hci-ex1011_246.htm



EXHIBIT 10.11

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY CATASTROPHE FIRST EXCESS OF LOSS REINSURANCE

CONTRACT

issued to

HOMEOWNERS CHOICE PROPERTY & CASUALTY

INSURANCE COMPANY, INC.

Tampa, Florida

and

TYPTAP INSURANCE COMPANY

Ocala, Florida

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PROPERTY CATASTROPHE FIRST EXCESS OF LOSS REINSURANCE CONTRACT TABLE OF CONTENTS

 


	
Article
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
Page

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
Preamble
	
 
	
4

	
1
	
 
	
Business Covered
	
 
	
4

	
2
	
 
	
Retention and Limit
	
 
	
4

	
3
	
 
	
Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund
	
 
	
5

	
4
	
 
	
Term
	
 
	
5

	
5
	
 
	
Special Termination
	
 
	
6

	
6
	
 
	
Territory
	
 
	
7

	
7
	
 
	
Exclusions
	
 
	
8

	
8
	
 
	
Special Acceptance
	
 
	
9

	
9
	
 
	
Premium
	
 
	
10

	
10
	
 
	
Reinstatement
	
 
	
10

	
11
	
 
	
Definitions
	
 
	
11

	
12
	
 
	
Extra Contractual Obligations/Excess of Policy Limits
	
 
	
14

	
13
	
 
	
Net Retained Liability
	
 
	
15

	
14
	
 
	
Other Reinsurance
	
 
	
15

	
15
	
 
	
Original Conditions
	
 
	
15

	
16
	
 
	
No Third Party Rights
	
 
	
15

	
17
	
 
	
Notice of Loss and Loss Settlements
	
 
	
16

	
18
	
 
	
Late Payments
	
 
	
16

	
19
	
 
	
Offset
	
 
	
17

	
20
	
 
	
Currency
	
 
	
18

	
21
	
 
	
Unauthorized Reinsurance
	
 
	
18

	
22
	
 
	
Taxes
	
 
	
20

	
23
	
 
	
Access to Records
	
 
	
21

	
24
	
 
	
Confidentiality
	
 
	
22

	
25
	
 
	
Indemnification and Errors and Omissions
	
 
	
23

	
26
	
 
	
Insolvency
	
 
	
23

	
27
	
 
	
Run-Off Reinsurer
	
 
	
24

	
28
	
 
	
Arbitration
	
 
	
26

	
29
	
 
	
Expedited Arbitration
	
 
	
27

	
30
	
 
	
Service of Suit
	
 
	
27

	
31
	
 
	
Governing Law
	
 
	
28

	
32
	
 
	
Entire Agreement
	
 
	
29

	
33
	
 
	
Non-Waiver
	
 
	
29

	
34
	
 
	
Agency
	
 
	
29

	
35
	
 
	
Mode of Execution
	
 
	
30

	
 
	
 
	
Company Signing Block
	
 
	
32




 

 

 

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PROPERTY CATASTROPHE FIRST EXCESS OF LOSS REINSURANCE CONTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 


	
Attachments
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
Page

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
Pools, Associations & Syndicates Exclusions Clause
	
 
	
33

	
 
	
 
	
Nuclear Incident Exclusion Clause - Physical Damage – Reinsurance - U.S.A.
	
 
	
36

	
 
	
 
	
Terrorism Exclusion
	
 
	
38

	
 
	
 
	
Communicable Disease Exclusion (Property Reinsurance)
	
 
	
39

	
 
	
 
	
Trust Agreement Requirements Clause
	
 
	
40




 

 

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PROPERTY CATASTROPHE FIRST EXCESS OF LOSS REINSURANCE CONTRACT

(the “Contract”)

issued to

HOMEOWNERS CHOICE PROPERTY & CASUALTY

INSURANCE COMPANY, INC.

