CHAPTER 44. DELAWARE LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION ACT
§ 4401. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Delaware Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Act".
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1.;
§ 4402. Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect, subject to certain limitations, the persons specified in § 4403(a) of this title
against failure in the performance of contractual obligations, under life and health insurance policies and annuity contracts
specified in § 4403(b) of this title, because of the impairment or insolvency of the member insurer that issued the policies
or contracts. To provide this protection, an association of insurers is created to pay benefits and to continue coverage
as limited herein, and members of the Association are subject to assessment to provide funds to carry out the purpose of this
chapter.
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1; 68 Del. Laws, c. 55, § 1.;
§ 4403. Coverage and limitations.
(a) This chapter shall provide coverage for the policies and contracts specified in subsection (b) of this section:
(1) To persons who, regardless of where they reside (except for nonresident certificate holders under group policies or contracts),
are the beneficiaries, assignees or payees of the persons covered under paragraph (a)(2) of this section;
(2) To persons who are owners of or certificate holders under such policies or contracts (other than unallocated annuity contracts,
and structured settlement annuities) and in each case who:
a. Are residents; or
b. Are not residents, but only under all of the following conditions:
1. The insurer which issued such policies or contracts is domiciled in this State;
2. The states in which the persons reside have associations similar to the Association created by this chapter;
3. The persons are not eligible for coverage by an association in any other state due to the fact that the insurer was not
licensed in the state at the time specified in the state's guaranty association law.
(3) For unallocated annuity contracts specified in subsection (b) of this section, paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section
shall not apply, and this chapter shall (except as provided in paragraphs (a)(5) and (6) of this section) provide coverage
to:
a. Persons who are the owners of the unallocated annuity contracts if the contracts are issued to or in connection with a
specific benefit plan whose plan sponsor has its principal place of business in this State; and
b. Persons who are owners of unallocated annuity contracts issued to or in connection with government lotteries if the owners
are residents.
(4) For structured settlement annuities specified in subsection (b) of this section, paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section
shall not apply, and this chapter shall (except as provided in paragraphs (a)(5) and (6) of this section) provide coverage
to a person who is a payee under a structured settlement annuity (or beneficiary of a payee if the payee is deceased), if
the payee:
a. Is a resident, regardless of where the contract owner resides; or
b. Is not a resident, but only under both of the following conditions:
1.A. The contract owner of the structured settlement annuity is a resident; or
B. The contract owner of the structured settlement annuity is not a resident, but i. The insurer that issued the structured
settlement annuity is domiciled in this State; and ii. The state in which the contract owner resides has an association similar
to the Association created by this chapter; and
2. Neither the payee (or beneficiary) nor the contract owner is eligible for coverage by the association of the state in which
the payee or contract owner resides.
(5) This chapter shall not provide coverage to:
a. A person who is a payee (or beneficiary) of a contract owner resident of this State if the payee (or beneficiary) is afforded
any coverage by the association of another state; or
b. A person covered under paragraph (a)(3) of this section if any coverage is provided by the association of another state
to the person.
(6) This chapter is intended to provide coverage to a person who is a resident of this State and, in special circumstances,
to a nonresident. In order to avoid duplicate coverage, if a person who would otherwise receive coverage under this chapter
is provided coverage under the laws of any other state, the person shall not be provided coverage under this chapter. In determining
the application of the provisions of this paragraph in situations where a person could be covered by the association of more
than 1 state, whether as an owner, payee, beneficiary or assignee, this chapter shall be construed in conjunction with other
state laws to result in coverage by only one association.
(b)(1) This chapter shall provide coverage to the persons specified in subsection (a) of this section for direct, nongroup
life, health or annuity policies or contracts and supplemental contracts to any of these, for certificates under direct group
policies and contracts, and for unallocated annuity contracts issued by member insurers except as limited by this chapter.
Annuity contracts and certificates under group annuity contracts include but are not limited to guaranteed investment contracts,
deposit administration contracts, unallocated funding agreements, structured settlement annuities, annuities issued to or
in connection with government lotteries, and any immediate or deferred annuity contracts.
(2) This chapter shall not provide coverage for the following:
a. Any portion of a policy or contract not guaranteed by the insurer or under which the risk is borne by the policy or contract
owner;
b. Any policy or contract of reinsurance unless assumption certificates have been issued pursuant to the reinsurance policy
or contract;
c. Any portion of a policy or contract to the extent that the rate of interest on which it is based or the interest rate,
crediting rate or similar factor determined by use of an index or other external reference stated in the policy or contract
employed in calculating returns or changes in value:
1. Averaged over the period of 4 years prior to the date on which the member insurer becomes an impaired or insolvent insurer
under this chapter, whichever is earlier, exceeds the rate of interest determined by subtracting 2 percentage points from
Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average averaged for that same 4-year period or for such lesser period if the policy or contract
was issued less than 4 years before the member insurer becomes an impaired or insolvent insurer under this chapter, whichever
is earlier; and
2. On and after the date on which the member insurer becomes an impaired or insolvent insurer under this chapter, whichever
is earlier, exceeds the rate of interest determined by subtracting 3 percentage points from Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average
as most recently available;
d. Any portion of a policy or contract issued to a plan or program of an employer, association or other person to provide
life, health or annuity benefits to its employees, members or others to the extent that such plan or program is self-funded
or uninsured, including but not limited to benefits payable by an employer, association or other person under any of the following:
1. A multiple employer welfare arrangement as defined in 29 U.S.C. § 1144;
2. A minimum premium group insurance plan;
3. A stop-loss group insurance plan; or
4. An administrative services only contract;
e. Any portion of a policy or contract to the extent that it provides:
1. Dividends or experience rating credits;
2. Voting rights; or
3. Payment of any fees or allowances to any person, including the policy or contract owner, in connection with the service
to or administration of such policy or contract;
f. Any policy or contract issued in this State by a member insurer at a time when it was not licensed or did not have a certificate
of authority to issue such policy or contract in this State;
g. Any unallocated annuity contract issued to or in connection with a benefit plan protected under the federal Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation, regardless of whether the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has yet become liable to make
any payments with respect to the benefit plan;
h. Any portion of any unallocated annuity contract which is not issued to or in connection with a specific employee, union
or association of natural persons benefit plan or a government lottery;
i. A portion of a policy or contract to the extent that the assessments required by § 4409 of this title with respect to the
policy or contract are preempted by federal or state law;
j. An obligation that does not arise under the express written terms of the policy or contract issued by the insurer to the
contract owner or policy owner, including without limitation:
1. Claims based on marketing materials;
2. Claims based on side letters, riders or other documents that were issued by the insurer without meeting applicable policy
form filing or approval requirements;
3. Misrepresentations of or regarding policy benefits;
4. Extracontractual claims; or
5. A claim for penalties or consequential or incidental damages; and
k. A contractual agreement that establishes the member insurer's obligations to provide a book value accounting guaranty for
defined contribution benefit plan participants by reference to a portfolio of assets that is owned by the benefit plan or
its trustee, which in each case is not an affiliate of the member insurer.
l. A portion of a policy or contract to the extent it provides for interest or other changes in value to be determined by
the use of an index or other external reference stated in the policy or contract but which have not been credited to the policy
or contract, or as to which the policy or contract owner's rights are subject to forfeiture, as of the date the member insurer
becomes an impaired or insolvent insurer under this chapter, whichever is earlier. If a policy's or contract's interest or
changes in value are credited less frequently than annually, then for purposes of determining the values that have been credited
and are not subject to forfeiture under paragraph (b)(2)a. of this section, the interest or change in value determined by
using the procedures defined in the policy or contract will be credited as if the contractual date of crediting interest or
changing values was the date of impairment or insolvency, whichever is earlier, and will not be subject to forfeiture.
m. Any employer owned life insurance policy, as defined in § 2704(e) of this title.
n. A policy or contract providing any hospital, medical, prescription drug or other health care benefits pursuant to Part
C or Part D of Subchapter XVIII, Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the U.S.C. (commonly known as Medicare Part C and D) or any regulations
issued pursuant thereto.
(c) The benefits that the Association may become obligated to cover shall in no event exceed the lesser of the following:
(1) The contractual obligations for which the insurer is liable or would have been liable if it were not an impaired or insolvent
insurer; or
(2)a. With respect to any one life, regardless of the number of policies or contracts:
1. $300,000 in life insurance death benefits, but not more than $100,000 in net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values
for life insurance;
2. In health insurance benefits:
A. $100,000 for coverages not defined as disability insurance or basic hospital, medical and surgical insurance or major medical
insurance including any net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values;
B. $300,000 for disability insurance and $300,000 for long-term care insurance. For purposes of this section, "disability
insurance" shall mean the type of policy which pays a monthly or weekly amount if an individual is disabled and cannot work.
"Long-term care insurance" shall have the meaning as defined in § 7103(5) of this title.
C. $500,000 for basic hospital, medical and surgical insurance or major medical insurance For purposes of this section "basic
hospital, medical and surgical insurance" shall mean a policy which pays a certain portion of hospital room and board costs
each day. This type of policy also pays for hospital services and supplies such as x-rays, lab tests, medicine and other items
up to a stated amount. "Major medical insurance" shall mean health insurance to finance the expense of major illness and injury
characterized by large benefits maximums. This type of insurance reimburses the major part of all charges for hospital, doctor,
private nurses, medical appliances, prescribed out-of-hospital treatment, drugs and medicines above an initial deductible.
The insured person as coinsurer pays the remainder; or
3. $250,000 in present value of annuity benefits including net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values.
b. With respect to each individual participating in a governmental retirement benefit plan established under § 401, § 403(b)
or § 457 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 401, § 403(b) or § 457) covered by an unallocated annuity contract,
or the beneficiaries of each such individual if deceased, $250,000 in the aggregate in present value annuity benefits, including
net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values;
c. With respect to each payee of a structured settlement annuity (or beneficiary or beneficiaries of the payee, if deceased),
$250,000 in present value annuity benefits, in the aggregate, including net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values,
if any;
d. However, in no event shall the Association be obligated to cover more than (i) an aggregate of $300,000 in benefits with
respect to any 1 life under paragraphs (c)(2)a., (c)(2)b. and (c)(2)c. of this section except with respect to benefits for
basic hospital, medical and surgical insurance and major medical insurance under paragraph (c)(2)a.2. of this section, in
which case the aggregate liability of the Association shall not exceed $500,000 with respect to any 1 individual; or (ii)
with respect to 1 owner of multiple nongroup policies of life insurance, whether the policy owner is an individual, firm,
corporation or other person, and whether the persons insured are officers, managers, employees or other persons, more than
$1,000,000 in benefits, regardless of the number of policies and contracts held by the owner;
e. With respect to either (i) 1 contract owner provided coverage under paragraph (a)(3)b. of this section; or (ii) 1 plan
sponsor whose plans own directly or in trust 1 or more unallocated annuity contracts not included in paragraph (c)(2)b. of
this section, $1,000,000 in benefits, irrespective of the number of contracts with respect to the contract owner or plan sponsor.
However, in the case where 1 or more unallocated annuity contracts are covered contracts under this chapter and are owned
by a trust or other entity for the benefit of 2 or more plan sponsors, coverage shall be afforded by the Association if the
largest interest in the trust or entity owning the contract or contracts is held by a plan sponsor whose principal place of
business is in this State and in no event shall the Association be obligated to cover more than $1,000,000 in benefits with
respect to all these unallocated contracts.
f. The limitations set forth in this subsection are limitations on the benefits for which the Association is obligated before
taking into account either its subrogation and assignment rights or the extent to which those benefits could be provided out
of the assets of the impaired or insolvent insurer attributable to covered policies. The costs of the Association's obligations
under this chapter may be met by the use of assets attributable to covered policies or reimbursed to the Association pursuant
to its subrogation and assignment rights.
(d) In performing its obligations to provide coverage under § 4408 of this title, the Association shall not be required to
guarantee, assume, reinsure or perform, or cause to be guaranteed, assumed, reinsured or performed, the contractual obligations
of the insolvent or impaired insurer under a covered policy or contract that do not materially affect the economic values
or economic benefits of the covered policy or contract.
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 161, § 4; 68 Del. Laws, c. 55, § 2; 69 Del. Laws, c. 462, § 5; 73 Del. Laws, c. 327, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 215, §§ 1-5.;
§ 4404. Construction.
This chapter shall be liberally construed to effect the purpose under § 4402 of this title which shall constitute and aid
and guide to interpretation.
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1.;
§ 4405. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1) "Account" means either of the 2 accounts created under § 4406 of this title.
(2) "Association" means the Delaware Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association created under § 4406 of this title.
(3) "Authorized assessment" or "authorized," when used in the context of assessments, means a resolution by the board of directors
has been passed whereby an assessment will be called immediately or in the future from member insurers for a specified amount.
An assessment is authorized when the resolution is passed.
(4) "Benefit plan" means a specific employee, union or association of natural persons benefit plan.
(5) "Called assessment" or "called," when used in the context of assessments, means that a notice has been issued by the Association
to member insurers requiring that an authorized assessment be paid within the time frame set forth within the notice. An authorized
assessment becomes a called assessment when notice is mailed by the Association to member insurers.
(6) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Insurance of this State.
(7) "Contractual obligation" means an obligation under a policy or contract or certificate under a group policy or contract,
or portion thereof, for which coverage is provided under § 4403 of this title.
(8) "Covered policy" means a policy or contract or portion of a policy or contract for which coverage is provided under §
4403 of this title.
(9) "Extracontractual claims" shall include, for example, claims relating to bad faith in the payment of claims, punitive
or exemplary damages, or attorneys' fees and costs.
(10) "Impaired insurer" means a member insurer which, after the effective date of this chapter, is not an insolvent insurer,
and is placed under an order of rehabilitation or conservation by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(11) "Insolvent insurer" means a member insurer which after the effective date of this chapter, is placed under an order of
liquidation by a court of competent jurisdiction with a finding of insolvency.
(12) "Member insurer" means an insurer licensed or that holds a certificate of authority to transact in this State any kind
of insurance for which coverage is provided under § 4403 of this title, and includes an insurer whose license or certificate
of authority in this State may have been suspended, revoked, not renewed or voluntarily withdrawn, but does not include:
a. A hospital or medical service organization, whether profit or nonprofit;
b. A health maintenance organization;
c. A fraternal benefit society;
d. A mandatory state pooling plan;
e. A mutual assessment company or other person that operates on an assessment basis;
f. An insurance exchange;
g. An organization which has a certificate or license limited to the issuance of charitable gift annuities; or
h. An entity similar to any of the above.
(13) "Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average" means the Monthly Average Corporates as published by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc., or any successor thereto.
(14) "Owner" of a policy or contract and "policy owner" and "contract owner" mean the person who is identified as the legal
owner under the terms of the policy or contract or who is otherwise vested with legal title to the policy or contract through
a valid assignment completed in accordance with the terms of the policy or contract and properly recorded as the owner on
the books of the insurer. The terms owner, contract owner and policy owner do not include persons with a mere beneficial interest
in a policy or contract.
(15) "Person" means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, governmental body or
entity or voluntary organization.
(16) "Plan sponsor" means:
a. The employer in the case of a benefit plan established or maintained by a single employer;
b. The employee organization in the case of a benefit plan established or maintained by an employee organization; or
c. In a case of a benefit plan established or maintained by 2 or more employers or jointly by 1 or more employers and 1 or
more employee organizations, the association, committee, joint board of trustees, or other similar group of representatives
of the parties who establish or maintain the benefit plan.
(17) "Premiums" means amounts or considerations (by whatever name called) received on covered policies or contracts less returned
premiums, considerations and deposits and less dividends and experience credits. "Premiums" does not include amounts or considerations
received for policies or contracts or for the portions of policies or contracts for which coverage is not provided under §
4403(b) of this title except that assessable premium shall not be reduced on account of § 4403(b)(2)c. of this title relating
to interest limitations and § 4403(c)(2) of this title relating to limitations with respect to 1 individual, 1 participant
and 1 contract owner. "Premiums" shall not include:
a. Premiums in excess of $1,000,000 on an unallocated annuity contract not issued under a governmental retirement benefit
plan (or its trustee) established under § 401, § 403(b) or § 457 of the United States Internal Revenue Code [26 U.S.C. § 401,
§ 403(b) or § 457], or
b. With respect to multiple nongroup policies of life insurance owned by 1 owner, whether the policy owner is an individual,
firm, corporation or other person, and whether the persons insured are officers, managers, employees or other persons, premiums
in excess of $1,000,000 with respect to these policies or contracts, regardless of the number of policies or contracts held
by the owner.
