33-17-613. Collection of charges and premiums. - Montana Statutes

     33-17-613. Collection of charges and premiums. (1) All insurance charges or premiums collected by an administrator on behalf of or for an insurer and return premiums received from the insurer are held by the administrator in a fiduciary capacity. These funds must be immediately remitted to the person entitled to them or must be deposited promptly in a fiduciary bank account established and maintained by the administrator. If deposited charges or premiums were collected on behalf of or for more than one insurer, the administrator shall require the bank in which the fiduciary account is maintained to keep records clearly recording the deposits in and withdrawals from the account on behalf of or for each insurer. The administrator shall promptly obtain and keep copies of all these records and, upon request of an insurer, shall furnish the insurer with copies of the records pertaining to deposits and withdrawals on behalf of or for the insurer.
     (2) The administrator may not pay a claim by withdrawals from the fiduciary account. Withdrawals from the fiduciary account must be made, as provided in the written agreement between the administrator and the insurer, for:
     (a) remittance to an insurer entitled to the remittance;
     (b) deposit in an account maintained in the name of the insurer;
     (c) transfer to and deposit in a claims paying account, with claims to be paid as provided in 33-17-615;
     (d) payment to a group policyholder for remittance to the insurer entitled to the payment;
     (e) payment to the administrator of its commission, fees, or charges; or
     (f) remittance of return premiums to the person entitled to the premium.

     History: En. Sec. 5, Ch. 343, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 48, Ch. 713, L. 1989.