Tampa, Florida

and

TYPTAP INSURANCE COMPANY 

Ocala, Florida

(collectively, the “Company”) 

by

THE SUBSCRIBING REINSURER(S) IDENTIFIED IN THE

INTERESTS AND LIABILITIES AGREEMENT(S) ATTACHED TO

AND FORMING PART OF THIS CONTRACT

(the “Reinsurer”)

ARTICLE 1

BUSINESS COVERED

This Contract is to indemnify the Company in respect of its net excess liability as a result of any loss or losses which may occur during the Term of this Contract under any Policies not covered by the Company’s Flood Tower, in force at the effective date hereof or issued or renewed on or after that date, covering direct and assumed business classified by the Company as the property perils of Business Owners, Homeowners, Condominium Owners, Renters and Dwelling, subject to the terms and conditions herein contained.

ARTICLE 2

RETENTION AND LIMIT


	
A.
	
The Reinsurer shall be liable in respect of each Loss Occurrence for the Ultimate Net Loss over and above the initial Ultimate Net Loss of **** each Loss Occurrence, subject to a limit of liability to the Reinsurer of **** each Loss Occurrence, and subject further to a limit of liability of **** for all Loss Occurrences commencing during the term of this Contract.





	
B.
	
No Loss Occurrence shall be covered hereunder unless it involves two or more risks subject to this Contract. The Company shall be the sole judge of what constitutes one risk for purposes of this Contract.




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ARTICLE 3

FLORIDA HURRICANE CATASTROPHE FUND


	
A.
	
As respects Loss Occurrences subject to this Contract, any loss reimbursement recoverable by the Company under the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF), shall be deducted in determining Ultimate Net Loss under this Contract, subject to the following:





	
 
	
1.
	
The full reimbursement amount due from the FHCF, based on statutory limits of coverage as of June 1, shall be deemed recovered by the Company, whether or not actually received from the FHCF and whether or not reduced because of the FHCF’s inability to pay.





	
 
	
2.
	
For purposes of allocating recoveries from the FHCF with respect to each Loss Occurrence, only amounts recoverable by applying the pay-out and retention multiples for the FHCF prior to any reduction in retention due to multiple Loss Occurrences in the same annual period shall be included in calculating the deduction from Ultimate Net Loss.





	
 
	
3.
	
If the Company’s aggregate limit of FHCF reimbursement coverage is exhausted from Loss Occurrences commencing during the term of this Contract, and the FHCF does not designate the portion of said limit allocable to each Loss Occurrence, the total FHCF reimbursement received shall be allocated to the each individual Loss Occurrence in the proportion that the Company’s losses in that Loss Occurrence bear to the Company’s total losses arising out of all Loss Occurrences to which the reimbursement applies.





	
 
	
4.
	
For purposes of loss recoveries under this Contract prior to the final determination of the Company’s retention and limit under the FHCF, FHCF coverage shall be calculated using the Company’s “Projected Payout Multiple” under the FHCF. Upon determination of the Company’s retention and limit under the FHCF, losses will be adjusted, recognizing any adjustment to the “Projected Payout Multiple” caused by a change in the Aggregate Mandatory FHCF Premium but disregarding any change due to a decrease in the statutory limit.





	
B.
	
Any FHCF reimbursement premiums paid by the Company for FHCF layers that inure to the benefit of this Contract shall be deemed to be premiums paid for inuring reinsurance.





	
C.
	
The Company has opted for a 90% coverage selection from the FHCF.




ARTICLE 4

TERM

This Contract shall take effect at 12:01 a.m., Standard Time, June 1, 2020, and unless terminated prior to that time and date as provided in the Special Termination Article, shall remain in effect until 12:01 a.m., Standard Time, June 1, 2021, applying to Loss Occurrences commencing during the term of this Contract. For purposes of this Contract, “Standard Time” shall mean the time as described in the original Policy.

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ARTICLE 5

SPECIAL TERMINATION


	
A.
	
The Company may terminate a Subscribing Reinsurer’s percentage share in this Contract at any time by giving written notice to the Subscribing Reinsurer in the event of any of the following circumstances:





	
 
	
1.
	
