Rep. Frank J. Mautino

Filed: 3/27/2014

 

 


 

 


 
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1
AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 3970

2    AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 3970 by replacing
3everything after the enacting clause with the following:
 
4    "Section 5. The Illinois Insurance Code is amended by
5changing Section 173.1 as follows:
 
6    (215 ILCS 5/173.1)  (from Ch. 73, par. 785.1)
7    Sec. 173.1. Credit allowed a domestic ceding insurer.
8    (1) Except as otherwise provided under Article VIII 1/2 of
9this Code and related provisions of the Illinois Administrative
10Code, credit for reinsurance shall be allowed a domestic ceding
11insurer as either an admitted asset or a deduction from
12liability on account of reinsurance ceded only when the
13reinsurer meets the requirements of paragraph (A) subsection
14(1)(A) or (B) or (B-5) or (C) or (C-5) or (D) of this
15subsection (1). Credit shall be allowed under paragraph (A),
16subsection (1)(A) or (B), or (B-5) of this subsection (1) only

 

 

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1as respects cessions of those kinds or classes of business in
2which the assuming insurer is licensed or otherwise permitted
3to write or assume in its state of domicile, or in the case of a
4U.S. branch of an alien assuming insurer, in the state through
5which it is entered and licensed to transact insurance or
6reinsurance. Credit shall be allowed under paragraph (B-5) or
7(C) of this subsection (1) (C) of this Section only if the
8applicable requirements of paragraph (E) of this subsection (1)
9subsection (1)(E) have been satisfied.
10        (A) Credit shall be allowed when the reinsurance is
11    ceded to an assuming insurer that is authorized in this
12    State to transact the types of insurance ceded and has at
13    least $5,000,000 in capital and surplus.
14        (B) Credit shall be allowed when the reinsurance is
15    ceded to an assuming insurer that is accredited as a
16    reinsurer in this State. An accredited reinsurer is one
17    that:
18            (1) files with the Director evidence of its
19        submission to this State's jurisdiction;
20            (2) submits to this State's authority to examine
21        its books and records;
22            (3) is licensed to transact insurance or
23        reinsurance in at least one state, or in the case of a
24        U.S. branch of an alien assuming insurer is entered
25        through and licensed to transact insurance or
26        reinsurance in at least one state;

 

 

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1            (4) files annually with the Director a copy of its
2        annual statement filed with the insurance department
3        of its state of domicile and a copy of its most recent
4        audited financial statement; and
5            (5) maintains a surplus as regards policyholders
6        in an amount that is not less than $20,000,000 and
7        whose accreditation has been approved by the Director.
8        No credit shall be allowed a domestic ceding insurer,
9        if the assuming insurers' accreditation has been
10        revoked by the Director after notice and hearing.
11        (B-5)(1) Credit shall be allowed when the reinsurance
12        is ceded to an assuming insurer that is domiciled in,
13        or in the case of a U.S. branch of an alien assuming
14        insurer is entered through, a state that employs
15        standards regarding credit for reinsurance
16        substantially similar to those applicable under this
17        Code and the assuming insurer or U.S. branch of an
18        alien assuming insurer:
19                (a) maintains a surplus as regards
20            policyholders in an amount not less than
21            $20,000,000; and
22                (b) submits to the authority of this State to
23            examine its books and records.
24            (2) The requirement of item (a) of subparagraph (1)
25        of paragraph (B-5) of this subsection (1) does not
26        apply to reinsurance ceded and assumed pursuant to

 

 

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1        pooling arrangements among insurers in the same
2        holding company system.
3        (C)(1) Credit shall be allowed when the reinsurance is
4        ceded to an assuming insurer that maintains a trust
5        fund in a qualified United States financial
6        institution, as defined in paragraph (B) of subsection
7        (3) of this Section subsection 3(B), for the payment of
8        the valid claims of its United States policyholders and
9        ceding insurers, their assigns and successors in
10        interest. The assuming insurer shall report to the
11        Director information substantially the same as that
12        required to be reported on the NAIC annual and
13        quarterly financial statement by authorized insurers
14        and any other financial information that the Director
15        deems necessary to determine the financial condition
16        of the assuming insurer and the sufficiency of the
17        trust fund. The assuming insurer shall provide or make
18        the information available to the ceding insurer. The
19        assuming insurer may decline to release trade secrets
20        or commercially sensitive information that would
21        qualify as exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of
22        Information Act. The Director shall also make the
23        information publicly available, subject only to such
24        reasonable objections as might be raised to a request
25        pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, as
26        determined by the Director. The assuming insurer shall

 

 

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1        submit to examination of its books and records by the
2        Director and bear the expense of examination.
3            (2)(a) Credit for reinsurance shall not be granted
4        under this subsection unless the form of the trust and
5        any amendments to the trust have been approved by:
6                (i) the regulatory official of the state where
7            the trust is domiciled; or
8                (ii) the regulatory official of another state
9            who, pursuant to the terms of the trust instrument,
10            has accepted principal regulatory oversight of the
11            trust.
12            (b) The form of the trust and any trust amendments
13        also shall be filed with the regulatory official of
14        every state in which the ceding insurer beneficiaries
15        of the trust are domiciled. The trust instrument shall
16        provide that contested claims shall be valid and
17        enforceable upon the final order of any court of
18        competent jurisdiction in the United States. The trust
19        shall vest legal title to its assets in its trustees
20        for the benefit of the assuming insurer's United States
21        policyholders and ceding insurees and their assigns
22        and successors in interest. The trust and the assuming
23        insurer shall be subject to examination as determined
24        by the Director.
25            (c) The trust shall remain in effect for as long as
26        the assuming insurer has outstanding obligations due