(18)a. "Principal place of business" of a plan sponsor or a person other than a natural person means the single state in which
the natural persons who establish policy for the direction, control and coordination of the operations of the entity as a
whole primarily exercise that function, determined by the Association in its reasonable judgment by considering the following
factors:
1. The state in which the primary executive and administrative headquarters of the entity is located;
2. The state in which the principal office of the chief executive officer of the entity is located;
3. The state in which the board of directors (or similar governing person or persons) of the entity conducts the majority
of its meetings;
4. The state in which the executive or management committee of the board of directors (or similar governing person or persons)
of the entity conducts the majority of its meeting;
5. The state from which the management of the overall operations of the entity is directed; and
6. In the case of a benefit plan sponsored by affiliated companies comprising a consolidated corporation, the state in which
the holding company or controlling affiliate has its principal place of business as determined using the above factors.
However, in the case of a plan sponsor, if more than 50 percent of the participants in the benefit plan are employed in a
single state, that state shall be deemed to be the principal place of business of the plan sponsor.
b. The principal place of business of a plan sponsor of a benefit plan described in paragraph (16)c. of this section shall
be deemed to be the principal place of business of the association, committee, joint board of trustees or other similar group
of representatives of the parties who establish or maintain the benefit plan that, in lieu of a specific or clear designation
of a principal place of business, shall be deemed to be the principal place of business of the employer or employee organization
that has the largest investment in the benefit plan in question.
(19) "Receivership court" means the court in the insolvent or impaired insurer's state having jurisdiction over the conservation,
rehabilitation or liquidation of the insurer.
(20) "Resident" means a person to whom a contractual obligation is owed and who resides in this State on the date of entry
of a court order that determines a member insurer to be an impaired insurer or a court order that determines a member insurer
to be an insolvent insurer, whichever occurs first. A person may be a resident of only 1 state, which in the case of a person
other than a natural person shall be its principal place of business. Citizens of the United States that are either (i) residents
of foreign countries, or (ii) residents of United States possessions, territories or protectorates that do not have an association
similar to the Association created by this chapter shall be deemed residents of the state of domicile of the insurer that
issued the policies or contracts.
(21) "Structured settlement annuity" means an annuity purchased in order to fund periodic payments for a plaintiff or other
claimant in payment for or with respect to personal injury suffered by the plaintiff or other claimant.
(22) "State" means a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a United States possession, territory or protectorate.
(23) "Supplemental contract" means a written agreement entered into for the distribution of proceeds under a life, health
or annuity policy or contract.
(24) "Unallocated annuity contract" means an annuity contract or group annuity certificate which is not issued to and owned
by an individual, except to the extent of any annuity benefits guaranteed to an individual by an insurer under the contract
or certificate."
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 223, § 28; 68 Del. Laws, c. 55, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 547, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 327, § 2.;
§ 4406. Delaware Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association -- Created; accounts; supervision.
(a) There is created a nonprofit legal entity to be known as the Delaware Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association.
All member insurers shall be and remain members of the Association as a condition of their authority to transact insurance
in this State. The Association shall perform its functions under the plan of operation established and approved under § 4410
of this title, and shall exercise its powers through a Board of Directors established under § 4407 of this title. For purposes
of administration and assessment, the Association shall maintain 2 accounts:
(1) The life insurance and annuity account, which includes the following subaccounts:
a. Life insurance account;
b. Annuity account, which shall include annuity contracts owned by a governmental retirement plan (or its trustee) established
under § 401, § 403(b) or § 457 of the United States Internal Revenue Code [26 U.S.C. § 401, § 403(b) or § 457], but shall
otherwise exclude unallocated annuities; and
c. Unallocated annuity account, which shall exclude contracts owned by a governmental retirement benefit plan (or its trustee)
established under § 401, § 403(b) or § 457 of the United States Internal Revenue Code [26 U.S.C. § 401, § 403(b) or § 457].
(2) The health insurance account.
(b) The Association shall come under the immediate supervision of the Commissioner and shall be subject to the applicable
provisions of the insurance laws of this State.
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 547, § 2; 73 Del. Laws, c. 327, § 3.;
§ 4407. Same -- Board of Directors.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Association shall consist of not less than 5 nor more than 9 member insurers serving terms
as established in the plan of operation. The members of the Board shall be selected by member insurers subject to the approval
of the Commissioner. Vacancies on the Board shall be filled for the remaining period of the term by a majority vote of the
remaining Board members, subject to the approval of the Commissioner. To select the initial Board of Directors, and initially
organize the Association, the Commissioner shall give notice to all member insurers of the time and place of the organizational
meeting. In determining voting rights at the organizational meeting each member insurer shall be entitled to 1 vote in person
or by proxy. If the Board of Directors is not selected within 60 days after notice of the organizational meeting, the Commissioner
may appoint the initial members.
(b) In approving selections or in appointing members to the Board, the Commissioner shall consider, among other things, whether
all member insurers are fairly represented.
(c) Members of the Board may be reimbursed from the assets of the Association for expenses incurred by them as members of
the Board of Directors but members of the Board shall not otherwise be compensated by the Association for their services.
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1.;
§ 4408. Powers and duties of the Association.
(a) If a member insurer is an impaired insurer, the Association may, in its discretion, and subject to any conditions imposed
by the Association that do not impair the contractual obligations of the impaired insurer and that are approved by the Commissioner:
(1) Guarantee, assume or reinsure, or cause to be guaranteed, assumed, or reinsured, any or all of the policies or contracts
of the impaired insurer; or
(2) Provide such moneys, pledges, loans, notes, guarantees or other means as are proper to effectuate paragraph (a)(1) of
this section and assure payment of the contractual obligations of the impaired insurer pending action under paragraph (a)(1)
of this section.
(b) If a member insurer is an insolvent insurer, the Association shall, in its discretion, either:
(1)a.1. Guaranty, assume or reinsure, or cause to be guaranteed, assumed or reinsured, the policies or contracts of the insolvent
insurer; or
2. Assure payment of the contractual obligations of the insolvent insurer; and
b. Provide moneys, pledges, loans, notes, guarantees or other means reasonably necessary to discharge the Association's duties;
or
(2) Provide benefits and coverages in accordance with the following provisions:
a. With respect to life and health insurance policies and annuities, assure payment of benefits for premiums identical to
the premiums and benefits (except for terms of conversation and renewability) that would have been payable under the policies
or contracts of the insolvent insurer, for claims incurred:
1. With respect to group policies and contracts, not later than the earlier of the next renewal date under those policies
or contracts or 45 days, but in no event less than 30 days, after the date on which the Association becomes obligated with
respect to the policies and contracts;
2. With respect to nongroup policies, contracts and annuities, not later than the earlier of the next renewal date (if any)
under the policies or contracts or 1 year, but in no event less than 30 days from the date on which the Association becomes
obligated with respect to the policies or contracts;
b. Make diligent efforts to provide all known insureds or annuitants (for nongroup policies and contracts), or group policy
owners with respect to group policies and contracts, 30 days notice of the termination (pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)a. of
this section) of the benefits provided;
c. With respect to nongroup life and health insurance policies and annuities covered by the Association, make available to
each known insured or annuitant, or owner if other than the insured or annuitant, and with respect to an individual formerly
insured or formerly an annuitant under a group policy who is not eligible for replacement group coverage, make available substitute
coverage on an individual basis in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b)(2)d. of this section, if the insureds or
annuitants had a right under law or the terminated policy or annuity to convert coverage to individual coverage or to continue
an individual policy or annuity in force until a specified age or for a specified time during which the insurer had no right
unilaterally to make changes in any provision of the policy or annuity or had a right only to make changes in premium by class;
(3)a. In providing the substitute coverage required under paragraph (b)(2)c. of this section, the Association may offer either
to reissue the terminated coverage or to issue an alternative policy.
b. Alternative or reissued policies shall be offered without requiring evidence of insurability, and shall not provide for
any waiting period or exclusion that would not have applied under the terminated policy.
c. The Association may reinsure any alternative or reissued policy.
(4)a. Alternative policies adopted by the Association shall be subject to the approval of the domiciliary insurance commissioner
and the receivership court. The Association may adopt alternative policies of various types for future issuance without regard
to any particular impairment or insolvency.
b. Alternative policies shall contain at least the minimum statutory provisions required in this State and provide benefits
that shall not be unreasonable in relation to the premium charged. The Association shall set the premium in accordance with
a table of rates that it shall adopt. The premium shall reflect the amount of insurance to be provided and the age and class
of risk of each insured, but shall not reflect any changes in the health of the insured after the original policy was last
underwritten.
c. Any alternative policy issued by the Association shall provide coverage of a type similar to that of the policy issued
by the impaired or insolvent insurer, as determined by the Association.
(5) If the Association elects to reissue terminated coverage at a premium rate different from that charged under the terminated
policy, the premium shall be set by the Association in accordance with the amount of insurance provided and the age and class
of risk, subject to approval of the domiciliary insurance commissioner and the receivership court.
(6) The Association's obligations with respect to coverage under any policy of the impaired or insolvent insurer or under
any reissued or alternative policy shall cease on the date the coverage or policy is replaced by another similar policy by
the policy owner, the insured or the Association.
(7) When proceeding under paragraph (b)(2) of this section with respect to a policy or contract carrying guaranteed minimum
interest rates, the Association shall assure the payment or crediting of a rate of interest consistent with § 4403(b)(2)c.
of this title.
(c) Nonpayment of premiums within 31 days after the date required under the terms of any guaranteed, assumed, alternative
or reissued policy or contract or substitute coverage shall terminate the Association's obligations under the policy or coverage
under this chapter with respect to the policy or coverage, except with respect to any claims incurred or any net cash surrender
value which may be due in accordance with this chapter.
(d)(1) Premiums due for coverage after entry of an order of liquidation of an insolvent insurer shall belong to and be payable
at the direction of the Association, and the Association shall be liable for unearned premiums due to policy or contract owners
arising after the entry of the order.
(2) If the liquidator of an insolvent insurer requests, the Association shall provide a report to the liquidator regarding
such premiums collected by the Association.
(e) The protection provided by this chapter shall not apply where any guaranty protection is provided to residents of this
State by the laws of the domiciliary state or jurisdiction of the impaired or insolvent insurer other than this State.
(f) In carrying out its duties under subsection (b) of this section, the Association may:
(1) Subject to approval by a court in this State, impose permanent policy or contract liens in connection with a guarantee,
assumption or reinsurance agreement if the Association finds that the amounts which can be assessed under this chapter are
less than the amounts needed to assure full and prompt performance of the Association's duties under this chapter or that
the economic or financial conditions as they affect member insurers are sufficiently adverse to render the imposition of such
permanent policy or contract liens to be in the public interest;
(2) Subject to approval by a court in this State, impose temporary moratoriums or liens on payments of cash values and policy
loans or any other right to withdraw funds held in conjunction with policies or contracts, in addition to any contractual
provisions for deferral of cash or policy loan value. In addition, in the event of a temporary moratorium or moratorium charge
imposed by the receivership court on payment of cash values or policy loans or on any other right to withdraw funds held in
conjunction with policies or contracts out of the assets of the impaired or insolvent insurer, the Association may defer the
payment of cash values, policy loans or other rights by the Association for the period of the moratorium or moratorium charge
imposed by the receivership court, except for claims covered by the Association to be paid in accordance with a hardship procedure
established by the liquidator or rehabilitator and approved by the receivership court.
(g) A deposit in this State held pursuant to law or required by the Commissioner for the benefit of creditors, including policy
owners, not turned over to the domiciliary liquidator upon the entry of a final order of liquidation or order approving a
rehabilitation plan of an insurer domiciled in this State or in a reciprocal state, shall be promptly paid to the Association.
The Association shall be entitled to retain a portion of any amount so paid to it equal to the percentage determined by dividing
the aggregate amount of policy owners claims related to that insolvency for which the Association has provided statutory benefits
by the aggregate amount of all policy owners' claims in this State related to that insolvency and shall remit to the domiciliary
receiver the amount so paid to the Association less the amount retained pursuant to this subsection. Any amount so paid to
the Association and retained by it shall be treated as a distribution of estate assets pursuant to § 5911 of this title or
similar provision of the state of domicile of the impaired or insolvent insurer.
(h) If the Association fails to act within a reasonable period of time with respect to an insolvent insurer, as provided in
subsection (b) of this section, the Commissioner shall have the powers and duties of the Association under this chapter with
respect to the insolvent insurer.
(i) The Association may render assistance and advice to the Commissioner, upon the Commissioner's request, concerning rehabilitation,
payment of claims, continuance of coverage, or the performance of other contractual obligations of an impaired or insolvent
insurer.
(j) The Association shall have standing to appear or intervene before a court or agency in this State with jurisdiction over
an impaired or insolvent insurer concerning which the Association is or may become obligated under this chapter or with jurisdiction
over any person or property against which the Association may have rights through subrogation or otherwise. Standing shall
extend to all matters germane to the powers and duties of the Association, including, but not limited to, proposals for reinsuring,
modifying or guaranteeing the policies or contracts of the impaired or insolvent insurer and the determination of the policies
or contracts and contractual obligations. The Association shall also have the right to appear or intervene before a court
or agency in another state with jurisdiction over an impaired or insolvent insurer for which the Association is or may become
obligated or with jurisdiction over any person or property against whom the Association may have rights through subrogation
or otherwise.
(k)(1) A person receiving benefits under this chapter shall be deemed to have assigned the rights under, and any causes of
action against any person for losses arising under, resulting from or otherwise relating to, the covered policy or contract
to the Association to the extent of the benefits received because of this chapter, whether the benefits are payments of or
on account of contractual obligations, continuation of coverage or provision of substitute or alternative coverages. The Association
may require an assignment to it of such rights and cause of action by any payee, policy or contract owner, beneficiary, insured
or annuitant as a condition precedent to the receipt of any right or benefits conferred by this chapter upon the person.
(2) The subrogation rights of the Association under this subsection shall have the same priority against the assets of the
impaired or insolvent insurer as that possessed by the person entitled to receive benefits under this chapter.
(3) In addition to paragraphs (k)(1) and (2) of this section, the Association shall have all common-law rights of subrogation
and any other equitable or legal remedy that would have been available to the impaired or insolvent insurer or owner, beneficiary
or payee of a policy or contract with respect to the policy or contracts (including without limitation, in the case of a structured
settlement annuity, any rights of the owner, beneficiary or payee of the annuity, to the extent of benefits received pursuant
this chapter, against a person originally or by succession responsible for the losses arising from the personal injury relating
to the annuity or payment therefor, excepting any such person responsible solely by reason of serving as an assignee in respect
of a qualified assignment under Internal Revenue Code § 130 [26 U.S.C. § 130]).
(4) If the preceding provisions of this subsection are invalid or ineffective with respect to any person or claim for any
reason, the amount payable by the Association with respect to the related covered obligations shall be reduced by the amount
realized by any other person with respect to the person or claim that is attributable to the policies (or portion thereof)
covered by the Association.
(5) If the Association has provided benefits with respect to a covered obligation and a person recovers amounts as to which
the Association has rights as described in the preceding paragraphs of this subsection, the person shall pay to the Association
the portion of the recovery attributable to the policies (or portion thereof) covered by the Association.
(l) In addition to the rights and powers elsewhere in this chapter, the Association may:
(1) Enter into such contracts as are necessary or proper to carry out the provisions and purposes of this chapter;
(2) Sue or be sued, including taking any legal actions necessary or proper to recover any unpaid assessments under § 4409
of this title and to settle claims or potential claims against it;
(3) Borrow money to effect the purposes of this chapter; any notes or other evidence of indebtedness of the Association not
in default shall be legal investments for domestic insurers and may be carried as admitted assets;
(4) Employ or retain such persons as are necessary or appropriate to handle the financial transactions of the Association,
and to perform such other functions as become necessary or proper under this chapter;
(5) Take such legal action as may be necessary or appropriate to avoid or recover payment of improper claims;
(6) Exercise, for the purposes of this chapter and to the extent approved by the Commissioner, the powers of a domestic life
or health insurer; but in no case may the Association issue insurance policies or annuity contracts other than those issued
to perform its obligations under this chapter;
(7) Organize itself as a corporation or in other legal form permitted by the laws of the State;
(8) Request information from a person seeking coverage from the Association in order to aid the Association in determining
its obligations under this chapter with respect to the person; and the person shall promptly comply with the request; and
(9) Take other necessary or appropriate action to discharge its duties and obligations under this chapter or to exercise its
powers under this chapter.
(m) The Association may join an organization of 1 or more other state associations of similar purposes to further the purposes
and administer the powers and duties of the Association.