The Subscribing Reinsurer ceases underwriting operations.





	
 
	
2.
	
A state insurance department or other legal authority orders the Subscribing Reinsurer to cease writing business, or the Subscribing Reinsurer is placed under regulatory supervision.





	
 
	
3.
	
The Subscribing Reinsurer has become insolvent or has been placed into liquidation or receivership (whether voluntary or involuntary), or there have been instituted against it proceedings for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, rehabilitator, conservator, trustee in bankruptcy, or other agent known by whatever name, to take possession of its assets or control of its operations.





	
 
	
4.
	
The Subscribing Reinsurer’s policyholders’ surplus (or the equivalent under the Subscribing Reinsurer’s accounting system) as reported in such financial statements of the Subscribing Reinsurer as designated by the Company, has been reduced by 20% of the amount thereof at any date during the prior 12-month period (including the period prior to the inception of this Contract).





	
 
	
5.
	
The Subscribing Reinsurer has become, or has announced its intention to become, merged with or acquired or controlled by any company, corporation, or individual(s) not controlling the Subscribing Reinsurer’s operations at the inception of this Contract.





	
 
	
6.
	
The Subscribing Reinsurer has retroceded its entire liability under this Contract without the Company’s prior written consent, except for retrocessions to members of the Subscribing Reinsurer’s holding company group.





	
 
	
7.
	
The Subscribing Reinsurer has been assigned an A.M. Best’s rating of less than “A-” and/or an S&P rating of less than “BBB+.” However, as respects Underwriting Members of Lloyd’s, London, a Lloyd’s Market Rating of less than “A-” by A.M. Best and/or less than “BBB+” by S&P shall apply.





	
 
	
8.
	
The Subscribing Reinsurer has hired an unaffiliated runoff claims manager that is compensated on a contingent basis or is otherwise provided with financial incentives based on the quantum of claims paid.




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9.
	
The Subscribing Reinsurer has in any other way assigned its interests or delegated its obligations under this Contract to an unaffiliated entity.




Notwithstanding the foregoing, agreement by a Lloyd’s syndicate to follow claim settlements procedures under Lloyd’s Claims Scheme (Combined) shall not constitute a transfer of its claims-paying authority, for purposes of subparagraphs (8) and (9) of this paragraph.


	
 
	
10.
	
The Subscribing Reinsurer has failed to post or maintain required collateral to secure its obligations as required under this Contract, and has not cured such deficiency within 30 days following written notice thereof from the Company.





	
B.
	
Termination shall be effected on a cut-off basis and the Subscribing Reinsurer shall have no liability for Loss Occurrences commencing after the date of termination. The reinsurance premium due the Subscribing Reinsurer hereunder (including any minimum reinsurance premium) shall be prorated based on the period of the Subscribing Reinsurer’s participation hereon, and the Subscribing Reinsurer shall immediately return any excess reinsurance premium received. Reinstatement premium, if any, shall be calculated based on the Subscribing Reinsurer’s reinsurance premium earned during the period of the Subscribing Reinsurer’s participation hereon.





	
C.
	
Additionally, in the event of any of the circumstances listed in paragraph A of this Article, the Company shall have the option to commute the Subscribing Reinsurer’s liability for losses on Policies covered by this Contract. In the event the Company and the Subscribing Reinsurer cannot agree on the commutation amount, they shall appoint an actuary and/or appraiser to assess such amount and shall share equally any expense of the actuary and/or appraiser. If the Company and the Subscribing Reinsurer cannot agree on an actuary and/or appraiser, the Company and the Subscribing Reinsurer each shall nominate three individuals, of whom the other shall decline two, and the final appointment shall be made by drawing lots. Payment by the Subscribing Reinsurer of the amount of liability ascertained shall constitute a complete and final release of both parties in respect of liability arising from the Subscribing Reinsurer’s participation under this Contract.





	
D.
	