 

 

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1        under the reinsurance agreements subject to the trust.
2        No later than February 28 of each year the trustee of
3        the trust shall report to the Director in writing the
4        balance of the trust and a list of the trust's
5        investments at the preceding year-end and shall
6        certify the date of termination of the trust, if so
7        planned, or certify that the trust will not expire
8        prior to the next following December 31.
9            Not later than February 28 of each year, the
10        assuming insurer's chief executive officer or chief
11        financial officer shall certify to the Director that
12        the trust fund contains funds in an amount not less
13        than the assuming insurer's liabilities (as reported
14        to the assuming insurer by its cedants) attributable to
15        reinsurance ceded by U.S. ceding insurers, and in
16        addition, a trusteed surplus of not less than
17        $20,000,000. In the event that item (a-5) of
18        subparagraph (3) of this paragraph (C) applies to the
19        trust, the assuming insurer's chief executive officer
20        or chief financial officer shall then certify to the
21        Director that the trust fund contains funds in an
22        amount not less than the assuming insurer's
23        liabilities (as reported to the assuming insurer by its
24        cedants) attributable to reinsurance ceded by U.S.
25        ceding insurers and, in addition, a reduced trusteed
26        surplus of not less than the amount that has been

 

 

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1        authorized by the regulatory authority having
2        principal regulatory oversight of the trust.
3            (d) No later than February 28 of each year, an
4        assuming insurer that maintains a trust fund in
5        accordance with paragraph (C) of this subsection (1)
6        shall provide or make available, if requested by a
7        beneficiary under the trust fund, the following
8        information to the assuming insurer's U.S. ceding
9        insurers or their assigns and successors in interest:
10                (i) a copy of the form of the trust agreement
11            and any trust amendments to the trust agreement
12            pertaining to the trust fund;
13                (ii) a copy of the annual and quarterly
14            financial information, and its most recent audited
15            financial statement provided to the Director by
16            the assuming insurer, including any exhibits and
17            schedules thereto;
18                (iii) any financial information provided to
19            the Director by the assuming insurer that the
20            Director has deemed necessary to determine the
21            financial condition of the assuming insurer and
22            the sufficiency of the trust fund;
23                (iv) a copy of any annual and quarterly
24            financial information provided to the Director by
25            the trustee of the trust fund maintained by the
26            assuming insurer, including any exhibits and

 

 

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1            schedules thereto;
2                (v) a copy of the information required to be
3            reported by the trustee of the trust to the
4            Director under the provisions of paragraph (C) of
5            this subsection (1); and
6                (vi) a written certification that the trust
7            fund consists of funds in trust in an amount not
8            less than the assuming insurer's liabilities
9            attributable to reinsurance liabilities (as
10            reported to the assuming insurer by its cedants)
11            attributable to reinsurance ceded by U.S. ceding
12            insurers and, in addition, a trusteed surplus of
13            not less than $20,000.000.
14            (3) The following requirements apply to the
15        following categories of assuming insurer:
16                (a) The trust fund for a single assuming
17            insurer shall consist of funds in trust in an
18            amount not less than the assuming insurer's
19            liabilities attributable to reinsurance ceded by
20            U.S. ceding insurers, and in addition, the
21            assuming insurer shall maintain a trusteed surplus
22            of not less than $20,000,000, except as provided in
23            item (a-5) of subparagraph (3) of this paragraph
24            (C).
25                (a-5) At any time after the assuming insurer
26            has permanently discontinued underwriting new

 

 

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1            business secured by the trust for at least 3 full
2            years, the Director with principal regulatory
3            oversight of the trust may authorize a reduction in
4            the required trusteed surplus, but only after a
5            finding, based on an assessment of the risk, that
6            the new required surplus level is adequate for the
7            protection of U.S. ceding insurers, policyholders,
8            and claimants in light of reasonably foreseeable
9            adverse loss development. The risk assessment may
10            involve an actuarial review, including an
11            independent analysis of reserves and cash flows,
12            and shall consider all material risk factors,
13            including, when applicable, the lines of business
14            involved, the stability of the incurred loss
15            estimates, and the effect of the surplus
16            requirements on the assuming insurer's liquidity
17            or solvency. The minimum required trusteed surplus
18            may not be reduced to an amount less than 30% of
19            the assuming insurer's liabilities attributable to
20            reinsurance ceded by U.S. ceding insurers covered
21            by the trust.
22                (b)(i) In the case of a group including
23            incorporated and individual unincorporated
24            underwriters:
25                    (I) for reinsurance ceded under
26                reinsurance agreements with an inception,

 

 