(n)(1) At any time within 180 days of the date of the order of liquidation, the Association may elect to succeed to the rights
and obligations of the ceding member insurer that relate to policies or annuities covered (in whole or in part) by the Association,
in each case under any 1 or more reinsurance contract or contracts entered into by the insolvent insurer and its reinsurers
and selected by the Association. Any such assumption shall be effective as of the date of the order of liquidation. The election
shall be effected by the Association or the National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations (NOLHGA)
on its behalf sending written notice, return receipt requested, to the affected reinsurers.
(2) To facilitate the earliest practicable decision about whether to assume any of the contracts of reinsurance and to protect
the financial position of the estate, the receiver and each reinsurer of the ceding member insurer shall make available, upon
request, to the Association or to NOLHGA on its behalf as soon as possible after commencement of formal delinquency proceedings:
a. Copies of in-force contracts of reinsurance and all related files and records relevant to the determination of whether
such contracts should be assumed; and
b. Notices of any defaults under the reinsurance contracts or any known event or condition which, with the passage of time,
could become a default under the reinsurance contracts.
(3) The following paragraphs (n)(3)a. through f. of this section shall apply to reinsurance contracts so assumed by the Association:
a. The Association shall be responsible for all unpaid premiums due under the reinsurance contracts for periods both before
and after the date of the order of liquidation, and shall be responsible for the performance of all other obligations to be
performed after the date of the order of liquidation, in each case which relate to policies or annuities covered (in whole
or in part) by the Association. The Association may charge policies or annuities covered in part by the Association, through
reasonable allocation methods, the costs for reinsurance in excess of the obligations of the Association and shall provide
notice and an accounting of these charges to the liquidator.
b. The Association shall be entitled to any and all amounts payable by the reinsurer under the reinsurance contracts with
respect to losses or events that occur in periods after the date of the order of liquidation and that relate to policies or
annuities covered (in whole or in part) by the Association, provided that, upon receipt of any such amounts the Association
shall be obligated to pay to the beneficiary under the policy or annuity on account of which the amounts were paid a portion
of the amount equal to the lesser of:
1. The amount received by the Association; and
2. The excess of the amount received by the Association, over the amount equal to the benefits paid by the Association on
account of the policy or annuity less the retention of the insurer applicable to the loss or event.
c. Within 30 days following the Association's election (the "election date"), the Association and each reinsurer under contracts
assumed by the Association shall calculate the net balance due to or from the Association under each reinsurance contract
as of the election date with respect to policies or annuities covered, in whole or in part, by the Association, which calculation
shall give full credit to all items paid by either the insurer or its receiver or the reinsurer prior to the election date.
The reinsurer shall pay the receiver any amounts due for losses or events prior to the date of the order of liquidation, subject
to any set-off for premiums unpaid for periods prior to the date, and the Association or reinsurer shall pay any remaining
balance due the other, in each case within 5 days of the completion of the aforementioned calculation. Any disputes over the
amounts due to either the Association or the reinsurer shall be resolved by arbitration pursuant to the terms of the affected
reinsurance contracts or, if the contract contains no arbitration clause, as otherwise provided by law. If the receiver has
received any amounts due the Association pursuant to paragraph (n)(3)b. of this section, the receiver shall remit the same
to the Association as promptly as practicable.
d.1. If the Association or the receiver, on the Associations' behalf, within 60 days of the election date, pays the unpaid
premiums due for periods both before and after the election date that relate to policies or annuities covered (in whole or
in part) by the Association, the reinsurer shall not be entitled to terminate the reinsurance contracts for failure to pay
a premium insofar as the reinsurance contracts relate to policies or annuities covered, in whole or in part, by the Association,
and shall not be entitled to set off any unpaid amounts due under other contracts, or unpaid amounts due from parties other
than the Association, against amounts due the Association.
2. During the period from the date of the order of liquidation until the election date (or, if the election date does not
occur, until 180 days after the date of the order of liquidation):
Neither the Association nor the reinsurer shall have any rights or obligations under reinsurance contracts that the Association
has the right to assume under paragraph(n)(1) of this section, whether for periods prior to or after the date of the order
of liquidation; and II. The reinsurer, the receiver and the Association shall, to the extent practicable, provide each other
data and records reasonably requested;
B. Provided that once the Association has elected to assume a reinsurance contract, the parties' rights and obligations shall
be governed by paragraph (n)(1) of this section.
3. If the Association does not elect to assume a reinsurance contract by the election date pursuant to paragraph (n)(1) of
this section, the Association shall have no rights or obligations, in each case for periods both before and after the date
of the order of liquidation, with respect to the reinsurance contract.
4. When policies or annuities, or covered obligations with respect thereto, are transferred to an assuming insurer, reinsurance
on the policies or annuities may also be transferred by the Association, in the case of contracts assumed under paragraph
(n)(1) of this section, subject to the following:
A. Unless the reinsurer and the assuming insurer agree otherwise, the reinsurance contract that is transferred shall not cover
any new policies of insurance or annuities in addition to those transferred;
B. The obligations described in paragraph (n)(3)d.1. of this section shall no longer apply with respect to matters arising
after the effective date of the transfer; and
C. Notice shall be given in writing, return receipt requested, by the transferring party to the affected reinsurer not less
than 30 days prior to the effective date of the transfer.
e. The provisions of this subsection (n) shall supersede the provisions of any law or of any affected reinsurance contract
that provides for or requires any payment of reinsurance proceeds, on account of losses or events that occur in periods after
the date of the order of liquidation, to the receiver of the insolvent insurer or any other person. The receiver shall remain
entitled to any amounts payable by the reinsurer under the reinsurance contracts with respect to losses or events that occur
in periods prior to the date of the order of liquidation, subject to applicable setoff provisions.
f. Except as otherwise provided in this section, nothing in this subsection (n) shall:
1. Alter or modify the terms and conditions of any reinsurance contract;
2. Abrogate or limit any rights of any reinsurer to claim that it is entitled to rescind a reinsurance contract;
3. Provide a policyholder or beneficiary with an independent cause of action against a reinsurer that is not otherwise set
forth in the reinsurance contract;
4. Limit or affect the Association's rights as a creditor of the estate against the assets of the estate;
5. Apply to reinsurance agreements covering property or casualty risks.
(o) The Board of Directors of the Association shall have discretion and may exercise reasonable business judgment to determine
the means by which the Association is to provide the benefits of this chapter in an economical and efficient manner.
(p) Where the Association has arranged or offered to provide the benefits of this chapter to a covered person under a plan
or arrangement that fulfills the Association's obligations under this chapter, the person shall not be entitled to benefits
from the Association in addition to or other than those provided under the plan or arrangement.
(q) Venue in a suit against the Association arising under the chapter shall be in New Castle County. The Association shall
not be required to give an appeal bond in an appeal that relates to a cause of action arising under this chapter.
(r) In carrying out its duties in connection with guaranteeing, assuming or reinsuring policies or contracts under subsection
(a) or (b) of this section, the Association may, subject to approval of the receivership court, issue substitute coverage
for a policy or contract that provides an interest rate, crediting rate or similar factor determined by use of an index or
other external reference stated in the policy or contract employed in calculating returns or changes in value by issuing an
alternative policy or contract in accordance with the following provisions:
(1) In lieu of the index or other external reference provided for in the original policy or contract, the alternative policy
or contract provides for (i) a fixed interest rate or (ii) payment of dividends with minimum guarantees or (iii) a different
method for calculating interest or changes in value;
(2) There is no requirement for evidence of insurability, waiting period or other exclusion that would not have applied under
the replaced policy or contract; and
(3) The alternative policy or contract is substantially similar to the replaced policy or contract in all other materials
terms.
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1; 65 Del. Laws, c. 162, § 1; 65 Del. Laws, c. 410, §§ 1, 2; 67 Del. Laws, c. 223, § 29; 68 Del. Laws, c. 55, § 4; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 327, § 4; 77 Del. Laws, c. 215, §§ 6-9.;
§ 4409. Assessments.
(a) For the purpose of providing the funds necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the Association, the Board of Directors
shall assess the member insurers, separately for each account, at such time and for such amounts as the Board finds necessary.
Assessments shall be due not less than 30 days after prior written notice to the member insurers and shall accrue interest
at 10% per annum on and after the due date.
(b) There shall be 3 classes of assessment as follows:
(1) Class A assessments, shall be authorized and called for the purpose of meeting administrative costs and other expenses.
Class A assessments may be authorized and called whether or not related to a particular impaired or insolvent insurer.
(2) Class B assessments shall be authorized and called annually to provide for the oversight activity of the Commissioner,
thereby minimizing the need to make class C assessments.
(3) Class C assessments shall be authorized and called to the extent necessary to carry out the duties of the Association
under this title with regards to an impaired or insolvent member insurer.
(c)(1) The amount of any class A assessment shall be determined by the Board and may be authorized and called on a pro rata
or non-pro rata basis. If pro rata, the Board may provide that it be credited against future class C assessments. The total
of all non-pro rata assessments shall not exceed $300 per member insurer in any 1 calendar year. The amount of class C assessment
shall be allocated for assessment purposes among the accounts pursuant to an allocation formula which may be based on the
premiums or reserves of the impaired or insolvent insurer or any other standard deemed by the Board in its sole discretion
as being fair and reasonable under the circumstances.
(2) The amount of a class B assessment shall be determined by the Commissioner who shall so notify the Association not later
than July 31 of the calendar year in which the assessment is to be made. A class B assessment may be made on a non-pro rata
basis, but the amount shall not exceed one tenth of 1% of the members' premium written during the calendar year preceding
the assessment. The amount assessed in conjunction with class C assessments shall not result in members being assessed more
than 2% of the premiums written in the applicable year. The proceeds of this assessment shall be paid by the Association into
the Commissioner's Regulatory Revolving Fund.
(3) Class C assessments against member insurers for each account and subaccount shall be in the proportion that the premiums
received on business in this State by each assessed member insurer on policies or contracts covered by each account for the
3 most recent calendar years for which information is available preceding the year in which the insurer became impaired or
insolvent, as the case may be, bears to such premiums received in this State for such calendar years by all assessed member
insurers.
(4) Assessments for funds to meet the requirements of the Association with respect to an impaired or insolvent insurer shall
not be authorized or called until necessary to implement the purposes of this chapter. Classification of assessments under
subsection (b) of this section and computation of assessments under this subsection shall be made with a reasonable degree
of accuracy, recognizing that exact determination may not always be possible. The Association shall notify each member insurer
of its anticipated pro rata share of an authorized assessment not yet called within 180 days after the assessment is authorized.
(d) The Association may abate or defer, in whole or in part, the assessment of the member insurer if, in the opinion of the
Board, payment of the assessment would endanger the ability of the member insurer to fulfill its contractual obligations.
In the event an assessment against a member insurer is abated or deferred in whole or in part, the amount by which such assessment
is abated or deferred may be assessed against the other member insurers in a manner consistent with the basis for assessments
set forth in this section. Once the conditions which caused a deferral have been removed or rectified, the member insurer
shall pay all assessments that were deferred pursuant to a repayment plan approved by the Association.
(e)(1)a. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (e)(1)b. of this section, the total of all assessmen
CHAPTER 44. DELAWARE LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION ACT
§ 4401. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Delaware Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Act".
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1.;
§ 4402. Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect, subject to certain limitations, the persons specified in § 4403(a) of this title
against failure in the performance of contractual obligations, under life and health insurance policies and annuity contracts
specified in § 4403(b) of this title, because of the impairment or insolvency of the member insurer that issued the policies
or contracts. To provide this protection, an association of insurers is created to pay benefits and to continue coverage
as limited herein, and members of the Association are subject to assessment to provide funds to carry out the purpose of this
chapter.
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1; 68 Del. Laws, c. 55, § 1.;
§ 4403. Coverage and limitations.
(a) This chapter shall provide coverage for the policies and contracts specified in subsection (b) of this section:
(1) To persons who, regardless of where they reside (except for nonresident certificate holders under group policies or contracts),
are the beneficiaries, assignees or payees of the persons covered under paragraph (a)(2) of this section;
(2) To persons who are owners of or certificate holders under such policies or contracts (other than unallocated annuity contracts,
and structured settlement annuities) and in each case who:
a. Are residents; or
b. Are not residents, but only under all of the following conditions:
1. The insurer which issued such policies or contracts is domiciled in this State;
2. The states in which the persons reside have associations similar to the Association created by this chapter;
3. The persons are not eligible for coverage by an association in any other state due to the fact that the insurer was not
licensed in the state at the time specified in the state's guaranty association law.
(3) For unallocated annuity contracts specified in subsection (b) of this section, paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section
shall not apply, and this chapter shall (except as provided in paragraphs (a)(5) and (6) of this section) provide coverage
to:
a. Persons who are the owners of the unallocated annuity contracts if the contracts are issued to or in connection with a
specific benefit plan whose plan sponsor has its principal place of business in this State; and
b. Persons who are owners of unallocated annuity contracts issued to or in connection with government lotteries if the owners
are residents.
(4) For structured settlement annuities specified in subsection (b) of this section, paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section
shall not apply, and this chapter shall (except as provided in paragraphs (a)(5) and (6) of this section) provide coverage
to a person who is a payee under a structured settlement annuity (or beneficiary of a payee if the payee is deceased), if
the payee:
a. Is a resident, regardless of where the contract owner resides; or
b. Is not a resident, but only under both of the following conditions:
1.A. The contract owner of the structured settlement annuity is a resident; or
B. The contract owner of the structured settlement annuity is not a resident, but i. The insurer that issued the structured
settlement annuity is domiciled in this State; and ii. The state in which the contract owner resides has an association similar
to the Association created by this chapter; and
2. Neither the payee (or beneficiary) nor the contract owner is eligible for coverage by the association of the state in which
the payee or contract owner resides.
(5) This chapter shall not provide coverage to:
a. A person who is a payee (or beneficiary) of a contract owner resident of this State if the payee (or beneficiary) is afforded
any coverage by the association of another state; or
b. A person covered under paragraph (a)(3) of this section if any coverage is provided by the association of another state
to the person.
(6) This chapter is intended to provide coverage to a person who is a resident of this State and, in special circumstances,
to a nonresident. In order to avoid duplicate coverage, if a person who would otherwise receive coverage under this chapter
is provided coverage under the laws of any other state, the person shall not be provided coverage under this chapter. In determining
the application of the provisions of this paragraph in situations where a person could be covered by the association of more
than 1 state, whether as an owner, payee, beneficiary or assignee, this chapter shall be construed in conjunction with other
state laws to result in coverage by only one association.
(b)(1) This chapter shall provide coverage to the persons specified in subsection (a) of this section for direct, nongroup
life, health or annuity policies or contracts and supplemental contracts to any of these, for certificates under direct group
policies and contracts, and for unallocated annuity contracts issued by member insurers except as limited by this chapter.
Annuity contracts and certificates under group annuity contracts include but are not limited to guaranteed investment contracts,
deposit administration contracts, unallocated funding agreements, structured settlement annuities, annuities issued to or
in connection with government lotteries, and any immediate or deferred annuity contracts.