The Company’s option to require commutation under paragraph C above shall survive the termination or expiration of this Contract.




ARTICLE 6

TERRITORY

The territorial limits of this Contract shall be identical with those of the Company’s Policies.

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ARTICLE 7

EXCLUSIONS


	
A.
	
This Contract shall not apply to and specifically excludes:





	
 
	
1.
	
Flood when written as such.





	
 
	
2.
	
Earthquake for standalone Policies where earthquake is the only named peril.





	
 
	
3.
	
Hail damage to an insured’s growing or standing crops.





	
 
	
4.
	
Reinsurance assumed by the Company under obligatory reinsurance agreements, except intercompany reinsurance between the Company and its affiliates and agency reinsurance where the Policies involved are to be re-underwritten in accordance with the underwriting standards of the Company and reissued as Policies of the Company at the next anniversary or expiration date.





	
 
	
5.
	
Pools, Associations & Syndicates, per the attached exclusion.





	
 
	
6.
	
Liability of the Company arising by contract, operation of law, or otherwise, from its participation or membership, whether voluntary or involuntary, in any Insolvency Fund. “Insolvency Fund” includes any guaranty fund, insolvency fund, plan, pool, association, fund or other arrangement, howsoever denominated, established or governed, that provides for any assessment of or payment or assumption by the Company of part or all of any claim, debt, charge, fee, or other obligation of an insurer, or its successors or assigns, that has been declared by any competent authority to be insolvent, or that is otherwise deemed unable to meet any claim, debt, charge, fee or other obligation in whole or in part.





	
 
	
7.
	
Loss or damage occasioned by war, invasion, hostilities, acts of foreign enemies, civil war, rebellion, insurrection, military or usurped power, martial law, or confiscation by order of any government or public authority, but not excluding loss or damage that would be covered under a standard form of Policy containing a standard war exclusion clause.





	
 
	
8.
	
Losses excluded by the attached Nuclear Incident Exclusion Clause – Physical Damage – Reinsurance – U.S.A.





	
 
	
9.
	
Terrorism as defined in the attached Terrorism Exclusion.





	
 
	
10.
	
Mold unless directly resulting from an otherwise covered peril.





	
 
	
11.
	
Loss and/or damage and/or costs and/or expenses arising from seepage and/or pollution and/or contamination, other than contamination from smoke. Nevertheless, this exclusion does not preclude payment of the cost of removing debris of property damaged by a loss otherwise covered hereunder, subject always to a limit of 25.0% of the Company’s property loss under the applicable original Policy.




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12.
	
Financial guarantee and insolvency.





	
 
	
13.
	
Loss or damage to overhead transmission and distribution lines, including supporting structures, of electrical companies, telephone companies, and cable companies. This exclusion shall not apply, however, to transmission and distribution lines and their supporting structures located on the property of any original insured or within 1,000 feet thereof.





	
 
	
14.
	
Losses excluded by the attached Communicable Disease Exclusion (Property Reinsurance).





	
B.
	
With the exception of subparagraphs A(7), A(8), A(9) and A(12) above, should any judicial, regulatory or legislative entity having legal jurisdiction invalidate any exclusion on the Company's Policy, any amount of loss for which the Company is liable because of such invalidation will not be excluded hereunder.





	
C.
	
Except as respects exclusions A(7), A(8), A(9), and A(12), if the Company inadvertently issues a Policy falling within the scope of one or more of the exclusions, such Policy shall be covered hereunder, provided that the Company issues, or causes to be issued, the required notice of cancellation within 30 days after a member of the executive or managerial staff at the Company’s home office having underwriting authority in the class of business involved becomes aware that the Policy applies to excluded classes, unless the Company is prevented from canceling said Policy within such period by applicable statute or regulation, in which case such Policy shall be covered hereunder until the earliest date on which the Company may cancel.




