(2) one dollar and fifty cents a policy and, in addition, a sum equal to twelve and one-half cents for each one thousand dollars of net retained liability under each title insurance policy on a single risk written on properties located in this State written after the effective date of this act.
(E) Amounts placed in the reinsurance reserve in any year in accordance with subsection (D)(2) of this section must be deducted in determining the net profit of the title insurer for that year.
(F) A title insurer shall release from the reinsurance reserve a sum equal to ten percent of the amount added to the reserve during a calendar year on July first of each of the five years following the year in which the sum was added and shall release from the reinsurance reserve a sum equal to three and one-third percent of the amount added to the reserve during that year on each succeeding July first until the entire amount for that year has been released. The amount of the reinsurance reserve or similar unearned premium reserve maintained before the effective date of this act must be released in accordance with the law in effect before the effective date of this act.
HISTORY: 1988 Act No. 562.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 75 - Property, Casualty, And Title Insurance Generally
Section 38-75-40. Validity of additional or coinsurance clause.
Section 38-75-50. Clause limiting or invalidating policies if property is encumbered is void.
Section 38-75-60. Cause of action by insurer against tenant.
Section 38-75-220. Restrictions on amount of insurance that may be written.
Section 38-75-230. Information required on contracts for purchase of mobile homes.
Section 38-75-310. Definitions.
Section 38-75-320. Declaration of purpose.
Section 38-75-330. South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association created; members.
Section 38-75-340. Plan of operation.
Section 38-75-350. Application for coverage; issuance of policy.
Section 38-75-360. Powers of Association.
Section 38-75-370. Duties of members of Association; limitation on liability.
Section 38-75-380. Liability for inspections and statements concerning risk.
Section 38-75-385. Liability for acts or omissions under this article.
Section 38-75-386. Essential property insurance; liability for acts and omissions.
Section 38-75-390. Cession of essential property insurance to Association.
Section 38-75-410. Appeals; hearings upon appeal.
Section 38-75-420. Reports of inspection by Association.
Section 38-75-440. Examination into affairs of Association.
Section 38-75-450. Regulations.
Section 38-75-470. Appointment of advisory committee; duties; membership.
Section 38-75-480. Loss mitigation grant program; establishment; purpose.
Section 38-75-485. South Carolina Hurricane Damage Mitigation Program; grant eligibility and use.
Section 38-75-710. Scope of article.
Section 38-75-720. Definitions.
Section 38-75-740. Restrictions on nonrenewal of policies.
Section 38-75-750. Requirements for renewal of policies.
Section 38-75-755. Notification to applicants or renewing policyholders.
Section 38-75-760. Unlawful practices involving cancellation, nonrenewal, or renewal of policies.
Section 38-75-770. Notice requirements for eligible surplus lines insurers.
Section 38-75-775. Coverage of licensed health care providers.
Section 38-75-790. Nonrenewal of homeowners insurance.
Section 38-75-905. Definitions.
Section 38-75-910. Limitation of risk on title insurance.
Section 38-75-920. Title insurers to maintain reinsurance reserve.
Section 38-75-930. Insolvency of domestic title insurer.
Section 38-75-940. Loss and loss expense reserves.
Section 38-75-950. Obtaining reinsurance.
Section 38-75-960. Financial interest in title insurer or agent.
Section 38-75-970. Premium rates.
Section 38-75-980. Filing of premium rate schedules.
Section 38-75-1000. Restrictions on amount of commission.
Section 38-75-1120. Report on coastal insurance issues.
Section 38-75-1130. Scope of article.
Section 38-75-1150. Separate premium for fire and allied lines coverage.
Section 38-75-1160. Notice requirement prior to cancellation or refusal to renew; exceptions.
Section 38-75-1180. Notice of reasons for cancellation or nonrenewal.
Section 38-75-1190. Immunity from liability absent malice or gross negligence.
Section 38-75-1200. Notice regarding cancellation in application for original issuance of policy.
Section 38-75-1230. Wind and hail exclusions on fire, allied lines, or homeowner's policy.
Section 38-75-1240. Provision to director of underwriting restrictions.