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1                amendment, or renewal date on or after January
2                1, 1993 August 1, 1995, the trust shall consist
3                of a trusteed account in an amount not less
4                than the respective underwriters' group's
5                several liabilities attributable to business
6                ceded by U.S. domiciled ceding insurers to any
7                member of the group;
8                    (II) for reinsurance ceded under
9                reinsurance agreements with an inception date
10                on or before December 31, 1992 July 31, 1995
11                and not amended or renewed after that date,
12                notwithstanding the other provisions of this
13                Act, the trust shall consist of a trusteed
14                account in an amount not less than the group's
15                several insurance and reinsurance liabilities
16                attributable to business written in the United
17                States; and
18                    (III) in addition to these trusts, the
19                group shall maintain in trust a trusteed
20                surplus of which not less than $100,000,000
21                shall be held jointly for the benefit of the
22                U.S. domiciled ceding insurers of any member of
23                the group for all years of account.
24                (ii) The incorporated members of the group
25            shall not be engaged in any business other than
26            underwriting as a member of the group and shall be

 

 

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1            subject to the same level of solvency regulation
2            and control by the group's domiciliary regulator
3            as are the unincorporated members.
4                (iii) Within 90 days after its financial
5            statements are due to be filed with the group's
6            domiciliary regulator, the group shall provide to
7            the Director an annual certification by the
8            group's domiciliary regulator of the solvency of
9            each underwriter member, or if a certification is
10            unavailable, financial statements prepared by
11            independent public accountants of each underwriter
12            member of the group.
13                (c) In the case of a group of incorporated
14            insurers under common administration, the group
15            shall:
16                    (i) have continuously transacted an
17                insurance business outside the United States
18                for at least 3 years immediately before making
19                application for accreditation;
20                    (ii) maintain aggregate policyholders'
21                surplus of not less than $10,000,000,000;
22                    (iii) maintain a trust in an amount not
23                less than the group's several liabilities
24                attributable to business ceded by United
25                States domiciled ceding insurers to any member
26                of the group pursuant to reinsurance contracts

 

 

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1                issued in the name of the group;
2                    (iv) in addition, maintain a joint
3                trusteed surplus of which not less than
4                $100,000,000 shall be held jointly for the
5                benefit of the United States ceding insurers of
6                any member of the group as additional security
7                for these liabilities; and
8                    (v) within 90 days after its financial
9                statements are due to be filed with the group's
10                domiciliary regulator, make available to the
11                Director an annual certification of each
12                underwriter member's solvency by the member's
13                domiciliary regulator and financial statements
14                of each underwriter member of the group
15                prepared by its independent public accountant.
16        (C-5) Credit shall be allowed when the reinsurance is
17    ceded to an assuming insurer that has been certified by the
18    Director as a reinsurer in this State and secures its
19    obligations in accordance with the requirements of this
20    paragraph (C-5).
21            (1) In order to be eligible for certification, the
22        assuming insurer shall meet the following
23        requirements:
24                (a) the assuming insurer must be domiciled and
25            licensed to transact insurance or reinsurance in a
26            qualified jurisdiction, as determined by the

 

 

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1            Director pursuant to subparagraph (3) of this
2            paragraph (C-5);
3                (b) the assuming insurer must maintain minimum
4            capital and surplus, or its equivalent, in an
5            amount not less than $250,000,000 or such greater
6            amount as determined by the Director pursuant to
7            regulation;
8                (c) the assuming insurer must maintain
9            financial strength ratings from 2 or more rating
10            agencies deemed acceptable by the Director;
11                (d) the assuming insurer must agree to submit
12            to the jurisdiction of this State, appoint the
13            Director as its agent for service of process in
14            this State, and agree to provide security for 100%
15            of the assuming insurer's liabilities attributable
16            to reinsurance ceded by U.S. ceding insurers if it
17            resists enforcement of a final U.S. judgment; and
18                (e) the assuming insurer must agree to meet
19            applicable information filing requirements as
20            determined by the Director, both with respect to an
21            initial application for certification and on an
22            ongoing basis.
23            (2) An association, including incorporated and
24        individual unincorporated underwriters, may be a
25        certified reinsurer. In order to be eligible for
26        certification, in addition to satisfying the

 

 

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1        requirements of subparagraph (1) of this paragraph
2        (C-5):
3                (a) the association shall satisfy its minimum
4            capital and surplus requirements through the
5            capital and surplus equivalents (net of
6            liabilities) of the association and its members,
7            which shall include a joint central fund that may
8            be applied to any unsatisfied obligation of the
9            association or any of its members, in an amount
10            determined pursuant to the Department's rules to
11            provide adequate protection;
12                (b) the incorporated members of the
13            association shall not be engaged in any business
14            other than underwriting as a member of the
15            association and shall be subject to the same level
16            of regulation and solvency control by the
17            association's domiciliary regulator as are the
18            unincorporated members; and
19                (c) within 90 days after its financial
20            statements are due to be filed with the
21            association's domiciliary regulator, the
22            association shall provide to the Director an
23            annual certification by the association's
24            domiciliary regulator of the solvency of each
25            underwriter member; or if a certification is
26            unavailable, financial statements, prepared by

 

 