ARTICLE 8

SPECIAL ACCEPTANCE

Business that is not within the scope of this Contract may be submitted to the Reinsurer for special acceptance hereunder, and such business, if accepted by the Reinsurer shall be covered hereunder, subject to the terms and conditions of this Contract, except as modified by the special acceptance. The Reinsurer shall be deemed to have accepted a risk, if it has not responded within five business days after receiving the underwriting information on such risk. Any renewal of a special acceptance agreed to for a predecessor contract to this Contract, shall automatically be covered hereunder.

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ARTICLE 9

PREMIUM


	
A.
	
The Company shall pay the Reinsurer a Deposit Premium of **** for the term of this Contract, payable on June 1, 2020.





	
B.
	
Within 45 days following the expiration of this Contract, the Company shall provide the Reinsurer with a report showing the Company’s final Total Insured Value. This final Total Insured Value shall be multiplied by a rate of ****. Should this amount be greater than or equal to **** and less than or equal to **** of the Deposit Premium as set forth above, there shall be no additional or return premium due. Should the amount so calculated exceed **** of the Deposit Premium paid in accordance with paragraph A above, the Company shall immediately pay the Reinsurer the difference in excess of **** of the Deposit Premium. Should the amount so calculated be less than **** of the Deposit Premium paid in accordance with paragraph A of this Article, the Reinsurer shall immediately pay the Company the difference below **** of the Deposit Premium, subject to a Minimum Premium for the Contract of ****.





	
C.
	
“Total Insured Value” means the Company’s aggregate wind exposures on September 30, 2020 for business covered hereunder.





	
D.
	
The estimated Total Insured Value is $50,419,672,715.





	
E.
	
The Company shall furnish the Reinsurer with such reasonably available information as may be reasonably required by the Reinsurer for completion of the Reinsurer’s financial statements.




ARTICLE 10

REINSTATEMENT


	
A.
	
Loss payments under this Contract shall reduce the limit of coverage afforded by the amounts paid, but the limit of coverage shall be reinstated from the time of the occurrence of the loss, and for each amount so reinstated, the Company agrees to pay, simultaneously with the Reinsurer’s loss payment, an additional premium calculated at pro rata of the Reinsurer’s premium for the term of this Contract, being pro rata only as to the fraction of the Reinsurer’s limit of liability hereunder (i.e., the fraction of the Reinsurer’s limit of liability for each Loss Occurrence as set forth in the Retention and Limit Article) so reinstated. Nevertheless, the Reinsurer’s liability shall not exceed such limit(s) in respect of any one Loss Occurrence, nor the applicable limit(s) in respect of all Loss Occurrences commencing during the term of this Contract, as set forth in the Retention and Limit Article.





	
B.
	
If at the time of a loss settlement hereon the reinsurance premium, as calculated in accordance with the Premium Article, is unknown, the above calculation of reinstatement premium shall be based upon the Deposit Premium, subject to adjustment when the reinsurance premium is finally established.




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ARTICLE 11

DEFINITIONS


	
A.
	
1.“Ultimate Net Loss” means the actual loss paid by the Company or which the Company becomes liable to pay, such loss to include Loss Adjustment Expense, 100% of any Extra Contractual Obligation and 100% of any Loss in Excess of Policy Limits as defined in the Extra Contractual Obligations/Excess of Policy Limits Article. In no event, however, shall more than 25% of “Ultimate Net Loss” for any one Loss Occurrence be comprised of Extra Contractual Obligations and Loss in Excess of Policy Limits.





	
 
	
2.
	
Salvages and all recoveries (including amounts due from all reinsurances that inure to the benefit of this Contract, whether recovered or not), shall be first deducted from such loss to arrive at the amount of liability attaching hereunder.





	
 
	
3.
	
All salvages, recoveries or payments recovered or received subsequent to loss settlement hereunder shall be applied as if recovered or received prior to the aforesaid settlement, and all necessary adjustments shall be made by the parties hereto.





	
 
	
4.
	