(2) This chapter shall not provide coverage for the following:
a. Any portion of a policy or contract not guaranteed by the insurer or under which the risk is borne by the policy or contract
owner;
b. Any policy or contract of reinsurance unless assumption certificates have been issued pursuant to the reinsurance policy
or contract;
c. Any portion of a policy or contract to the extent that the rate of interest on which it is based or the interest rate,
crediting rate or similar factor determined by use of an index or other external reference stated in the policy or contract
employed in calculating returns or changes in value:
1. Averaged over the period of 4 years prior to the date on which the member insurer becomes an impaired or insolvent insurer
under this chapter, whichever is earlier, exceeds the rate of interest determined by subtracting 2 percentage points from
Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average averaged for that same 4-year period or for such lesser period if the policy or contract
was issued less than 4 years before the member insurer becomes an impaired or insolvent insurer under this chapter, whichever
is earlier; and
2. On and after the date on which the member insurer becomes an impaired or insolvent insurer under this chapter, whichever
is earlier, exceeds the rate of interest determined by subtracting 3 percentage points from Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average
as most recently available;
d. Any portion of a policy or contract issued to a plan or program of an employer, association or other person to provide
life, health or annuity benefits to its employees, members or others to the extent that such plan or program is self-funded
or uninsured, including but not limited to benefits payable by an employer, association or other person under any of the following:
1. A multiple employer welfare arrangement as defined in 29 U.S.C. § 1144;
2. A minimum premium group insurance plan;
3. A stop-loss group insurance plan; or
4. An administrative services only contract;
e. Any portion of a policy or contract to the extent that it provides:
1. Dividends or experience rating credits;
2. Voting rights; or
3. Payment of any fees or allowances to any person, including the policy or contract owner, in connection with the service
to or administration of such policy or contract;
f. Any policy or contract issued in this State by a member insurer at a time when it was not licensed or did not have a certificate
of authority to issue such policy or contract in this State;
g. Any unallocated annuity contract issued to or in connection with a benefit plan protected under the federal Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation, regardless of whether the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has yet become liable to make
any payments with respect to the benefit plan;
h. Any portion of any unallocated annuity contract which is not issued to or in connection with a specific employee, union
or association of natural persons benefit plan or a government lottery;
i. A portion of a policy or contract to the extent that the assessments required by § 4409 of this title with respect to the
policy or contract are preempted by federal or state law;
j. An obligation that does not arise under the express written terms of the policy or contract issued by the insurer to the
contract owner or policy owner, including without limitation:
1. Claims based on marketing materials;
2. Claims based on side letters, riders or other documents that were issued by the insurer without meeting applicable policy
form filing or approval requirements;
3. Misrepresentations of or regarding policy benefits;
4. Extracontractual claims; or
5. A claim for penalties or consequential or incidental damages; and
k. A contractual agreement that establishes the member insurer's obligations to provide a book value accounting guaranty for
defined contribution benefit plan participants by reference to a portfolio of assets that is owned by the benefit plan or
its trustee, which in each case is not an affiliate of the member insurer.
l. A portion of a policy or contract to the extent it provides for interest or other changes in value to be determined by
the use of an index or other external reference stated in the policy or contract but which have not been credited to the policy
or contract, or as to which the policy or contract owner's rights are subject to forfeiture, as of the date the member insurer
becomes an impaired or insolvent insurer under this chapter, whichever is earlier. If a policy's or contract's interest or
changes in value are credited less frequently than annually, then for purposes of determining the values that have been credited
and are not subject to forfeiture under paragraph (b)(2)a. of this section, the interest or change in value determined by
using the procedures defined in the policy or contract will be credited as if the contractual date of crediting interest or
changing values was the date of impairment or insolvency, whichever is earlier, and will not be subject to forfeiture.
m. Any employer owned life insurance policy, as defined in § 2704(e) of this title.
n. A policy or contract providing any hospital, medical, prescription drug or other health care benefits pursuant to Part
C or Part D of Subchapter XVIII, Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the U.S.C. (commonly known as Medicare Part C and D) or any regulations
issued pursuant thereto.
(c) The benefits that the Association may become obligated to cover shall in no event exceed the lesser of the following:
(1) The contractual obligations for which the insurer is liable or would have been liable if it were not an impaired or insolvent
insurer; or
(2)a. With respect to any one life, regardless of the number of policies or contracts:
1. $300,000 in life insurance death benefits, but not more than $100,000 in net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values
for life insurance;
2. In health insurance benefits:
A. $100,000 for coverages not defined as disability insurance or basic hospital, medical and surgical insurance or major medical
insurance including any net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values;
B. $300,000 for disability insurance and $300,000 for long-term care insurance. For purposes of this section, "disability
insurance" shall mean the type of policy which pays a monthly or weekly amount if an individual is disabled and cannot work.
"Long-term care insurance" shall have the meaning as defined in § 7103(5) of this title.
C. $500,000 for basic hospital, medical and surgical insurance or major medical insurance For purposes of this section "basic
hospital, medical and surgical insurance" shall mean a policy which pays a certain portion of hospital room and board costs
each day. This type of policy also pays for hospital services and supplies such as x-rays, lab tests, medicine and other items
up to a stated amount. "Major medical insurance" shall mean health insurance to finance the expense of major illness and injury
characterized by large benefits maximums. This type of insurance reimburses the major part of all charges for hospital, doctor,
private nurses, medical appliances, prescribed out-of-hospital treatment, drugs and medicines above an initial deductible.
The insured person as coinsurer pays the remainder; or
3. $250,000 in present value of annuity benefits including net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values.
b. With respect to each individual participating in a governmental retirement benefit plan established under § 401, § 403(b)
or § 457 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 401, § 403(b) or § 457) covered by an unallocated annuity contract,
or the beneficiaries of each such individual if deceased, $250,000 in the aggregate in present value annuity benefits, including
net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values;
c. With respect to each payee of a structured settlement annuity (or beneficiary or beneficiaries of the payee, if deceased),
$250,000 in present value annuity benefits, in the aggregate, including net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values,
if any;
d. However, in no event shall the Association be obligated to cover more than (i) an aggregate of $300,000 in benefits with
respect to any 1 life under paragraphs (c)(2)a., (c)(2)b. and (c)(2)c. of this section except with respect to benefits for
basic hospital, medical and surgical insurance and major medical insurance under paragraph (c)(2)a.2. of this section, in
which case the aggregate liability of the Association shall not exceed $500,000 with respect to any 1 individual; or (ii)
with respect to 1 owner of multiple nongroup policies of life insurance, whether the policy owner is an individual, firm,
corporation or other person, and whether the persons insured are officers, managers, employees or other persons, more than
$1,000,000 in benefits, regardless of the number of policies and contracts held by the owner;
e. With respect to either (i) 1 contract owner provided coverage under paragraph (a)(3)b. of this section; or (ii) 1 plan
sponsor whose plans own directly or in trust 1 or more unallocated annuity contracts not included in paragraph (c)(2)b. of
this section, $1,000,000 in benefits, irrespective of the number of contracts with respect to the contract owner or plan sponsor.
However, in the case where 1 or more unallocated annuity contracts are covered contracts under this chapter and are owned
by a trust or other entity for the benefit of 2 or more plan sponsors, coverage shall be afforded by the Association if the
largest interest in the trust or entity owning the contract or contracts is held by a plan sponsor whose principal place of
business is in this State and in no event shall the Association be obligated to cover more than $1,000,000 in benefits with
respect to all these unallocated contracts.
f. The limitations set forth in this subsection are limitations on the benefits for which the Association is obligated before
taking into account either its subrogation and assignment rights or the extent to which those benefits could be provided out
of the assets of the impaired or insolvent insurer attributable to covered policies. The costs of the Association's obligations
under this chapter may be met by the use of assets attributable to covered policies or reimbursed to the Association pursuant
to its subrogation and assignment rights.
(d) In performing its obligations to provide coverage under § 4408 of this title, the Association shall not be required to
guarantee, assume, reinsure or perform, or cause to be guaranteed, assumed, reinsured or performed, the contractual obligations
of the insolvent or impaired insurer under a covered policy or contract that do not materially affect the economic values
or economic benefits of the covered policy or contract.
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 161, § 4; 68 Del. Laws, c. 55, § 2; 69 Del. Laws, c. 462, § 5; 73 Del. Laws, c. 327, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 215, §§ 1-5.;
§ 4404. Construction.
This chapter shall be liberally construed to effect the purpose under § 4402 of this title which shall constitute and aid
and guide to interpretation.
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1.;
§ 4405. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1) "Account" means either of the 2 accounts created under § 4406 of this title.
(2) "Association" means the Delaware Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association created under § 4406 of this title.
(3) "Authorized assessment" or "authorized," when used in the context of assessments, means a resolution by the board of directors
has been passed whereby an assessment will be called immediately or in the future from member insurers for a specified amount.
An assessment is authorized when the resolution is passed.
(4) "Benefit plan" means a specific employee, union or association of natural persons benefit plan.
(5) "Called assessment" or "called," when used in the context of assessments, means that a notice has been issued by the Association
to member insurers requiring that an authorized assessment be paid within the time frame set forth within the notice. An authorized
assessment becomes a called assessment when notice is mailed by the Association to member insurers.
(6) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Insurance of this State.
(7) "Contractual obligation" means an obligation under a policy or contract or certificate under a group policy or contract,
or portion thereof, for which coverage is provided under § 4403 of this title.
(8) "Covered policy" means a policy or contract or portion of a policy or contract for which coverage is provided under §
4403 of this title.
(9) "Extracontractual claims" shall include, for example, claims relating to bad faith in the payment of claims, punitive
or exemplary damages, or attorneys' fees and costs.
(10) "Impaired insurer" means a member insurer which, after the effective date of this chapter, is not an insolvent insurer,
and is placed under an order of rehabilitation or conservation by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(11) "Insolvent insurer" means a member insurer which after the effective date of this chapter, is placed under an order of
liquidation by a court of competent jurisdiction with a finding of insolvency.
(12) "Member insurer" means an insurer licensed or that holds a certificate of authority to transact in this State any kind
of insurance for which coverage is provided under § 4403 of this title, and includes an insurer whose license or certificate
of authority in this State may have been suspended, revoked, not renewed or voluntarily withdrawn, but does not include:
a. A hospital or medical service organization, whether profit or nonprofit;
b. A health maintenance organization;
c. A fraternal benefit society;
d. A mandatory state pooling plan;
e. A mutual assessment company or other person that operates on an assessment basis;
f. An insurance exchange;
g. An organization which has a certificate or license limited to the issuance of charitable gift annuities; or
h. An entity similar to any of the above.
(13) "Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average" means the Monthly Average Corporates as published by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc., or any successor thereto.
(14) "Owner" of a policy or contract and "policy owner" and "contract owner" mean the person who is identified as the legal
owner under the terms of the policy or contract or who is otherwise vested with legal title to the policy or contract through
a valid assignment completed in accordance with the terms of the policy or contract and properly recorded as the owner on
the books of the insurer. The terms owner, contract owner and policy owner do not include persons with a mere beneficial interest
in a policy or contract.
(15) "Person" means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, governmental body or
entity or voluntary organization.
(16) "Plan sponsor" means:
a. The employer in the case of a benefit plan established or maintained by a single employer;
b. The employee organization in the case of a benefit plan established or maintained by an employee organization; or
c. In a case of a benefit plan established or maintained by 2 or more employers or jointly by 1 or more employers and 1 or
more employee organizations, the association, committee, joint board of trustees, or other similar group of representatives
of the parties who establish or maintain the benefit plan.
(17) "Premiums" means amounts or considerations (by whatever name called) received on covered policies or contracts less returned
premiums, considerations and deposits and less dividends and experience credits. "Premiums" does not include amounts or considerations
received for policies or contracts or for the portions of policies or contracts for which coverage is not provided under §
4403(b) of this title except that assessable premium shall not be reduced on account of § 4403(b)(2)c. of this title relating
to interest limitations and § 4403(c)(2) of this title relating to limitations with respect to 1 individual, 1 participant
and 1 contract owner. "Premiums" shall not include:
a. Premiums in excess of $1,000,000 on an unallocated annuity contract not issued under a governmental retirement benefit
plan (or its trustee) established under § 401, § 403(b) or § 457 of the United States Internal Revenue Code [26 U.S.C. § 401,
§ 403(b) or § 457], or
b. With respect to multiple nongroup policies of life insurance owned by 1 owner, whether the policy owner is an individual,
firm, corporation or other person, and whether the persons insured are officers, managers, employees or other persons, premiums
in excess of $1,000,000 with respect to these policies or contracts, regardless of the number of policies or contracts held
by the owner.
(18)a. "Principal place of business" of a plan sponsor or a person other than a natural person means the single state in which
the natural persons who establish policy for the direction, control and coordination of the operations of the entity as a
whole primarily exercise that function, determined by the Association in its reasonable judgment by considering the following
factors:
1. The state in which the primary executive and administrative headquarters of the entity is located;
2. The state in which the principal office of the chief executive officer of the entity is located;
3. The state in which the board of directors (or similar governing person or persons) of the entity conducts the majority
of its meetings;
4. The state in which the executive or management committee of the board of directors (or similar governing person or persons)
of the entity conducts the majority of its meeting;
5. The state from which the management of the overall operations of the entity is directed; and
6. In the case of a benefit plan sponsored by affiliated companies comprising a consolidated corporation, the state in which
the holding company or controlling affiliate has its principal place of business as determined using the above factors.
However, in the case of a plan sponsor, if more than 50 percent of the participants in the benefit plan are employed in a
single state, that state shall be deemed to be the principal place of business of the plan sponsor.
b. The principal place of business of a plan sponsor of a benefit plan described in paragraph (16)c. of this section shall
be deemed to be the principal place of business of the association, committee, joint board of trustees or other similar group
of representatives of the parties who establish or maintain the benefit plan that, in lieu of a specific or clear designation
of a principal place of business, shall be deemed to be the principal place of business of the employer or employee organization
that has the largest investment in the benefit plan in question.
(19) "Receivership court" means the court in the insolvent or impaired insurer's state having jurisdiction over the conservation,
rehabilitation or liquidation of the insurer.
(20) "Resident" means a person to whom a contractual obligation is owed and who resides in this State on the date of entry
of a court order that determines a member insurer to be an impaired insurer or a court order that determines a member insurer
to be an insolvent insurer, whichever occurs first. A person may be a resident of only 1 state, which in the case of a person
other than a natural person shall be its principal place of business. Citizens of the United States that are either (i) residents
of foreign countries, or (ii) residents of United States possessions, territories or protectorates that do not have an association
similar to the Association created by this chapter shall be deemed residents of the state of domicile of the insurer that
issued the policies or contracts.
(21) "Structured settlement annuity" means an annuity purchased in order to fund periodic payments for a plaintiff or other
claimant in payment for or with respect to personal injury suffered by the plaintiff or other claimant.
(22) "State" means a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a United States possession, territory or protectorate.
(23) "Supplemental contract" means a written agreement entered into for the distribution of proceeds under a life, health
or annuity policy or contract.
(24) "Unallocated annuity contract" means an annuity contract or group annuity certificate which is not issued to and owned
by an individual, except to the extent of any annuity benefits guaranteed to an individual by an insurer under the contract
or certificate."
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 223, § 28; 68 Del. Laws, c. 55, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 547, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 327, § 2.;
§ 4406. Delaware Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association -- Created; accounts; supervision.
(a) There is created a nonprofit legal entity to be known as the Delaware Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association.
All member insurers shall be and remain members of the Association as a condition of their authority to transact insurance
in this State. The Association shall perform its functions under the plan of operation established and approved under § 4410
of this title, and shall exercise its powers through a Board of Directors established under § 4407 of this title. For purposes
of administration and assessment, the Association shall maintain 2 accounts:
(1) The life insurance and annuity account, which includes the following subaccounts:
a. Life insurance account;
b. Annuity account, which shall include annuity contracts owned by a governmental retirement plan (or its trustee) established
under § 401, § 403(b) or § 457 of the United States Internal Revenue Code [26 U.S.C. § 401, § 403(b) or § 457], but shall
otherwise exclude unallocated annuities; and
c. Unallocated annuity account, which shall exclude contracts owned by a governmental retirement benefit plan (or its trustee)
established under § 401, § 403(b) or § 457 of the United States Internal Revenue Code [26 U.S.C. § 401, § 403(b) or § 457].
(2) The health insurance account.
(b) The Association shall come under the immediate supervision of the Commissioner and shall be subject to the applicable
provisions of the insurance laws of this State.
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 547, § 2; 73 Del. Laws, c. 327, § 3.;
§ 4407. Same -- Board of Directors.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Association shall consist of not less than 5 nor more than 9 member insurers serving terms
as established in the plan of operation. The members of the Board shall be selected by member insurers subject to the approval
of the Commissioner. Vacancies on the Board shall be filled for the remaining period of the term by a majority vote of the
remaining Board members, subject to the approval of the Commissioner. To select the initial Board of Directors, and initially
organize the Association, the Commissioner shall give notice to all member insurers of the time and place of the organizational
meeting. In determining voting rights at the organizational meeting each member insurer shall be entitled to 1 vote in person
or by proxy. If the Board of Directors is not selected within 60 days after notice of the organizational meeting, the Commissioner
may appoint the initial members.
(b) In approving selections or in appointing members to the Board, the Commissioner shall consider, among other things, whether
all member insurers are fairly represented.
(c) Members of the Board may be reimbursed from the assets of the Association for expenses incurred by them as members of
the Board of Directors but members of the Board shall not otherwise be compensated by the Association for their services.
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1.;
§ 4408. Powers and duties of the Association.
(a) If a member insurer is an impaired insurer, the Association may, in its discretion, and subject to any conditions imposed
by the Association that do not impair the contractual obligations of the impaired insurer and that are approved by the Commissioner:
(1) Guarantee, assume or reinsure, or cause to be guaranteed, assumed, or reinsured, any or all of the policies or contracts
of the impaired insurer; or
(2) Provide such moneys, pledges, loans, notes, guarantees or other means as are proper to effectuate paragraph (a)(1) of
this section and assure payment of the contractual obligations of the impaired insurer pending action under paragraph (a)(1)
of this section.