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1            independent public accountants, of each
2            underwriter member of the association.
3            (3) The Director shall create and publish a list of
4        qualified jurisdictions, under which an assuming
5        insurer licensed and domiciled in such jurisdiction is
6        eligible to be considered for certification by the
7        Director as a certified reinsurer.
8                (a) In order to determine whether the
9            domiciliary jurisdiction of a non-U.S. assuming
10            insurer is eligible to be recognized as a qualified
11            jurisdiction, the Director shall evaluate the
12            appropriateness and effectiveness of the
13            reinsurance supervisory system of the
14            jurisdiction, both initially and on an ongoing
15            basis, and consider the rights, benefits, and
16            extent of reciprocal recognition afforded by the
17            non-U.S. jurisdiction to reinsurers licensed and
18            domiciled in the U.S. A qualified jurisdiction
19            must agree in writing to share information and
20            cooperate with the Director with respect to all
21            certified reinsurers domiciled within that
22            jurisdiction. A jurisdiction may not be recognized
23            as a qualified jurisdiction if the Director has
24            determined that the jurisdiction does not
25            adequately and promptly enforce final U.S.
26            judgments and arbitration awards. The costs and

 

 

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1            expenses associated with the Director's review and
2            evaluation of the domiciliary jurisdictions of
3            non-U.S. assuming insurers shall be borne by the
4            certified reinsurer or reinsurers domiciled in
5            such jurisdiction.
6                (b) The Director shall consider the list of
7            qualified jurisdictions through the NAIC committee
8            process in determining qualified jurisdictions. If
9            the Director approves a jurisdiction as qualified
10            that does not appear on the list of qualified
11            jurisdictions, then the Director shall provide
12            thoroughly documented justification in accordance
13            with criteria to be developed under regulations.
14                (c) U.S. jurisdictions that meet the
15            requirement for accreditation under the NAIC
16            financial standards and accreditation program
17            shall be recognized as qualified jurisdictions.
18                (d) If a certified reinsurer's domiciliary
19            jurisdiction ceases to be a qualified
20            jurisdiction, then the Director may suspend the
21            reinsurer's certification indefinitely, in lieu of
22            revocation.
23            (4) If an applicant for certification has been
24        certified as a reinsurer in an NAIC accredited
25        jurisdiction, then the Director may defer to that
26        jurisdiction's certification, and such assuming

 

 

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1        insurer shall be considered to be a certified reinsurer
2        in this State, but only upon the Director's assignment
3        of an Illinois rating, which shall be made based on the
4        requirements of subparagraph (5) of this paragraph
5        (C-5).
6            (5) The Director shall assign a rating to each
7        certified reinsurer pursuant to rules adopted by the
8        Department. Factors that shall be considered as part of
9        the evaluation process include the following:
10                (a) The certified reinsurer's financial
11            strength rating from an acceptable rating agency.
12            Financial strength ratings shall be classified
13            according to the following ratings categories:
14                    (i) Ratings Category "Secure - 1"
15                corresponds to the highest level of rating
16                given by a rating agency, including, but not
17                limited to, A.M. Best Company rating A++;
18                Standard & Poor's rating AAA; Moody's
19                Investors Service Ratings rating Aaa; and
20                Fitch Ratings rating AAA.
21                    (ii) Ratings Category "Secure - 2"
22                corresponds to the second-highest level of
23                rating or group of ratings given by a rating
24                agency, including, but not limited to, A.M.
25                Best Company rating A+; Standard & Poor's
26                rating AA+, AA, or AA-; Moody's Investors

 

 

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1                Service ratings Aa1, Aa2, or Aa3; and Fitch
2                Ratings ratings AA+, AA, or AA-.
3                    (iii) Ratings Category "Secure - 3"
4                corresponds to the third-highest level of
5                rating or group of ratings given by a rating
6                agency, including, but not limited to, A.M.
7                Best Company rating A; Standard & Poor's
8                ratings A+ or A; Moody's Investors Service
9                ratings A1 or A2; and Fitch Ratings ratings A+
10                or A.
11                    (iv) Ratings Category "Secure - 4"
12                corresponds to the fourth-highest level of
13                rating or group of ratings given by a rating
14                agency, including, but not limited to, A.M.
15                Best Company rating A-; Standard & Poor's
16                rating A-; Moody's Investors Service rating
17                A3; and Fitch Ratings rating A-.
18                    (v) Ratings Category "Secure - 5"
19                corresponds to the fifth-highest level of
20                rating or group of ratings given by a rating
21                agency, including, but not limited to, A.M.
22                Best Company ratings B++ or B+; Standard &
23                Poor's ratings BBB+, BBB, or BBB-; Moody's
24                Investors Service ratings Baa1, Baa2, or Baa3;
25                and Fitch Ratings ratings BBB+, BBB, or BBB-.
26                    (vi) Ratings Category "Vulnerable - 6"

 

 

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1                corresponds to a level of rating given by a
2                rating agency, other than those described in
3                subitems (i) through (v) of this item (c),
4                including, but not limited to, A.M. Best
5                Company rating B, B-, C++, C+, C, C-, D, E, or
6                F; Standard & Poor's ratings BB+, BB, BB-, B+,
7                B, B-, CCC, CC, C, D, or R; Moody's Investors
8                Service ratings Ba1, Ba2, Ba3, B1, B2, B3, Caa,
9                Ca, or C; and Fitch Ratings ratings BB+, BB,
10                BB- B+, B, B-, CCC+, CCC, CCC-, or D.
11                A failure to obtain or maintain at least 2
12            financial strength ratings from acceptable rating
13            agencies shall result in loss of eligibility for
14            certification.
15                (b) The business practices of the certified
16            reinsurer in dealing with its ceding insurers,
17            including its record of compliance with
18            reinsurance contractual terms and obligations.
19                (c) For certified reinsurers domiciled in the
20            U.S., a review of the most recent applicable NAIC
21            Annual Statement Blank, either Schedule F (for
22            property and casualty reinsurers) or Schedule S
23            (for life and health reinsurers).
24                (d) For certified reinsurers not domiciled in
25            the U.S., a review annually of Form CR-F (for
26            property and casualty reinsurers) or Form CR-S

