33-2-302. Conditions precedent to sale of surplus lines insurance. - Montana Statutes

     33-2-302. Conditions precedent to sale of surplus lines insurance. (1) A producing insurance producer may request a surplus lines insurance producer to place or a surplus lines insurance producer may place a contract of insurance with an unauthorized insurer if:
     (a) the insurer is an eligible surplus lines insurer;
     (b) the line of insurance or the full amount of the line of insurance cannot be obtained from authorized insurers or, in the case of a renewal, the line of insurance has not become available from an authorized insurer;
     (c) the producing insurance producer makes a diligent effort to place the business with a minimum of three insurers authorized and actually transacting that line of business in this state. If fewer than three insurers are authorized and actually transacting the line of business in this state, diligent effort must be met by searching this lesser market.
     (d) the insurance is not procured for the purpose of securing:
     (i) a lower premium rate than would be accepted by an authorized insurer unless the premium rate quoted by the authorized insurer is at least 10% higher and at least $1,500 greater than the premium rate quoted by the unauthorized insurer; or
     (ii) an advantage in terms of the insurance contract; and
     (e) all other requirements of this part are met.
     (2) A contract of insurance may not be placed with an unauthorized insurer under subsection (1)(d)(i) unless the unauthorized insurer is the equivalent of A-rated or better and the unauthorized insurer or the surplus lines insurance producer that placed the contract of insurance with the unauthorized insurer has provided the insured with disclosure information in a form and content approved by the commissioner.

     History: En. Secs. 185, 186, Ch. 286, L. 1959; R.C.M. 1947, 40-3410, 40-3411; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 112, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 537, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 285, L. 1989; amd. Secs. 1, 2, Ch. 713, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 451, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 379, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 191, L. 2005.