(b) If a member insurer is an insolvent insurer, the Association shall, in its discretion, either:
(1)a.1. Guaranty, assume or reinsure, or cause to be guaranteed, assumed or reinsured, the policies or contracts of the insolvent
insurer; or
2. Assure payment of the contractual obligations of the insolvent insurer; and
b. Provide moneys, pledges, loans, notes, guarantees or other means reasonably necessary to discharge the Association's duties;
or
(2) Provide benefits and coverages in accordance with the following provisions:
a. With respect to life and health insurance policies and annuities, assure payment of benefits for premiums identical to
the premiums and benefits (except for terms of conversation and renewability) that would have been payable under the policies
or contracts of the insolvent insurer, for claims incurred:
1. With respect to group policies and contracts, not later than the earlier of the next renewal date under those policies
or contracts or 45 days, but in no event less than 30 days, after the date on which the Association becomes obligated with
respect to the policies and contracts;
2. With respect to nongroup policies, contracts and annuities, not later than the earlier of the next renewal date (if any)
under the policies or contracts or 1 year, but in no event less than 30 days from the date on which the Association becomes
obligated with respect to the policies or contracts;
b. Make diligent efforts to provide all known insureds or annuitants (for nongroup policies and contracts), or group policy
owners with respect to group policies and contracts, 30 days notice of the termination (pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)a. of
this section) of the benefits provided;
c. With respect to nongroup life and health insurance policies and annuities covered by the Association, make available to
each known insured or annuitant, or owner if other than the insured or annuitant, and with respect to an individual formerly
insured or formerly an annuitant under a group policy who is not eligible for replacement group coverage, make available substitute
coverage on an individual basis in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b)(2)d. of this section, if the insureds or
annuitants had a right under law or the terminated policy or annuity to convert coverage to individual coverage or to continue
an individual policy or annuity in force until a specified age or for a specified time during which the insurer had no right
unilaterally to make changes in any provision of the policy or annuity or had a right only to make changes in premium by class;
(3)a. In providing the substitute coverage required under paragraph (b)(2)c. of this section, the Association may offer either
to reissue the terminated coverage or to issue an alternative policy.
b. Alternative or reissued policies shall be offered without requiring evidence of insurability, and shall not provide for
any waiting period or exclusion that would not have applied under the terminated policy.
c. The Association may reinsure any alternative or reissued policy.
(4)a. Alternative policies adopted by the Association shall be subject to the approval of the domiciliary insurance commissioner
and the receivership court. The Association may adopt alternative policies of various types for future issuance without regard
to any particular impairment or insolvency.
b. Alternative policies shall contain at least the minimum statutory provisions required in this State and provide benefits
that shall not be unreasonable in relation to the premium charged. The Association shall set the premium in accordance with
a table of rates that it shall adopt. The premium shall reflect the amount of insurance to be provided and the age and class
of risk of each insured, but shall not reflect any changes in the health of the insured after the original policy was last
underwritten.
c. Any alternative policy issued by the Association shall provide coverage of a type similar to that of the policy issued
by the impaired or insolvent insurer, as determined by the Association.
(5) If the Association elects to reissue terminated coverage at a premium rate different from that charged under the terminated
policy, the premium shall be set by the Association in accordance with the amount of insurance provided and the age and class
of risk, subject to approval of the domiciliary insurance commissioner and the receivership court.
(6) The Association's obligations with respect to coverage under any policy of the impaired or insolvent insurer or under
any reissued or alternative policy shall cease on the date the coverage or policy is replaced by another similar policy by
the policy owner, the insured or the Association.
(7) When proceeding under paragraph (b)(2) of this section with respect to a policy or contract carrying guaranteed minimum
interest rates, the Association shall assure the payment or crediting of a rate of interest consistent with § 4403(b)(2)c.
of this title.
(c) Nonpayment of premiums within 31 days after the date required under the terms of any guaranteed, assumed, alternative
or reissued policy or contract or substitute coverage shall terminate the Association's obligations under the policy or coverage
under this chapter with respect to the policy or coverage, except with respect to any claims incurred or any net cash surrender
value which may be due in accordance with this chapter.
(d)(1) Premiums due for coverage after entry of an order of liquidation of an insolvent insurer shall belong to and be payable
at the direction of the Association, and the Association shall be liable for unearned premiums due to policy or contract owners
arising after the entry of the order.
(2) If the liquidator of an insolvent insurer requests, the Association shall provide a report to the liquidator regarding
such premiums collected by the Association.
(e) The protection provided by this chapter shall not apply where any guaranty protection is provided to residents of this
State by the laws of the domiciliary state or jurisdiction of the impaired or insolvent insurer other than this State.
(f) In carrying out its duties under subsection (b) of this section, the Association may:
(1) Subject to approval by a court in this State, impose permanent policy or contract liens in connection with a guarantee,
assumption or reinsurance agreement if the Association finds that the amounts which can be assessed under this chapter are
less than the amounts needed to assure full and prompt performance of the Association's duties under this chapter or that
the economic or financial conditions as they affect member insurers are sufficiently adverse to render the imposition of such
permanent policy or contract liens to be in the public interest;
(2) Subject to approval by a court in this State, impose temporary moratoriums or liens on payments of cash values and policy
loans or any other right to withdraw funds held in conjunction with policies or contracts, in addition to any contractual
provisions for deferral of cash or policy loan value. In addition, in the event of a temporary moratorium or moratorium charge
imposed by the receivership court on payment of cash values or policy loans or on any other right to withdraw funds held in
conjunction with policies or contracts out of the assets of the impaired or insolvent insurer, the Association may defer the
payment of cash values, policy loans or other rights by the Association for the period of the moratorium or moratorium charge
imposed by the receivership court, except for claims covered by the Association to be paid in accordance with a hardship procedure
established by the liquidator or rehabilitator and approved by the receivership court.
(g) A deposit in this State held pursuant to law or required by the Commissioner for the benefit of creditors, including policy
owners, not turned over to the domiciliary liquidator upon the entry of a final order of liquidation or order approving a
rehabilitation plan of an insurer domiciled in this State or in a reciprocal state, shall be promptly paid to the Association.
The Association shall be entitled to retain a portion of any amount so paid to it equal to the percentage determined by dividing
the aggregate amount of policy owners claims related to that insolvency for which the Association has provided statutory benefits
by the aggregate amount of all policy owners' claims in this State related to that insolvency and shall remit to the domiciliary
receiver the amount so paid to the Association less the amount retained pursuant to this subsection. Any amount so paid to
the Association and retained by it shall be treated as a distribution of estate assets pursuant to § 5911 of this title or
similar provision of the state of domicile of the impaired or insolvent insurer.
(h) If the Association fails to act within a reasonable period of time with respect to an insolvent insurer, as provided in
subsection (b) of this section, the Commissioner shall have the powers and duties of the Association under this chapter with
respect to the insolvent insurer.
(i) The Association may render assistance and advice to the Commissioner, upon the Commissioner's request, concerning rehabilitation,
payment of claims, continuance of coverage, or the performance of other contractual obligations of an impaired or insolvent
insurer.
(j) The Association shall have standing to appear or intervene before a court or agency in this State with jurisdiction over
an impaired or insolvent insurer concerning which the Association is or may become obligated under this chapter or with jurisdiction
over any person or property against which the Association may have rights through subrogation or otherwise. Standing shall
extend to all matters germane to the powers and duties of the Association, including, but not limited to, proposals for reinsuring,
modifying or guaranteeing the policies or contracts of the impaired or insolvent insurer and the determination of the policies
or contracts and contractual obligations. The Association shall also have the right to appear or intervene before a court
or agency in another state with jurisdiction over an impaired or insolvent insurer for which the Association is or may become
obligated or with jurisdiction over any person or property against whom the Association may have rights through subrogation
or otherwise.
(k)(1) A person receiving benefits under this chapter shall be deemed to have assigned the rights under, and any causes of
action against any person for losses arising under, resulting from or otherwise relating to, the covered policy or contract
to the Association to the extent of the benefits received because of this chapter, whether the benefits are payments of or
on account of contractual obligations, continuation of coverage or provision of substitute or alternative coverages. The Association
may require an assignment to it of such rights and cause of action by any payee, policy or contract owner, beneficiary, insured
or annuitant as a condition precedent to the receipt of any right or benefits conferred by this chapter upon the person.
(2) The subrogation rights of the Association under this subsection shall have the same priority against the assets of the
impaired or insolvent insurer as that possessed by the person entitled to receive benefits under this chapter.
(3) In addition to paragraphs (k)(1) and (2) of this section, the Association shall have all common-law rights of subrogation
and any other equitable or legal remedy that would have been available to the impaired or insolvent insurer or owner, beneficiary
or payee of a policy or contract with respect to the policy or contracts (including without limitation, in the case of a structured
settlement annuity, any rights of the owner, beneficiary or payee of the annuity, to the extent of benefits received pursuant
this chapter, against a person originally or by succession responsible for the losses arising from the personal injury relating
to the annuity or payment therefor, excepting any such person responsible solely by reason of serving as an assignee in respect
of a qualified assignment under Internal Revenue Code § 130 [26 U.S.C. § 130]).
(4) If the preceding provisions of this subsection are invalid or ineffective with respect to any person or claim for any
reason, the amount payable by the Association with respect to the related covered obligations shall be reduced by the amount
realized by any other person with respect to the person or claim that is attributable to the policies (or portion thereof)
covered by the Association.
(5) If the Association has provided benefits with respect to a covered obligation and a person recovers amounts as to which
the Association has rights as described in the preceding paragraphs of this subsection, the person shall pay to the Association
the portion of the recovery attributable to the policies (or portion thereof) covered by the Association.
(l) In addition to the rights and powers elsewhere in this chapter, the Association may:
(1) Enter into such contracts as are necessary or proper to carry out the provisions and purposes of this chapter;
(2) Sue or be sued, including taking any legal actions necessary or proper to recover any unpaid assessments under § 4409
of this title and to settle claims or potential claims against it;
(3) Borrow money to effect the purposes of this chapter; any notes or other evidence of indebtedness of the Association not
in default shall be legal investments for domestic insurers and may be carried as admitted assets;
(4) Employ or retain such persons as are necessary or appropriate to handle the financial transactions of the Association,
and to perform such other functions as become necessary or proper under this chapter;
(5) Take such legal action as may be necessary or appropriate to avoid or recover payment of improper claims;
(6) Exercise, for the purposes of this chapter and to the extent approved by the Commissioner, the powers of a domestic life
or health insurer; but in no case may the Association issue insurance policies or annuity contracts other than those issued
to perform its obligations under this chapter;
(7) Organize itself as a corporation or in other legal form permitted by the laws of the State;
(8) Request information from a person seeking coverage from the Association in order to aid the Association in determining
its obligations under this chapter with respect to the person; and the person shall promptly comply with the request; and
(9) Take other necessary or appropriate action to discharge its duties and obligations under this chapter or to exercise its
powers under this chapter.
(m) The Association may join an organization of 1 or more other state associations of similar purposes to further the purposes
and administer the powers and duties of the Association.
(n)(1) At any time within 180 days of the date of the order of liquidation, the Association may elect to succeed to the rights
and obligations of the ceding member insurer that relate to policies or annuities covered (in whole or in part) by the Association,
in each case under any 1 or more reinsurance contract or contracts entered into by the insolvent insurer and its reinsurers
and selected by the Association. Any such assumption shall be effective as of the date of the order of liquidation. The election
shall be effected by the Association or the National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations (NOLHGA)
on its behalf sending written notice, return receipt requested, to the affected reinsurers.
(2) To facilitate the earliest practicable decision about whether to assume any of the contracts of reinsurance and to protect
the financial position of the estate, the receiver and each reinsurer of the ceding member insurer shall make available, upon
request, to the Association or to NOLHGA on its behalf as soon as possible after commencement of formal delinquency proceedings:
a. Copies of in-force contracts of reinsurance and all related files and records relevant to the determination of whether
such contracts should be assumed; and
b. Notices of any defaults under the reinsurance contracts or any known event or condition which, with the passage of time,
could become a default under the reinsurance contracts.
(3) The following paragraphs (n)(3)a. through f. of this section shall apply to reinsurance contracts so assumed by the Association:
a. The Association shall be responsible for all unpaid premiums due under the reinsurance contracts for periods both before
and after the date of the order of liquidation, and shall be responsible for the performance of all other obligations to be
performed after the date of the order of liquidation, in each case which relate to policies or annuities covered (in whole
or in part) by the Association. The Association may charge policies or annuities covered in part by the Association, through
reasonable allocation methods, the costs for reinsurance in excess of the obligations of the Association and shall provide
notice and an accounting of these charges to the liquidator.
b. The Association shall be entitled to any and all amounts payable by the reinsurer under the reinsurance contracts with
respect to losses or events that occur in periods after the date of the order of liquidation and that relate to policies or
annuities covered (in whole or in part) by the Association, provided that, upon receipt of any such amounts the Association
shall be obligated to pay to the beneficiary under the policy or annuity on account of which the amounts were paid a portion
of the amount equal to the lesser of:
1. The amount received by the Association; and
2. The excess of the amount received by the Association, over the amount equal to the benefits paid by the Association on
account of the policy or annuity less the retention of the insurer applicable to the loss or event.
c. Within 30 days following the Association's election (the "election date"), the Association and each reinsurer under contracts
assumed by the Association shall calculate the net balance due to or from the Association under each reinsurance contract
as of the election date with respect to policies or annuities covered, in whole or in part, by the Association, which calculation
shall give full credit to all items paid by either the insurer or its receiver or the reinsurer prior to the election date.
The reinsurer shall pay the receiver any amounts due for losses or events prior to the date of the order of liquidation, subject
to any set-off for premiums unpaid for periods prior to the date, and the Association or reinsurer shall pay any remaining
balance due the other, in each case within 5 days of the completion of the aforementioned calculation. Any disputes over the
amounts due to either the Association or the reinsurer shall be resolved by arbitration pursuant to the terms of the affected
reinsurance contracts or, if the contract contains no arbitration clause, as otherwise provided by law. If the receiver has
received any amounts due the Association pursuant to paragraph (n)(3)b. of this section, the receiver shall remit the same
to the Association as promptly as practicable.
d.1. If the Association or the receiver, on the Associations' behalf, within 60 days of the election date, pays the unpaid
premiums due for periods both before and after the election date that relate to policies or annuities covered (in whole or
in part) by the Association, the reinsurer shall not be entitled to terminate the reinsurance contracts for failure to pay
a premium insofar as the reinsurance contracts relate to policies or annuities covered, in whole or in part, by the Association,
and shall not be entitled to set off any unpaid amounts due under other contracts, or unpaid amounts due from parties other
than the Association, against amounts due the Association.
2. During the period from the date of the order of liquidation until the election date (or, if the election date does not
occur, until 180 days after the date of the order of liquidation):
Neither the Association nor the reinsurer shall have any rights or obligations under reinsurance contracts that the Association
has the right to assume under paragraph(n)(1) of this section, whether for periods prior to or after the date of the order
of liquidation; and II. The reinsurer, the receiver and the Association shall, to the extent practicable, provide each other
data and records reasonably requested;
B. Provided that once the Association has elected to assume a reinsurance contract, the parties' rights and obligations shall
be governed by paragraph (n)(1) of this section.
3. If the Association does not elect to assume a reinsurance contract by the election date pursuant to paragraph (n)(1) of
this section, the Association shall have no rights or obligations, in each case for periods both before and after the date
of the order of liquidation, with respect to the reinsurance contract.
4. When policies or annuities, or covered obligations with respect thereto, are transferred to an assuming insurer, reinsurance
on the policies or annuities may also be transferred by the Association, in the case of contracts assumed under paragraph
(n)(1) of this section, subject to the following:
A. Unless the reinsurer and the assuming insurer agree otherwise, the reinsurance contract that is transferred shall not cover
any new policies of insurance or annuities in addition to those transferred;
B. The obligations described in paragraph (n)(3)d.1. of this section shall no longer apply with respect to matters arising
after the effective date of the transfer; and
C. Notice shall be given in writing, return receipt requested, by the transferring party to the affected reinsurer not less
than 30 days prior to the effective date of the transfer.
e. The provisions of this subsection (n) shall supersede the provisions of any law or of any affected reinsurance contract
that provides for or requires any payment of reinsurance proceeds, on account of losses or events that occur in periods after
the date of the order of liquidation, to the receiver of the insolvent insurer or any other person. The receiver shall remain
entitled to any amounts payable by the reinsurer under the reinsurance contracts with respect to losses or events that occur
in periods prior to the date of the order of liquidation, subject to applicable setoff provisions.
f. Except as otherwise provided in this section, nothing in this subsection (n) shall:
1. Alter or modify the terms and conditions of any reinsurance contract;
2. Abrogate or limit any rights of any reinsurer to claim that it is entitled to rescind a reinsurance contract;
3. Provide a policyholder or beneficiary with an independent cause of action against a reinsurer that is not otherwise set
forth in the reinsurance contract;
4. Limit or affect the Association's rights as a creditor of the estate against the assets of the estate;
5. Apply to reinsurance agreements covering property or casualty risks.
(o) The Board of Directors of the Association shall have discretion and may exercise reasonable business judgment to determine
the means by which the Association is to provide the benefits of this chapter in an economical and efficient manner.