 

 

09800HB3970ham001- 20 -LRB098 15529 RPM 57763 a

1            (for life and health reinsurers).
2                (e) The reputation of the certified reinsurer
3            for prompt payment of claims under reinsurance
4            agreements, based on an analysis of ceding
5            insurers' Schedule F reporting of overdue
6            reinsurance recoverables, including the proportion
7            of obligations that are more than 90 days past due
8            or are in dispute, with specific attention given to
9            obligations payable to companies that are in
10            administrative supervision or receivership.
11                (f) Regulatory actions against the certified
12            reinsurer.
13                (g) The report of the independent auditor on
14            the financial statements of the insurance
15            enterprise, on the basis described in item (h) of
16            this subparagraph (5).
17                (h) For certified reinsurers not domiciled in
18            the U.S., audited financial statements (audited
19            Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S.
20            GAAP) basis statement if available, audited
21            International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
22            basis statements are allowed but must include an
23            audited footnote reconciling equity and net income
24            to U.S. GAAP basis or, with the permission of the
25            Director, audited IFRS basis statements with
26            reconciliation to U.S. GAAP basis certified by an

 

 

09800HB3970ham001- 21 -LRB098 15529 RPM 57763 a

1            officer of the company), regulatory filings, and
2            actuarial opinion (as filed with the non-U.S.
3            jurisdiction supervisor). Upon the initial
4            application for certification, the Director shall
5            consider the audited financial statements filed
6            with its non-U.S. jurisdiction supervisor for the
7            3 years immediately preceding the date of the
8            initial application for certification.
9                (i) The liquidation priority of obligations to
10            a ceding insurer in the certified reinsurer's
11            domiciliary jurisdiction in the context of an
12            insolvency proceeding.
13                (j) A certified reinsurer's participation in
14            any solvent scheme of arrangement, or similar
15            procedure, that involves U.S. ceding insurers. The
16            Director shall receive prior notice from a
17            certified reinsurer that proposes participation by
18            the certified reinsurer in a solvent scheme of
19            arrangement.
20            The maximum rating that a certified reinsurer may
21        be assigned shall correspond to its financial strength
22        rating, which shall be determined according to
23        subitems (i) through (vi) of item (a) of this
24        subparagraph (5). The Director shall use the lowest
25        financial strength rating received from an acceptable
26        rating agency in establishing the maximum rating of a

 

 

09800HB3970ham001- 22 -LRB098 15529 RPM 57763 a

1        certified reinsurer.
2            (6) Based on the analysis conducted under item (e)
3        of subparagraph (5) of this paragraph (C-5) of a
4        certified reinsurer's reputation for prompt payment of
5        claims, the Director may make appropriate adjustments
6        in the security the certified reinsurer is required to
7        post to protect its liabilities to U.S. ceding
8        insurers, provided that the Director shall, at a
9        minimum, increase the security the certified reinsurer
10        is required to post by one rating level under item (a)
11        of subparagraph (8) of this paragraph (C-5) if the
12        Director finds that:
13                (a) more than 15% of the certified reinsurer's
14            ceding insurance clients have overdue reinsurance
15            recoverables on paid losses of 90 days or more that
16            are not in dispute and that exceed $100,000 for
17            each cedent; or
18                (b) the aggregate amount of reinsurance
19            recoverables on paid losses that are not in dispute
20            that are overdue by 90 days or more exceeds
21            $50,000,000.
22            (7) The Director shall publish a list of all
23        certified reinsurers and their ratings.
24            (8) A certified reinsurer shall secure obligations
25        assumed from U.S. ceding insurers under this
26        subsection (1) at a level consistent with its rating.

 

 

09800HB3970ham001- 23 -LRB098 15529 RPM 57763 a

1                (a) The amount of security required in order
2            for full credit to be allowed shall correspond with
3            the applicable ratings category:
4                    Secure - 1: 0%.
5                    Secure - 2: 10%.
6                    Secure - 3: 20%.
7                    Secure - 4: 50%.
8                    Secure - 5: 75%.
9                    Vulnerable - 6: 100%.
10                (b) Nothing in this subparagraph (8) shall
11            prohibit the parties to a reinsurance agreement
12            from agreeing to provisions establishing security
13            requirements that exceed the minimum security
14            requirements established for certified reinsurers
15            under this Section.
16                (c) In order for a domestic ceding insurer to
17            qualify for full financial statement credit for
18            reinsurance ceded to a certified reinsurer, the
19            certified reinsurer shall maintain security in a
20            form acceptable to the Director and consistent
21            with the provisions of subsection (2) of this
22            Section, or in a multibeneficiary trust in
23            accordance with paragraph (C) of this subsection
24            (1), except as otherwise provided in this
25            subparagraph (8).
26                (d) If a certified reinsurer maintains a trust

 

 

09800HB3970ham001- 24 -LRB098 15529 RPM 57763 a

1            to fully secure its obligations subject to
2            paragraph (C) of this subsection (1), and chooses
3            to secure its obligations incurred as a certified
4            reinsurer in the form of a multibeneficiary trust,
5            then the certified reinsurer shall maintain
6            separate trust accounts for its obligations
7            incurred under reinsurance agreements issued or
8            renewed as a certified reinsurer with reduced
9            security as permitted by this subsection or
10            comparable laws of other U.S. jurisdictions and
11            for its obligations subject to paragraph (C) of
12            this subsection (1). It shall be a condition to the
13            grant of certification under this paragraph (C-5)
14            that the certified reinsurer shall have bound
15            itself, by the language of the trust and agreement
16            with the Director with principal regulatory
17            oversight of each such trust account, to fund, upon
18            termination of any such trust account, out of the
19            remaining surplus of such trust any deficiency of
20            any other such trust account. The certified
21            reinsurer shall also provide or make available, if
22            requested by a beneficiary under a trust, all the
23            information that is required to be provided under
24            the requirements of item (d) of subparagraph (2) of
25            paragraph (C) of this subsection (1) to the
26            certified reinsurer's U.S. ceding insurers or

 

 

09800HB3970ham001- 25 -LRB098 15529 RPM 57763 a

1            their assigns and successors in interest.
2                (e) The minimum trusteed surplus requirements
3            provided in paragraph (C) of this subsection (1)
4            are not applicable with respect to a
5            multibeneficiary trust maintained by a certified
6            reinsurer for the purpose of securing obligations
7            incurred under this subsection, except that such
8            trust shall maintain a minimum trusteed surplus of
9            $10,000,000.
10                (f) With respect to obligations incurred by a
11            certified reinsurer under this subsection (1), if
12            the security is insufficient, then the Director
13            may reduce the allowable credit by an amount
14            proportionate to the deficiency and may impose
15            further reductions in allowable credit upon
16            finding that there is a material risk that the
17            certified reinsurer's obligations will not be paid
18            in full when due.
19                (9)(a) In the case of a downgrade by a rating
20            agency or other disqualifying circumstance, the
21            Director shall by written notice assign a new
22            rating to the certified reinsurer in accordance
23            with the requirements of subparagraph (5) of this
24            paragraph (C-5).
25                (b) If the rating of a certified reinsurer is
26            upgraded by the Director, then the certified

 

 

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1            reinsurer may meet the security requirements
2            applicable to its new rating on a prospective
3            basis, but the Director shall require the
4            certified reinsurer to post security under the
5            previously applicable security requirements as to
6            all contracts in force on or before the effective
7            date of the upgraded rating. If the rating of a
8            certified reinsurer is downgraded by the Director,
9            then the Director shall require the certified
10            reinsurer to meet the security requirements
11            applicable to its new rating for all business it
12            has assumed as a certified reinsurer.
13                (c) The Director may suspend, revoke, or
14            otherwise modify a certified reinsurer's
15            certification at any time if the certified
16            reinsurer fails to meet its obligations or
17            security requirements under this Section or if
18            other financial or operating results of the
19            certified reinsurer, or documented significant
20            delays in payment by the certified reinsurer, lead
21            the Director to reconsider the certified
22            reinsurer's ability or willingness to meet its
23            contractual obligations. In seeking to suspend,
24            revoke, or otherwise modify a certified
25            reinsurer's certification, the Director shall
26            follow the procedures provided in paragraph (G) of

 

 

09800HB3970ham001- 27 -LRB098 15529 RPM 57763 a

1            this subsection (1).
2                (d) For purposes of this subsection (1), a
3            certified reinsurer whose certification has been
4            terminated for any reason shall be treated as a
5            certified reinsurer required to secure 100% of its
6            obligations.
7                    (i) As used in this item (g), the term
8                "terminated" refers to revocation, suspension,
9                voluntary surrender and inactive status.
10                    (ii) If the Director continues to assign a
11                higher rating as permitted by other provisions
12                of this Section, then this requirement does not
13                apply to a certified reinsurer in inactive
14                status or to a reinsurer whose certification
15                has been suspended.
16                (e) Upon revocation of the certification of a
17            certified reinsurer by the Director, the assuming
18            insurer shall be required to post security in
19            accordance with subsection (2) of this Section in
20            order for the ceding insurer to continue to take
21            credit for reinsurance ceded to the assuming
22            insurer. If funds continue to be held in trust,
23            then the Director may allow additional credit
24            equal to the ceding insurer's pro rata share of the
25            funds, discounted to reflect the risk of
26            uncollectibility and anticipated expenses of trust

 

 

09800HB3970ham001- 28 -LRB098 15529 RPM 57763 a

1            administration.
2                (f) Notwithstanding the change of a certified
3            reinsurer's rating or revocation of its
4            certification, a domestic insurer that has ceded
5            reinsurance to that certified reinsurer may not be
6            denied credit for reinsurance for a period of 3
7            months for all reinsurance ceded to that certified
8            reinsurer, unless the reinsurance is found by the
9            Director to be at high risk of uncollectibility.
10            (10) A certified reinsurer that ceases to assume
11        new business in this State may request to maintain its
12        certification in inactive status in order to continue
13        to qualify for a reduction in security for its in-force
14        business. An inactive certified reinsurer shall
15        continue to comply with all applicable requirements of
16        this subsection (1), and the Director shall assign a
17        rating that takes into account, if relevant, the
18        reasons why the reinsurer is not assuming new business.
19            (11) Credit for reinsurance under this paragraph
20        (C-5) shall apply only to reinsurance contracts
21        entered into or renewed on or after the effective date
22        of the certification of the assuming insurer.
23        (D) Credit shall be allowed when the reinsurance is
24    ceded to an assuming insurer not meeting the requirements
25    of paragraph subsection (1) (A), (B), or (C) of this
26    subsection (1) but only with respect to the insurance of