(p) Where the Association has arranged or offered to provide the benefits of this chapter to a covered person under a plan
or arrangement that fulfills the Association's obligations under this chapter, the person shall not be entitled to benefits
from the Association in addition to or other than those provided under the plan or arrangement.
(q) Venue in a suit against the Association arising under the chapter shall be in New Castle County. The Association shall
not be required to give an appeal bond in an appeal that relates to a cause of action arising under this chapter.
(r) In carrying out its duties in connection with guaranteeing, assuming or reinsuring policies or contracts under subsection
(a) or (b) of this section, the Association may, subject to approval of the receivership court, issue substitute coverage
for a policy or contract that provides an interest rate, crediting rate or similar factor determined by use of an index or
other external reference stated in the policy or contract employed in calculating returns or changes in value by issuing an
alternative policy or contract in accordance with the following provisions:
(1) In lieu of the index or other external reference provided for in the original policy or contract, the alternative policy
or contract provides for (i) a fixed interest rate or (ii) payment of dividends with minimum guarantees or (iii) a different
method for calculating interest or changes in value;
(2) There is no requirement for evidence of insurability, waiting period or other exclusion that would not have applied under
the replaced policy or contract; and
(3) The alternative policy or contract is substantially similar to the replaced policy or contract in all other materials
terms.
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1; 65 Del. Laws, c. 162, § 1; 65 Del. Laws, c. 410, §§ 1, 2; 67 Del. Laws, c. 223, § 29; 68 Del. Laws, c. 55, § 4; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 327, § 4; 77 Del. Laws, c. 215, §§ 6-9.;
§ 4409. Assessments.
(a) For the purpose of providing the funds necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the Association, the Board of Directors
shall assess the member insurers, separately for each account, at such time and for such amounts as the Board finds necessary.
Assessments shall be due not less than 30 days after prior written notice to the member insurers and shall accrue interest
at 10% per annum on and after the due date.
(b) There shall be 3 classes of assessment as follows:
(1) Class A assessments, shall be authorized and called for the purpose of meeting administrative costs and other expenses.
Class A assessments may be authorized and called whether or not related to a particular impaired or insolvent insurer.
(2) Class B assessments shall be authorized and called annually to provide for the oversight activity of the Commissioner,
thereby minimizing the need to make class C assessments.
(3) Class C assessments shall be authorized and called to the extent necessary to carry out the duties of the Association
under this title with regards to an impaired or insolvent member insurer.
(c)(1) The amount of any class A assessment shall be determined by the Board and may be authorized and called on a pro rata
or non-pro rata basis. If pro rata, the Board may provide that it be credited against future class C assessments. The total
of all non-pro rata assessments shall not exceed $300 per member insurer in any 1 calendar year. The amount of class C assessment
shall be allocated for assessment purposes among the accounts pursuant to an allocation formula which may be based on the
premiums or reserves of the impaired or insolvent insurer or any other standard deemed by the Board in its sole discretion
as being fair and reasonable under the circumstances.
(2) The amount of a class B assessment shall be determined by the Commissioner who shall so notify the Association not later
than July 31 of the calendar year in which the assessment is to be made. A class B assessment may be made on a non-pro rata
basis, but the amount shall not exceed one tenth of 1% of the members' premium written during the calendar year preceding
the assessment. The amount assessed in conjunction with class C assessments shall not result in members being assessed more
than 2% of the premiums written in the applicable year. The proceeds of this assessment shall be paid by the Association into
the Commissioner's Regulatory Revolving Fund.
(3) Class C assessments against member insurers for each account and subaccount shall be in the proportion that the premiums
received on business in this State by each assessed member insurer on policies or contracts covered by each account for the
3 most recent calendar years for which information is available preceding the year in which the insurer became impaired or
insolvent, as the case may be, bears to such premiums received in this State for such calendar years by all assessed member
insurers.
(4) Assessments for funds to meet the requirements of the Association with respect to an impaired or insolvent insurer shall
not be authorized or called until necessary to implement the purposes of this chapter. Classification of assessments under
subsection (b) of this section and computation of assessments under this subsection shall be made with a reasonable degree
of accuracy, recognizing that exact determination may not always be possible. The Association shall notify each member insurer
of its anticipated pro rata share of an authorized assessment not yet called within 180 days after the assessment is authorized.
(d) The Association may abate or defer, in whole or in part, the assessment of the member insurer if, in the opinion of the
Board, payment of the assessment would endanger the ability of the member insurer to fulfill its contractual obligations.
In the event an assessment against a member insurer is abated or deferred in whole or in part, the amount by which such assessment
is abated or deferred may be assessed against the other member insurers in a manner consistent with the basis for assessments
set forth in this section. Once the conditions which caused a deferral have been removed or rectified, the member insurer
shall pay all assessments that were deferred pursuant to a repayment plan approved by the Association.
(e)(1)a. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (e)(1)b. of this section, the total of all assessmen
CHAPTER 44. DELAWARE LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION ACT
§ 4401. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Delaware Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Act".
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1.;
§ 4402. Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect, subject to certain limitations, the persons specified in § 4403(a) of this title
against failure in the performance of contractual obligations, under life and health insurance policies and annuity contracts
specified in § 4403(b) of this title, because of the impairment or insolvency of the member insurer that issued the policies
or contracts. To provide this protection, an association of insurers is created to pay benefits and to continue coverage
as limited herein, and members of the Association are subject to assessment to provide funds to carry out the purpose of this
chapter.
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1; 68 Del. Laws, c. 55, § 1.;
§ 4403. Coverage and limitations.
(a) This chapter shall provide coverage for the policies and contracts specified in subsection (b) of this section:
(1) To persons who, regardless of where they reside (except for nonresident certificate holders under group policies or contracts),
are the beneficiaries, assignees or payees of the persons covered under paragraph (a)(2) of this section;
(2) To persons who are owners of or certificate holders under such policies or contracts (other than unallocated annuity contracts,
and structured settlement annuities) and in each case who:
a. Are residents; or
b. Are not residents, but only under all of the following conditions:
1. The insurer which issued such policies or contracts is domiciled in this State;
2. The states in which the persons reside have associations similar to the Association created by this chapter;
3. The persons are not eligible for coverage by an association in any other state due to the fact that the insurer was not
licensed in the state at the time specified in the state's guaranty association law.
(3) For unallocated annuity contracts specified in subsection (b) of this section, paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section
shall not apply, and this chapter shall (except as provided in paragraphs (a)(5) and (6) of this section) provide coverage
to:
a. Persons who are the owners of the unallocated annuity contracts if the contracts are issued to or in connection with a
specific benefit plan whose plan sponsor has its principal place of business in this State; and
b. Persons who are owners of unallocated annuity contracts issued to or in connection with government lotteries if the owners
are residents.
(4) For structured settlement annuities specified in subsection (b) of this section, paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section
shall not apply, and this chapter shall (except as provided in paragraphs (a)(5) and (6) of this section) provide coverage
to a person who is a payee under a structured settlement annuity (or beneficiary of a payee if the payee is deceased), if
the payee:
a. Is a resident, regardless of where the contract owner resides; or
b. Is not a resident, but only under both of the following conditions:
1.A. The contract owner of the structured settlement annuity is a resident; or
B. The contract owner of the structured settlement annuity is not a resident, but i. The insurer that issued the structured
settlement annuity is domiciled in this State; and ii. The state in which the contract owner resides has an association similar
to the Association created by this chapter; and
2. Neither the payee (or beneficiary) nor the contract owner is eligible for coverage by the association of the state in which
the payee or contract owner resides.
(5) This chapter shall not provide coverage to:
a. A person who is a payee (or beneficiary) of a contract owner resident of this State if the payee (or beneficiary) is afforded
any coverage by the association of another state; or
b. A person covered under paragraph (a)(3) of this section if any coverage is provided by the association of another state
to the person.
(6) This chapter is intended to provide coverage to a person who is a resident of this State and, in special circumstances,
to a nonresident. In order to avoid duplicate coverage, if a person who would otherwise receive coverage under this chapter
is provided coverage under the laws of any other state, the person shall not be provided coverage under this chapter. In determining
the application of the provisions of this paragraph in situations where a person could be covered by the association of more
than 1 state, whether as an owner, payee, beneficiary or assignee, this chapter shall be construed in conjunction with other
state laws to result in coverage by only one association.
(b)(1) This chapter shall provide coverage to the persons specified in subsection (a) of this section for direct, nongroup
life, health or annuity policies or contracts and supplemental contracts to any of these, for certificates under direct group
policies and contracts, and for unallocated annuity contracts issued by member insurers except as limited by this chapter.
Annuity contracts and certificates under group annuity contracts include but are not limited to guaranteed investment contracts,
deposit administration contracts, unallocated funding agreements, structured settlement annuities, annuities issued to or
in connection with government lotteries, and any immediate or deferred annuity contracts.
(2) This chapter shall not provide coverage for the following:
a. Any portion of a policy or contract not guaranteed by the insurer or under which the risk is borne by the policy or contract
owner;
b. Any policy or contract of reinsurance unless assumption certificates have been issued pursuant to the reinsurance policy
or contract;
c. Any portion of a policy or contract to the extent that the rate of interest on which it is based or the interest rate,
crediting rate or similar factor determined by use of an index or other external reference stated in the policy or contract
employed in calculating returns or changes in value:
1. Averaged over the period of 4 years prior to the date on which the member insurer becomes an impaired or insolvent insurer
under this chapter, whichever is earlier, exceeds the rate of interest determined by subtracting 2 percentage points from
Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average averaged for that same 4-year period or for such lesser period if the policy or contract
was issued less than 4 years before the member insurer becomes an impaired or insolvent insurer under this chapter, whichever
is earlier; and
2. On and after the date on which the member insurer becomes an impaired or insolvent insurer under this chapter, whichever
is earlier, exceeds the rate of interest determined by subtracting 3 percentage points from Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average
as most recently available;
d. Any portion of a policy or contract issued to a plan or program of an employer, association or other person to provide
life, health or annuity benefits to its employees, members or others to the extent that such plan or program is self-funded
or uninsured, including but not limited to benefits payable by an employer, association or other person under any of the following:
1. A multiple employer welfare arrangement as defined in 29 U.S.C. § 1144;
2. A minimum premium group insurance plan;
3. A stop-loss group insurance plan; or
4. An administrative services only contract;
e. Any portion of a policy or contract to the extent that it provides:
1. Dividends or experience rating credits;
2. Voting rights; or
3. Payment of any fees or allowances to any person, including the policy or contract owner, in connection with the service
to or administration of such policy or contract;
f. Any policy or contract issued in this State by a member insurer at a time when it was not licensed or did not have a certificate
of authority to issue such policy or contract in this State;
g. Any unallocated annuity contract issued to or in connection with a benefit plan protected under the federal Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation, regardless of whether the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has yet become liable to make
any payments with respect to the benefit plan;
h. Any portion of any unallocated annuity contract which is not issued to or in connection with a specific employee, union
or association of natural persons benefit plan or a government lottery;
i. A portion of a policy or contract to the extent that the assessments required by § 4409 of this title with respect to the
policy or contract are preempted by federal or state law;
j. An obligation that does not arise under the express written terms of the policy or contract issued by the insurer to the
contract owner or policy owner, including without limitation:
1. Claims based on marketing materials;
2. Claims based on side letters, riders or other documents that were issued by the insurer without meeting applicable policy
form filing or approval requirements;
3. Misrepresentations of or regarding policy benefits;
4. Extracontractual claims; or
5. A claim for penalties or consequential or incidental damages; and
k. A contractual agreement that establishes the member insurer's obligations to provide a book value accounting guaranty for
defined contribution benefit plan participants by reference to a portfolio of assets that is owned by the benefit plan or
its trustee, which in each case is not an affiliate of the member insurer.
l. A portion of a policy or contract to the extent it provides for interest or other changes in value to be determined by
the use of an index or other external reference stated in the policy or contract but which have not been credited to the policy
or contract, or as to which the policy or contract owner's rights are subject to forfeiture, as of the date the member insurer
becomes an impaired or insolvent insurer under this chapter, whichever is earlier. If a policy's or contract's interest or
changes in value are credited less frequently than annually, then for purposes of determining the values that have been credited
and are not subject to forfeiture under paragraph (b)(2)a. of this section, the interest or change in value determined by
using the procedures defined in the policy or contract will be credited as if the contractual date of crediting interest or
changing values was the date of impairment or insolvency, whichever is earlier, and will not be subject to forfeiture.
m. Any employer owned life insurance policy, as defined in § 2704(e) of this title.
n. A policy or contract providing any hospital, medical, prescription drug or other health care benefits pursuant to Part
C or Part D of Subchapter XVIII, Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the U.S.C. (commonly known as Medicare Part C and D) or any regulations
issued pursuant thereto.
(c) The benefits that the Association may become obligated to cover shall in no event exceed the lesser of the following:
(1) The contractual obligations for which the insurer is liable or would have been liable if it were not an impaired or insolvent
insurer; or
(2)a. With respect to any one life, regardless of the number of policies or contracts:
1. $300,000 in life insurance death benefits, but not more than $100,000 in net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values
for life insurance;
2. In health insurance benefits:
A. $100,000 for coverages not defined as disability insurance or basic hospital, medical and surgical insurance or major medical
insurance including any net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values;
B. $300,000 for disability insurance and $300,000 for long-term care insurance. For purposes of this section, "disability
insurance" shall mean the type of policy which pays a monthly or weekly amount if an individual is disabled and cannot work.
"Long-term care insurance" shall have the meaning as defined in § 7103(5) of this title.
C. $500,000 for basic hospital, medical and surgical insurance or major medical insurance For purposes of this section "basic
hospital, medical and surgical insurance" shall mean a policy which pays a certain portion of hospital room and board costs
each day. This type of policy also pays for hospital services and supplies such as x-rays, lab tests, medicine and other items
up to a stated amount. "Major medical insurance" shall mean health insurance to finance the expense of major illness and injury
characterized by large benefits maximums. This type of insurance reimburses the major part of all charges for hospital, doctor,
private nurses, medical appliances, prescribed out-of-hospital treatment, drugs and medicines above an initial deductible.
The insured person as coinsurer pays the remainder; or
3. $250,000 in present value of annuity benefits including net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values.
b. With respect to each individual participating in a governmental retirement benefit plan established under § 401, § 403(b)
or § 457 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 401, § 403(b) or § 457) covered by an unallocated annuity contract,
or the beneficiaries of each such individual if deceased, $250,000 in the aggregate in present value annuity benefits, including
net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values;
c. With respect to each payee of a structured settlement annuity (or beneficiary or beneficiaries of the payee, if deceased),
$250,000 in present value annuity benefits, in the aggregate, including net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values,
if any;
d. However, in no event shall the Association be obligated to cover more than (i) an aggregate of $300,000 in benefits with
respect to any 1 life under paragraphs (c)(2)a., (c)(2)b. and (c)(2)c. of this section except with respect to benefits for
basic hospital, medical and surgical insurance and major medical insurance under paragraph (c)(2)a.2. of this section, in
which case the aggregate liability of the Association shall not exceed $500,000 with respect to any 1 individual; or (ii)
with respect to 1 owner of multiple nongroup policies of life insurance, whether the policy owner is an individual, firm,
corporation or other person, and whether the persons insured are officers, managers, employees or other persons, more than
$1,000,000 in benefits, regardless of the number of policies and contracts held by the owner;
e. With respect to either (i) 1 contract owner provided coverage under paragraph (a)(3)b. of this section; or (ii) 1 plan
sponsor whose plans own directly or in trust 1 or more unallocated annuity contracts not included in paragraph (c)(2)b. of
this section, $1,000,000 in benefits, irrespective of the number of contracts with respect to the contract owner or plan sponsor.