 

 

09800HB3970ham001- 29 -LRB098 15529 RPM 57763 a

1    risks located in jurisdictions where that reinsurance is
2    required by applicable law or regulation of that
3    jurisdiction.
4        (E) If the assuming insurer is not licensed to transact
5    insurance in this State or an accredited or certified
6    reinsurer in this State, the credit permitted by paragraphs
7    (B-5) and subsection (1) (C) of this subsection (1) shall
8    not be allowed unless the assuming insurer agrees in the
9    reinsurance agreements:
10            (1) that in the event of the failure of the
11        assuming insurer to perform its obligations under the
12        terms of the reinsurance agreement, the assuming
13        insurer, at the request of the ceding insurer, shall
14        submit to the jurisdiction of any court of competent
15        jurisdiction in any state of the United States, will
16        comply with all requirements necessary to give the
17        court jurisdiction, and will abide by the final
18        decision of the court or of any appellate court in the
19        event of an appeal; and
20            (2) to designate the Director or a designated
21        attorney as its true and lawful attorney upon whom may
22        be served any lawful process in any action, suit, or
23        proceeding instituted by or on behalf of the ceding
24        company.
25        This provision is not intended to conflict with or
26    override the obligation of the parties to a reinsurance

 

 

09800HB3970ham001- 30 -LRB098 15529 RPM 57763 a

1    agreement to arbitrate their disputes, if an obligation to
2    arbitrate is created in the agreement.
3        (F) If the assuming insurer does not meet the
4    requirements of paragraph (A) or (B) of this subsection (1)
5    (1)(A) or (B), the credit permitted by paragraph (C) of
6    this subsection (1) (1)(C) shall not be allowed unless the
7    assuming insurer agrees in the trust agreements to the
8    following conditions:
9            (1) Notwithstanding any other provisions in the
10        trust instrument, if the trust fund is inadequate
11        because it contains an amount less than the amount
12        required by subparagraph (3) of paragraph (C)
13        subsection (C)(3) of this subsection (1) Section or if
14        the grantor of the trust has been declared insolvent or
15        placed into receivership, rehabilitation, liquidation,
16        or similar proceedings under the laws of its state or
17        country of domicile, the trustee shall comply with an
18        order of the state official with regulatory oversight
19        over the trust or with an order of a court of competent
20        jurisdiction directing the trustee to transfer to the
21        state official with regulatory oversight all of the
22        assets of the trust fund.
23            (2) The assets shall be distributed by and claims
24        shall be filed with and valued by the state official
25        with regulatory oversight in accordance with the laws
26        of the state in which the trust is domiciled that are

 

 

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1        applicable to the liquidation of domestic insurance
2        companies.
3            (3) If the state official with regulatory
4        oversight determines that the assets of the trust fund
5        or any part thereof are not necessary to satisfy the
6        claims of the U.S. ceding insurers of the grantor of
7        the trust, the assets or part thereof shall be returned
8        by the state official with regulatory oversight to the
9        trustee for distribution in accordance with the trust
10        agreement.
11            (4) The grantor shall waive any rights otherwise
12        available to it under U.S. law that are inconsistent
13        with the provision.
14        (G) If an accredited or certified reinsurer ceases to
15    meet the requirements for accreditation or certification,
16    then the Director may suspend or revoke the reinsurer's
17    accreditation or certification.
18            (1) The Director must give the reinsurer notice and
19        opportunity for hearing. The suspension or revocation
20        may not take effect until after the Director's order on
21        hearing, unless:
22                (a) the reinsurer waives its right to hearing;
23                (b) the Director's order is based on
24            regulatory action by the reinsurer's domiciliary
25            jurisdiction or the voluntary surrender or
26            termination of the reinsurer's eligibility to

 

 

09800HB3970ham001- 32 -LRB098 15529 RPM 57763 a

1            transact insurance or reinsurance business in its
2            domiciliary jurisdiction or in the primary
3            certifying state of the reinsurer under
4            subparagraph (4) of paragraph (C-5) of this
5            subsection (1); or
6                (c) the Director finds that an emergency
7            requires immediate action and a court of competent
8            jurisdiction has not stayed the Director's action.
9            (2) While a reinsurer's accreditation or
10        certification is suspended, no reinsurance contract
11        issued or renewed after the effective date of the
12        suspension qualifies for credit except to the extent
13        that the reinsurer's obligations under the contract
14        are secured in accordance with subsection (2) of this
15        Section. If a reinsurer's accreditation or
16        certification is revoked, no credit for reinsurance
17        may be granted after the effective date of the
18        revocation, except to the extent that the reinsurer's
19        obligations under the contract are secured in
20        accordance with subsection (2) of this Section.
21        (H) The following provisions shall apply concerning
22    concentration of risk:
23            (1) A ceding insurer shall take steps to manage its
24        reinsurance recoverable proportionate to its own book
25        of business. A domestic ceding insurer shall notify the
26        Director within 30 days after reinsurance recoverables

 

 

09800HB3970ham001- 33 -LRB098 15529 RPM 57763 a

1        from any single assuming insurer, or group of
2        affiliated assuming insurers, exceeds 50% of the
3        domestic ceding insurer's last reported surplus to
4        policyholders, or after it is determined that
5        reinsurance recoverables from any single assuming
6        insurer, or group of affiliated assuming insurers, is
7        likely to exceed this limit. The notification shall
8        demonstrate that the exposure is safely managed by the
9        domestic ceding insurer.
10            (2) A ceding insurer shall take steps to diversify
11        its reinsurance program. A domestic ceding insurer
12        shall notify the Director within 30 days after ceding
13        to any single assuming insurer, or group of affiliated
14        assuming insurers, more than 20% of the ceding
15        insurer's gross written premium in the prior calendar
16        year, or after it has determined that the reinsurance
17        ceded to any single assuming insurer, or group of
18        affiliated assuming insurers, is likely to exceed this
19        limit. The notification shall demonstrate that the
20        exposure is safely managed by the domestic ceding
21        insurer.
22    (2) Credit for the reinsurance ceded by a domestic insurer
23to an assuming insurer not meeting the requirements of
24subsection (1) of this Section shall be allowed in an amount
25not exceeding the assets or liabilities carried by the ceding
26insurer. The credit shall not exceed the amount of funds held

 

 

09800HB3970ham001- 34 -LRB098 15529 RPM 57763 a

1by or held in trust for the ceding insurer under a reinsurance
2contract with the assuming insurer as security for the payment
3of obligations thereunder, if the security is held in the
4United States subject to withdrawal solely by, and under the
5exclusive control of, the ceding insurer; or, in the case of a
6trust, held in a qualified United States financial institution,
7as defined in paragraph (B) of subsection (3) of this Section
8(3)(B). This security may be in the form of:
9        (A) Cash.
10        (B) Securities listed by the Securities Valuation
11    Office of the National Association of Insurance
12    Commissioners, including those deemed exempt from filing
13    as defined by the Purposes and Procedures Manual of the
14    Securities Valuation Office that conform to the
15    requirements of Article VIII of this Code that are not
16    issued by an affiliate of either the assuming or ceding
17    company.
18        (C) Clean, irrevocable, unconditional, letters of
19    credit issued or confirmed by a qualified United States
20    financial institution, as defined in paragraph (A) of
21    subsection (3) of this Section (3)(A). The letters of
22    credit shall be effective no later than December 31 of the
23    year for which filing is being made, and in the possession
24    of, or in trust for, the ceding company on or before the
25    filing date of its annual statement. Letters of credit
26    meeting applicable standards of issuer acceptability as of

 

 

09800HB3970ham001- 35 -LRB098 15529 RPM 57763 a

1    the dates of their issuance (or confirmation) shall,
2    notwithstanding the issuing (or confirming) institution's
3    subsequent failure to meet applicable standards of issuer
4    acceptability, continue to be acceptable as security until
5    their expiration, extension, renewal, modification, or
6    amendment, whichever first occurs.
7        (D) Any other form of security acceptable to the
8    Director.
9    (3)(A) For purposes of paragraph (C) of subsection (2) of
10    this Section subsection 2(C), a "qualified United States
11    financial institution" means an institution that:
12            (1) is organized or, in the case of a U.S. office
13        of a foreign banking organization, licensed under the
14        laws of the United States or any state thereof;
15            (2) is regulated, supervised, and examined by U.S.
16        federal or state authorities having regulatory
17        authority over banks and trust companies;
18            (3) has been designated by either the Director or
19        the Securities Valuation Office of the National
20        Association of Insurance Commissioners as meeting such
21        standards of financial condition and standing as are
22        considered necessary and appropriate to regulate the
23        quality of financial institutions whose letters of
24        credit will be acceptable to the Director; and
25            (4) is not affiliated with the assuming company.
26        (B) A "qualified United States financial institution"

 

 

09800HB3970ham001- 36 -LRB098 15529 RPM 57763 a

1    means, for purposes of those provisions of this law
2    specifying those institutions that are eligible to act as a
3    fiduciary of a trust, an institution that:
4            (1) is organized or, in the case of the U.S. branch
5        or agency office of a foreign banking organization,
6        licensed under the laws of the United States or any
7        state thereof and has been granted authority to operate
8        with fiduciary powers;
9            (2) is regulated, supervised, and examined by
10        federal or state authorities having regulatory
11        authority over banks and trust companies; and
12            (3) is not affiliated with the assuming company,
13        however, if the subject of the reinsurance contract is
14        insurance written pursuant to Section 155.51 of this
15        Code, the financial institution may be affiliated with
16        the assuming company with the prior approval of the
17        Director.
18        (C) Except as set forth in subparagraph (11) of
19    paragraph (C-5) of subsection (1) of this Section as to
20    cessions by certified reinsurers, this amendatory Act of
21    the 98th General Assembly shall apply to all cessions after
22    the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th
23    General Assembly under reinsurance agreements that have an
24    inception, anniversary, or renewal date not less than 6
25    months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of
26    the 98th General Assembly.

 

 

09800HB3970ham001- 37 -LRB098 15529 RPM 57763 a

1        (D) The Department shall adopt rules implementing the
2    provisions of this Article.
3(Source: P.A. 90-381, eff. 8-14-97.)".