However, in the case where 1 or more unallocated annuity contracts are covered contracts under this chapter and are owned
by a trust or other entity for the benefit of 2 or more plan sponsors, coverage shall be afforded by the Association if the
largest interest in the trust or entity owning the contract or contracts is held by a plan sponsor whose principal place of
business is in this State and in no event shall the Association be obligated to cover more than $1,000,000 in benefits with
respect to all these unallocated contracts.
f. The limitations set forth in this subsection are limitations on the benefits for which the Association is obligated before
taking into account either its subrogation and assignment rights or the extent to which those benefits could be provided out
of the assets of the impaired or insolvent insurer attributable to covered policies. The costs of the Association's obligations
under this chapter may be met by the use of assets attributable to covered policies or reimbursed to the Association pursuant
to its subrogation and assignment rights.
(d) In performing its obligations to provide coverage under § 4408 of this title, the Association shall not be required to
guarantee, assume, reinsure or perform, or cause to be guaranteed, assumed, reinsured or performed, the contractual obligations
of the insolvent or impaired insurer under a covered policy or contract that do not materially affect the economic values
or economic benefits of the covered policy or contract.
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 161, § 4; 68 Del. Laws, c. 55, § 2; 69 Del. Laws, c. 462, § 5; 73 Del. Laws, c. 327, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 215, §§ 1-5.;
§ 4404. Construction.
This chapter shall be liberally construed to effect the purpose under § 4402 of this title which shall constitute and aid
and guide to interpretation.
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1.;
§ 4405. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1) "Account" means either of the 2 accounts created under § 4406 of this title.
(2) "Association" means the Delaware Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association created under § 4406 of this title.
(3) "Authorized assessment" or "authorized," when used in the context of assessments, means a resolution by the board of directors
has been passed whereby an assessment will be called immediately or in the future from member insurers for a specified amount.
An assessment is authorized when the resolution is passed.
(4) "Benefit plan" means a specific employee, union or association of natural persons benefit plan.
(5) "Called assessment" or "called," when used in the context of assessments, means that a notice has been issued by the Association
to member insurers requiring that an authorized assessment be paid within the time frame set forth within the notice. An authorized
assessment becomes a called assessment when notice is mailed by the Association to member insurers.
(6) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Insurance of this State.
(7) "Contractual obligation" means an obligation under a policy or contract or certificate under a group policy or contract,
or portion thereof, for which coverage is provided under § 4403 of this title.
(8) "Covered policy" means a policy or contract or portion of a policy or contract for which coverage is provided under §
4403 of this title.
(9) "Extracontractual claims" shall include, for example, claims relating to bad faith in the payment of claims, punitive
or exemplary damages, or attorneys' fees and costs.
(10) "Impaired insurer" means a member insurer which, after the effective date of this chapter, is not an insolvent insurer,
and is placed under an order of rehabilitation or conservation by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(11) "Insolvent insurer" means a member insurer which after the effective date of this chapter, is placed under an order of
liquidation by a court of competent jurisdiction with a finding of insolvency.
(12) "Member insurer" means an insurer licensed or that holds a certificate of authority to transact in this State any kind
of insurance for which coverage is provided under § 4403 of this title, and includes an insurer whose license or certificate
of authority in this State may have been suspended, revoked, not renewed or voluntarily withdrawn, but does not include:
a. A hospital or medical service organization, whether profit or nonprofit;
b. A health maintenance organization;
c. A fraternal benefit society;
d. A mandatory state pooling plan;
e. A mutual assessment company or other person that operates on an assessment basis;
f. An insurance exchange;
g. An organization which has a certificate or license limited to the issuance of charitable gift annuities; or
h. An entity similar to any of the above.
(13) "Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average" means the Monthly Average Corporates as published by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc., or any successor thereto.
(14) "Owner" of a policy or contract and "policy owner" and "contract owner" mean the person who is identified as the legal
owner under the terms of the policy or contract or who is otherwise vested with legal title to the policy or contract through
a valid assignment completed in accordance with the terms of the policy or contract and properly recorded as the owner on
the books of the insurer. The terms owner, contract owner and policy owner do not include persons with a mere beneficial interest
in a policy or contract.
(15) "Person" means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, governmental body or
entity or voluntary organization.
(16) "Plan sponsor" means:
a. The employer in the case of a benefit plan established or maintained by a single employer;
b. The employee organization in the case of a benefit plan established or maintained by an employee organization; or
c. In a case of a benefit plan established or maintained by 2 or more employers or jointly by 1 or more employers and 1 or
more employee organizations, the association, committee, joint board of trustees, or other similar group of representatives
of the parties who establish or maintain the benefit plan.
(17) "Premiums" means amounts or considerations (by whatever name called) received on covered policies or contracts less returned
premiums, considerations and deposits and less dividends and experience credits. "Premiums" does not include amounts or considerations
received for policies or contracts or for the portions of policies or contracts for which coverage is not provided under §
4403(b) of this title except that assessable premium shall not be reduced on account of § 4403(b)(2)c. of this title relating
to interest limitations and § 4403(c)(2) of this title relating to limitations with respect to 1 individual, 1 participant
and 1 contract owner. "Premiums" shall not include:
a. Premiums in excess of $1,000,000 on an unallocated annuity contract not issued under a governmental retirement benefit
plan (or its trustee) established under § 401, § 403(b) or § 457 of the United States Internal Revenue Code [26 U.S.C. § 401,
§ 403(b) or § 457], or
b. With respect to multiple nongroup policies of life insurance owned by 1 owner, whether the policy owner is an individual,
firm, corporation or other person, and whether the persons insured are officers, managers, employees or other persons, premiums
in excess of $1,000,000 with respect to these policies or contracts, regardless of the number of policies or contracts held
by the owner.
(18)a. "Principal place of business" of a plan sponsor or a person other than a natural person means the single state in which
the natural persons who establish policy for the direction, control and coordination of the operations of the entity as a
whole primarily exercise that function, determined by the Association in its reasonable judgment by considering the following
factors:
1. The state in which the primary executive and administrative headquarters of the entity is located;
2. The state in which the principal office of the chief executive officer of the entity is located;
3. The state in which the board of directors (or similar governing person or persons) of the entity conducts the majority
of its meetings;
4. The state in which the executive or management committee of the board of directors (or similar governing person or persons)
of the entity conducts the majority of its meeting;
5. The state from which the management of the overall operations of the entity is directed; and
6. In the case of a benefit plan sponsored by affiliated companies comprising a consolidated corporation, the state in which
the holding company or controlling affiliate has its principal place of business as determined using the above factors.
However, in the case of a plan sponsor, if more than 50 percent of the participants in the benefit plan are employed in a
single state, that state shall be deemed to be the principal place of business of the plan sponsor.
b. The principal place of business of a plan sponsor of a benefit plan described in paragraph (16)c. of this section shall
be deemed to be the principal place of business of the association, committee, joint board of trustees or other similar group
of representatives of the parties who establish or maintain the benefit plan that, in lieu of a specific or clear designation
of a principal place of business, shall be deemed to be the principal place of business of the employer or employee organization
that has the largest investment in the benefit plan in question.
(19) "Receivership court" means the court in the insolvent or impaired insurer's state having jurisdiction over the conservation,
rehabilitation or liquidation of the insurer.
(20) "Resident" means a person to whom a contractual obligation is owed and who resides in this State on the date of entry
of a court order that determines a member insurer to be an impaired insurer or a court order that determines a member insurer
to be an insolvent insurer, whichever occurs first. A person may be a resident of only 1 state, which in the case of a person
other than a natural person shall be its principal place of business. Citizens of the United States that are either (i) residents
of foreign countries, or (ii) residents of United States possessions, territories or protectorates that do not have an association
similar to the Association created by this chapter shall be deemed residents of the state of domicile of the insurer that
issued the policies or contracts.
(21) "Structured settlement annuity" means an annuity purchased in order to fund periodic payments for a plaintiff or other
claimant in payment for or with respect to personal injury suffered by the plaintiff or other claimant.
(22) "State" means a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a United States possession, territory or protectorate.
(23) "Supplemental contract" means a written agreement entered into for the distribution of proceeds under a life, health
or annuity policy or contract.
(24) "Unallocated annuity contract" means an annuity contract or group annuity certificate which is not issued to and owned
by an individual, except to the extent of any annuity benefits guaranteed to an individual by an insurer under the contract
or certificate."
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 223, § 28; 68 Del. Laws, c. 55, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 547, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 327, § 2.;
§ 4406. Delaware Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association -- Created; accounts; supervision.
(a) There is created a nonprofit legal entity to be known as the Delaware Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association.
All member insurers shall be and remain members of the Association as a condition of their authority to transact insurance
in this State. The Association shall perform its functions under the plan of operation established and approved under § 4410
of this title, and shall exercise its powers through a Board of Directors established under § 4407 of this title. For purposes
of administration and assessment, the Association shall maintain 2 accounts:
(1) The life insurance and annuity account, which includes the following subaccounts:
a. Life insurance account;
b. Annuity account, which shall include annuity contracts owned by a governmental retirement plan (or its trustee) established
under § 401, § 403(b) or § 457 of the United States Internal Revenue Code [26 U.S.C. § 401, § 403(b) or § 457], but shall
otherwise exclude unallocated annuities; and
c. Unallocated annuity account, which shall exclude contracts owned by a governmental retirement benefit plan (or its trustee)
established under § 401, § 403(b) or § 457 of the United States Internal Revenue Code [26 U.S.C. § 401, § 403(b) or § 457].
(2) The health insurance account.
(b) The Association shall come under the immediate supervision of the Commissioner and shall be subject to the applicable
provisions of the insurance laws of this State.
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 547, § 2; 73 Del. Laws, c. 327, § 3.;
§ 4407. Same -- Board of Directors.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Association shall consist of not less than 5 nor more than 9 member insurers serving terms
as established in the plan of operation. The members of the Board shall be selected by member insurers subject to the approval
of the Commissioner. Vacancies on the Board shall be filled for the remaining period of the term by a majority vote of the
remaining Board members, subject to the approval of the Commissioner. To select the initial Board of Directors, and initially
organize the Association, the Commissioner shall give notice to all member insurers of the time and place of the organizational
meeting. In determining voting rights at the organizational meeting each member insurer shall be entitled to 1 vote in person
or by proxy. If the Board of Directors is not selected within 60 days after notice of the organizational meeting, the Commissioner
may appoint the initial members.
(b) In approving selections or in appointing members to the Board, the Commissioner shall consider, among other things, whether
all member insurers are fairly represented.
(c) Members of the Board may be reimbursed from the assets of the Association for expenses incurred by them as members of
the Board of Directors but members of the Board shall not otherwise be compensated by the Association for their services.
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1.;
§ 4408. Powers and duties of the Association.
(a) If a member insurer is an impaired insurer, the Association may, in its discretion, and subject to any conditions imposed
by the Association that do not impair the contractual obligations of the impaired insurer and that are approved by the Commissioner:
(1) Guarantee, assume or reinsure, or cause to be guaranteed, assumed, or reinsured, any or all of the policies or contracts
of the impaired insurer; or
(2) Provide such moneys, pledges, loans, notes, guarantees or other means as are proper to effectuate paragraph (a)(1) of
this section and assure payment of the contractual obligations of the impaired insurer pending action under paragraph (a)(1)
of this section.
(b) If a member insurer is an insolvent insurer, the Association shall, in its discretion, either:
(1)a.1. Guaranty, assume or reinsure, or cause to be guaranteed, assumed or reinsured, the policies or contracts of the insolvent
insurer; or
2. Assure payment of the contractual obligations of the insolvent insurer; and
b. Provide moneys, pledges, loans, notes, guarantees or other means reasonably necessary to discharge the Association's duties;
or
(2) Provide benefits and coverages in accordance with the following provisions:
a. With respect to life and health insurance policies and annuities, assure payment of benefits for premiums identical to
the premiums and benefits (except for terms of conversation and renewability) that would have been payable under the policies
or contracts of the insolvent insurer, for claims incurred:
1. With respect to group policies and contracts, not later than the earlier of the next renewal date under those policies
or contracts or 45 days, but in no event less than 30 days, after the date on which the Association becomes obligated with
respect to the policies and contracts;
2. With respect to nongroup policies, contracts and annuities, not later than the earlier of the next renewal date (if any)
under the policies or contracts or 1 year, but in no event less than 30 days from the date on which the Association becomes
obligated with respect to the policies or contracts;
b. Make diligent efforts to provide all known insureds or annuitants (for nongroup policies and contracts), or group policy
owners with respect to group policies and contracts, 30 days notice of the termination (pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)a. of
this section) of the benefits provided;
c. With respect to nongroup life and health insurance policies and annuities covered by the Association, make available to
each known insured or annuitant, or owner if other than the insured or annuitant, and with respect to an individual formerly
insured or formerly an annuitant under a group policy who is not eligible for replacement group coverage, make available substitute
coverage on an individual basis in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b)(2)d. of this section, if the insureds or
annuitants had a right under law or the terminated policy or annuity to convert coverage to individual coverage or to continue
an individual policy or annuity in force until a specified age or for a specified time during which the insurer had no right
unilaterally to make changes in any provision of the policy or annuity or had a right only to make changes in premium by class;
(3)a. In providing the substitute coverage required under paragraph (b)(2)c. of this section, the Association may offer either
to reissue the terminated coverage or to issue an alternative policy.
b. Alternative or reissued policies shall be offered without requiring evidence of insurability, and shall not provide for
any waiting period or exclusion that would not have applied under the terminated policy.
c. The Association may reinsure any alternative or reissued policy.
(4)a. Alternative policies adopted by the Association shall be subject to the approval of the domiciliary insurance commissioner
and the receivership court. The Association may adopt alternative policies of various types for future issuance without regard
to any particular impairment or insolvency.
b. Alternative policies shall contain at least the minimum statutory provisions required in this State and provide benefits
that shall not be unreasonable in relation to the premium charged. The Association shall set the premium in accordance with
a table of rates that it shall adopt. The premium shall reflect the amount of insurance to be provided and the age and class
of risk of each insured, but shall not reflect any changes in the health of the insured after the original policy was last
underwritten.
c. Any alternative policy issued by the Association shall provide coverage of a type similar to that of the policy issued
by the impaired or insolvent insurer, as determined by the Association.
(5) If the Association elects to reissue terminated coverage at a premium rate different from that charged under the terminated
policy, the premium shall be set by the Association in accordance with the amount of insurance provided and the age and class
of risk, subject to approval of the domiciliary insurance commissioner and the receivership court.
(6) The Association's obligations with respect to coverage under any policy of the impaired or insolvent insurer or under
any reissued or alternative policy shall cease on the date the coverage or policy is replaced by another similar policy by
the policy owner, the insured or the Association.
(7) When proceeding under paragraph (b)(2) of this section with respect to a policy or contract carrying guaranteed minimum
interest rates, the Association shall assure the payment or crediting of a rate of interest consistent with § 4403(b)(2)c.
of this title.
(c) Nonpayment of premiums within 31 days after the date required under the terms of any guaranteed, assumed, alternative
or reissued policy or contract or substitute coverage shall terminate the Association's obligations under the policy or coverage
under this chapter with respect to the policy or coverage, except with respect to any claims incurred or any net cash surrender
value which may be due in accordance with this chapter.
(d)(1) Premiums due for coverage after entry of an order of liquidation of an insolvent insurer shall belong to and be payable
at the direction of the Association, and the Association shall be liable for unearned premiums due to policy or contract owners
arising after the entry of the order.
(2) If the liquidator of an insolvent insurer requests, the Association shall provide a report to the liquidator regarding
such premiums collected by the Association.
(e) The protection provided by this chapter shall not apply where any guaranty protection is provided to residents of this
State by the laws of the domiciliary state or jurisdiction of the impaired or insolvent insurer other than this State.
(f) In carrying out its duties under subsection (b) of this section, the Association may:
(1) Subject to approval by a court in this State, impose permanent policy or contract liens in connection with a guarantee,
assumption or reinsurance agreement if the Association finds that the amounts which can be assessed under this chapter are
less than the amounts needed to assure full and prompt performance of the Association's duties under this chapter or that
the economic or financial conditions as they affect member insurers are sufficiently adverse to render the imposition of such
permanent policy or contract liens to be in the public interest;
(2) Subject to approval by a court in this State, impose temporary moratoriums or liens on payments of cash values and policy
loans or any other right to withdraw funds held in conjunction with policies or contracts, in addition to any contractual
provisions for deferral of cash or policy loan value. In addition, in the event of a temporary moratorium or moratorium charge
imposed by the receivership court on payment of cash values or policy loans or on any other right to withdraw funds held in
conjunction with policies or contracts out of the assets of the impaired or insolvent insurer, the Association may defer the
payment of cash values, policy loans or other rights by the Association for the period of the moratorium or moratorium charge
imposed by the receivership court, except for claims covered by the Association to be paid in accordance with a hardship procedure
established by the liquidator or rehabilitator and approved by the receivership court.
(g) A deposit in this State held pursuant to law or required by the Commissioner for the benefit of creditors, including policy
owners, not turned over to the domiciliary liquidator upon the entry of a final order of liquidation or order approving a
rehabilitation plan of an insurer domiciled in this State or in a reciprocal state, shall be promptly paid to the Association.
The Association shall be entitled to retain a portion of any amount so paid to it equal to the percentage determined by dividing
the aggregate amount of policy owners claims related to that insolvency for which the Association has provided statutory benefits
by the aggregate amount of all policy owners' claims in this State related to that insolvency and shall remit to the domiciliary
receiver the amount so paid to the Association less the amount retained pursuant to this subsection. Any amount so paid to
the Association and retained by it shall be treated as a distribution of estate assets pursuant to § 5911 of this title or
similar provision of the state of domicile of the impaired or insolvent insurer.
(h) If the Association fails to act within a reasonable period of time with respect to an insolvent insurer, as provided in
subsection (b) of this section, the Commissioner shall have the powers and duties of the Association under this chapter with
respect to the insolvent insurer.
(i) The Association may render assistance and advice to the Commissioner, upon the Commissioner's request, concerning rehabilitation,
payment of claims, continuance of coverage, or the performance of other contractual obligations of an impaired or insolvent
insurer.
(j) The Association shall have standing to appear or intervene before a court or agency in this State with jurisdiction over
an impaired or insolvent insurer concerning which the Association is or may become obligated under this chapter or with jurisdiction
over any person or property against which the Association may have rights through subrogation or otherwise. Standing shall
extend to all matters germane to the powers and duties of the Association, including, but not limited to, proposals for reinsuring,
modifying or guaranteeing the policies or contracts of the impaired or insolvent insurer and the determination of the policies
or contracts and contractual obligations. The Association shall also have the right to appear or intervene before a court
or agency in another state with jurisdiction over an impaired or insolvent insurer for which the Association is or may become
obligated or with jurisdiction over any person or property against whom the Association may have rights through subrogation
or otherwise.
(k)(1) A person receiving benefits under this chapter shall be deemed to have assigned the rights under, and any causes of
action against any person for losses arising under, resulting from or otherwise relating to, the covered policy or contract
to the Association to the extent of the benefits received because of this chapter, whether the benefits are payments of or
on account of contractual obligations, continuation of coverage or provision of substitute or alternative coverages. The Association
may require an assignment to it of such rights and cause of action by any payee, policy or contract owner, beneficiary, insured
or annuitant as a condition precedent to the receipt of any right or benefits conferred by this chapter upon the person.
(2) The subrogation rights of the Association under this subsection shall have the same priority against the assets of the
impaired or insolvent insurer as that possessed by the person entitled to receive benefits under this chapter.
(3) In addition to paragraphs (k)(1) and (2) of this section, the Association shall have all common-law rights of subrogation
and any other equitable or legal remedy that would have been available to the impaired or insolvent insurer or owner, beneficiary
or payee of a policy or contract with respect to the policy or contracts (including without limitation, in the case of a structured
settlement annuity, any rights of the owner, beneficiary or payee of the annuity, to the extent of benefits received pursuant
this chapter, against a person originally or by succession responsible for the losses arising from the personal injury relating
to the annuity or payment therefor, excepting any such person responsible solely by reason of serving as an assignee in respect
of a qualified assignment under Internal Revenue Code § 130 [26 U.S.C. § 130]).
(4) If the preceding provisions of this subsection are invalid or ineffective with respect to any person or claim for any
reason, the amount payable by the Association with respect to the related covered obligations shall be reduced by the amount
realized by any other person with respect to the person or claim that is attributable to the policies (or portion thereof)
covered by the Association.
(5) If the Association has provided benefits with respect to a covered obligation and a person recovers amounts as to which
the Association has rights as described in the preceding paragraphs of this subsection, the person shall pay to the Association
the portion of the recovery attributable to the policies (or portion thereof) covered by the Association.
(l) In addition to the rights and powers elsewhere in this chapter, the Association may:
(1) Enter into such contracts as are necessary or proper to carry out the provisions and purposes of this chapter;
(2) Sue or be sued, including taking any legal actions necessary or proper to recover any unpaid assessments under § 4409
of this title and to settle claims or potential claims against it;
(3) Borrow money to effect the purposes of this chapter; any notes or other evidence of indebtedness of the Association not
in default shall be legal investments for domestic insurers and may be carried as admitted assets;
(4) Employ or retain such persons as are necessary or appropriate to handle the financial transactions of the Association,
and to perform such other functions as become necessary or proper under this chapter;
(5) Take such legal action as may be necessary or appropriate to avoid or recover payment of improper claims;
(6) Exercise, for the purposes of this chapter and to the extent approved by the Commissioner, the powers of a domestic life
or health insurer; but in no case may the Association issue insurance policies or annuity contracts other than those issued
to perform its obligations under this chapter;
(7) Organize itself as a corporation or in other legal form permitted by the laws of the State;
(8) Request information from a person seeking coverage from the Association in order to aid the Association in determining
its obligations under this chapter with respect to the person; and the person shall promptly comply with the request; and
(9) Take other necessary or appropriate action to discharge its duties and obligations under this chapter or to exercise its
powers under this chapter.
(m) The Association may join an organization of 1 or more other state associations of similar purposes to further the purposes
and administer the powers and duties of the Association.
(n)(1) At any time within 180 days of the date of the order of liquidation, the Association may elect to succeed to the rights
and obligations of the ceding member insurer that relate to policies or annuities covered (in whole or in part) by the Association,
in each case under any 1 or more reinsurance contract or contracts entered into by the insolvent insurer and its reinsurers
and selected by the Association. Any such assumption shall be effective as of the date of the order of liquidation. The election
shall be effected by the Association or the National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations (NOLHGA)
on its behalf sending written notice, return receipt requested, to the affected reinsurers.
(2) To facilitate the earliest practicable decision about whether to assume any of the contracts of reinsurance and to protect
the financial position of the estate, the receiver and each reinsurer of the ceding member insurer shall make available, upon
request, to the Association or to NOLHGA on its behalf as soon as possible after commencement of formal delinquency proceedings:
a. Copies of in-force contracts of reinsurance and all related files and records relevant to the determination of whether
such contracts should be assumed; and
b. Notices of any defaults under the reinsurance contracts or any known event or condition which, with the passage of time,
could become a default under the reinsurance contracts.
(3) The following paragraphs (n)(3)a. through f. of this section shall apply to reinsurance contracts so assumed by the Association:
a. The Association shall be responsible for all unpaid premiums due under the reinsurance contracts for periods both before
and after the date of the order of liquidation, and shall be responsible for the performance of all other obligations to be
performed after the date of the order of liquidation, in each case which relate to policies or annuities covered (in whole
or in part) by the Association. The Association may charge policies or annuities covered in part by the Association, through
reasonable allocation methods, the costs for reinsurance in excess of the obligations of the Association and shall provide
notice and an accounting of these charges to the liquidator.
b. The Association shall be entitled to any and all amounts payable by the reinsurer under the reinsurance contracts with
respect to losses or events that occur in periods after the date of the order of liquidation and that relate to policies or
annuities covered (in whole or in part) by the Association, provided that, upon receipt of any such amounts the Association
shall be obligated to pay to the beneficiary under the policy or annuity on account of which the amounts were paid a portion
of the amount equal to the lesser of:
1. The amount received by the Association; and
2. The excess of the amount received by the Association, over the amount equal to the benefits paid by the Association on
account of the policy or annuity less the retention of the insurer applicable to the loss or event.
c. Within 30 days following the Association's election (the "election date"), the Association and each reinsurer under contracts
assumed by the Association shall calculate the net balance due to or from the Association under each reinsurance contract
as of the election date with respect to policies or annuities covered, in whole or in part, by the Association, which calculation
shall give full credit to all items paid by either the insurer or its receiver or the reinsurer prior to the election date.
The reinsurer shall pay the receiver any amounts due for losses or events prior to the date of the order of liquidation, subject
to any set-off for premiums unpaid for periods prior to the date, and the Association or reinsurer shall pay any remaining
balance due the other, in each case within 5 days of the completion of the aforementioned calculation. Any disputes over the
amounts due to either the Association or the reinsurer shall be resolved by arbitration pursuant to the terms of the affected
reinsurance contracts or, if the contract contains no arbitration clause, as otherwise provided by law. If the receiver has
received any amounts due the Association pursuant to paragraph (n)(3)b. of this section, the receiver shall remit the same
to the Association as promptly as practicable.
d.1. If the Association or the receiver, on the Associations' behalf, within 60 days of the election date, pays the unpaid
premiums due for periods both before and after the election date that relate to policies or annuities covered (in whole or
in part) by the Association, the reinsurer shall not be entitled to terminate the reinsurance contracts for failure to pay
a premium insofar as the reinsurance contracts relate to policies or annuities covered, in whole or in part, by the Association,
and shall not be entitled to set off any unpaid amounts due under other contracts, or unpaid amounts due from parties other
than the Association, against amounts due the Association.
2. During the period from the date of the order of liquidation until the election date (or, if the election date does not
occur, until 180 days after the date of the order of liquidation):
Neither the Association nor the reinsurer shall have any rights or obligations under reinsurance contracts that the Association
has the right to assume under paragraph(n)(1) of this section, whether for periods prior to or after the date of the order
of liquidation; and II. The reinsurer, the receiver and the Association shall, to the extent practicable, provide each other
data and records reasonably requested;
B. Provided that once the Association has elected to assume a reinsurance contract, the parties' rights and obligations shall
be governed by paragraph (n)(1) of this section.
3. If the Association does not elect to assume a reinsurance contract by the election date pursuant to paragraph (n)(1) of
this section, the Association shall have no rights or obligations, in each case for periods both before and after the date
of the order of liquidation, with respect to the reinsurance contract.
4. When policies or annuities, or covered obligations with respect thereto, are transferred to an assuming insurer, reinsurance
on the policies or annuities may also be transferred by the Association, in the case of contracts assumed under paragraph
(n)(1) of this section, subject to the following:
A. Unless the reinsurer and the assuming insurer agree otherwise, the reinsurance contract that is transferred shall not cover
any new policies of insurance or annuities in addition to those transferred;
B. The obligations described in paragraph (n)(3)d.1. of this section shall no longer apply with respect to matters arising
after the effective date of the transfer; and
C. Notice shall be given in writing, return receipt requested, by the transferring party to the affected reinsurer not less
than 30 days prior to the effective date of the transfer.
e. The provisions of this subsection (n) shall supersede the provisions of any law or of any affected reinsurance contract
that provides for or requires any payment of reinsurance proceeds, on account of losses or events that occur in periods after
the date of the order of liquidation, to the receiver of the insolvent insurer or any other person. The receiver shall remain
entitled to any amounts payable by the reinsurer under the reinsurance contracts with respect to losses or events that occur
in periods prior to the date of the order of liquidation, subject to applicable setoff provisions.
f. Except as otherwise provided in this section, nothing in this subsection (n) shall:
1. Alter or modify the terms and conditions of any reinsurance contract;
2. Abrogate or limit any rights of any reinsurer to claim that it is entitled to rescind a reinsurance contract;
3. Provide a policyholder or beneficiary with an independent cause of action against a reinsurer that is not otherwise set
forth in the reinsurance contract;
4. Limit or affect the Association's rights as a creditor of the estate against the assets of the estate;
5. Apply to reinsurance agreements covering property or casualty risks.
(o) The Board of Directors of the Association shall have discretion and may exercise reasonable business judgment to determine
the means by which the Association is to provide the benefits of this chapter in an economical and efficient manner.
(p) Where the Association has arranged or offered to provide the benefits of this chapter to a covered person under a plan
or arrangement that fulfills the Association's obligations under this chapter, the person shall not be entitled to benefits
from the Association in addition to or other than those provided under the plan or arrangement.
(q) Venue in a suit against the Association arising under the chapter shall be in New Castle County. The Association shall
not be required to give an appeal bond in an appeal that relates to a cause of action arising under this chapter.
(r) In carrying out its duties in connection with guaranteeing, assuming or reinsuring policies or contracts under subsection
(a) or (b) of this section, the Association may, subject to approval of the receivership court, issue substitute coverage
for a policy or contract that provides an interest rate, crediting rate or similar factor determined by use of an index or
other external reference stated in the policy or contract employed in calculating returns or changes in value by issuing an
alternative policy or contract in accordance with the following provisions:
(1) In lieu of the index or other external reference provided for in the original policy or contract, the alternative policy
or contract provides for (i) a fixed interest rate or (ii) payment of dividends with minimum guarantees or (iii) a different
method for calculating interest or changes in value;
(2) There is no requirement for evidence of insurability, waiting period or other exclusion that would not have applied under
the replaced policy or contract; and
(3) The alternative policy or contract is substantially similar to the replaced policy or contract in all other materials
terms.
63 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1; 65 Del. Laws, c. 162, § 1; 65 Del. Laws, c. 410, §§ 1, 2; 67 Del. Laws, c. 223, § 29; 68 Del. Laws, c. 55, § 4; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 327, § 4; 77 Del. Laws, c. 215, §§ 6-9.;
§ 4409. Assessments.
(a) For the purpose of providing the funds necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the Association, the Board of Directors
shall assess the member insurers, separately for each account, at such time and for such amounts as the Board finds necessary.
Assessments shall be due not less than 30 days after prior written notice to the member insurers and shall accrue interest
at 10% per annum on and after the due date.
(b) There shall be 3 classes of assessment as follows:
(1) Class A assessments, shall be authorized and called for the purpose of meeting administrative costs and other expenses.
Class A assessments may be authorized and called whether or not related to a particular impaired or insolvent insurer.
(2) Class B assessments shall be authorized and called annually to provide for the oversight activity of the Commissioner,
thereby minimizing the need to make class C assessments.
(3) Class C assessments shall be authorized and called to the extent necessary to carry out the duties of the Association
under this title with regards to an impaired or insolvent member insurer.
(c)(1) The amount of any class A assessment shall be determined by the Board and may be authorized and called on a pro rata
or non-pro rata basis. If pro rata, the Board may provide that it be credited against future class C assessments. The total
of all non-pro rata assessments shall not exceed $300 per member insurer in any 1 calendar year. The amount of class C assessment
shall be allocated for assessment purposes among the accounts pursuant to an allocation formula which may be based on the
premiums or reserves of the impaired or insolvent insurer or any other standard deemed by the Board in its sole discretion
as being fair and reasonable under the circumstances.
(2) The amount of a class B assessment shall be determined by the Commissioner who shall so notify the Association not later
than July 31 of the calendar year in which the assessment is to be made. A class B assessment may be made on a non-pro rata
basis, but the amount shall not exceed one tenth of 1% of the members' premium written during the calendar year preceding
the assessment. The amount assessed in conjunction with class C assessments shall not result in members being assessed more
than 2% of the premiums written in the applicable year. The proceeds of this assessment shall be paid by the Association into
the Commissioner's Regulatory Revolving Fund.
(3) Class C assessments against member insurers for each account and subaccount shall be in the proportion that the premiums
received on business in this State by each assessed member insurer on policies or contracts covered by each account for the
3 most recent calendar years for which information is available preceding the year in which the insurer became impaired or
insolvent, as the case may be, bears to such premiums received in this State for such calendar years by all assessed member
insurers.
(4) Assessments for funds to meet the requirements of the Association with respect to an impaired or insolvent insurer shall
not be authorized or called until necessary to implement the purposes of this chapter. Classification of assessments under
subsection (b) of this section and computation of assessments under this subsection shall be made with a reasonable degree
of accuracy, recognizing that exact determination may not always be possible. The Association shall notify each member insurer
of its anticipated pro rata share of an authorized assessment not yet called within 180 days after the assessment is authorized.
(d) The Association may abate or defer, in whole or in part, the assessment of the member insurer if, in the opinion of the
Board, payment of the assessment would endanger the ability of the member insurer to fulfill its contractual obligations.
In the event an assessment against a member insurer is abated or deferred in whole or in part, the amount by which such assessment
is abated or deferred may be assessed against the other member insurers in a manner consistent with the basis for assessments
set forth in this section. Once the conditions which caused a deferral have been removed or rectified, the member insurer
shall pay all assessments that were deferred pursuant to a repayment plan approved by the Association.
(e)(1)a. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (e)(1)b. of this section, the total of all assessmen