The Company shall be deemed to be “liable to pay” a loss when a judgment has been rendered that the Company does not plan to appeal, and/or the Company has obtained a release, and/or the Company has accepted a proof of loss, and/or the Company has made a commitment to pay, and/or the Company has scheduled the payment of a loss.





	
 
	
5.
	
Nothing in this clause shall be construed to mean that losses are not recoverable hereunder until the Company’s “Ultimate Net Loss” has been ascertained.





	
B.
	
“Loss Adjustment Expense” means costs and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the investigation, appraisal, adjustment, settlement, litigation, defense or appeal of a specific claim or loss, or alleged loss, including but not limited to:





	
 
	
1.
	
court costs;





	
 
	
2.
	
costs of supersedeas and appeal bonds;





	
 
	
3.
	
monitoring counsel expenses;





	
 
	
4.
	
legal expenses and costs incurred in connection with coverage questions and legal actions connected thereto, including but not limited to declaratory judgment actions;





	
 
	
5.
	
post-judgment interest;





	
 
	
6.
	
pre-judgment interest, unless included as part of an award or judgment;





	
 
	
7.
	
a pro rata share of salaries and expenses of Company field employees, calculated in accordance with the time occupied in adjusting such loss, and expenses of other Company employees who have been temporarily diverted from their normal and customary duties and assigned to the field adjustment of losses covered by this Contract; and




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8.
	
subrogation, salvage and recovery expenses.




“Loss Adjustment Expense” does not include salaries and expenses of the Company’s employees, except as provided in subparagraph (7) above, and office and other overhead expenses.


	
C.
	
1. “Loss Occurrence” means the sum of all individual losses directly occasioned by any one disaster, accident or loss or series of disasters, accidents or losses arising out of one event. However, the duration and extent of any one “Loss Occurrence” shall be limited to all individual losses sustained by the Company occurring during any period of 168 consecutive hours arising out of and directly occasioned by the same event except that the term “Loss Occurrence” shall be further defined as follows:





	
 
	
a.
	
As regards any “Named Storm,” all individual losses sustained by the Company arising out of and directly occasioned by such “Named Storm,” without regard to the limitations of duration and extent set forth above. “Named Storm” means any storm or storm system declared by the US National Hurricane Center, US Central Pacific Hurricane Center, US Weather Prediction Center, or their successor organizations, all being divisions of the US National Weather Service to be a tropical storm or hurricane, and any successors thereof. A storm or storm system that merges with a “Named Storm” shall be considered part of that “Named Storm,” once it has merged. A “Named Storm” shall be deemed to begin at the effective time and date of the first watch, warning or other official advisory applicable to such tropical storm or hurricane issued by the above referenced governmental meteorological agencies. A “Named Storm” shall be deemed to end 72 hours after the cancellation of the last watch, warning or other official advisory applicable to such tropical storm, hurricane or successor, issued by the above referenced governmental meteorological agencies irrespective of the duration of the timing or spacing between such watches, warnings or other official advisories. If two or more storms are assigned different names by the above referenced governmental meteorological agencies, each of those storms shall constitute a separate event for purposes of this definition.





	
 
	
b.
	
As regards windstorm, hail, tornado, cyclone, including ensuing collapse and water damage other than “Named Storm,” all individual losses sustained by the Company occurring during any period of 96 consecutive hours arising out of and directly occasioned by the same event.





	
 
	
c.
	
As regards riot, riot attending a strike, civil commotion, vandalism and malicious mischief, all individual losses sustained by the Company occurring during any period of 96 consecutive hours arising out of and directly occasioned by the same event. The maximum duration of 96 consecutive hours may be extended in respect of individual losses that occur beyond such 96 consecutive hours during the continued occupation of an assured’s premises by strikers, provided such occupation commenced during the aforesaid period.




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d.
	
As regards earthquake and fire following directly occasioned by the earthquake, those earthquake losses and individual fire losses that commence during the period of 168 consecutive hours may be included in the Company’s “Loss Occurrence”.





	
 
	
e.
	
As regards any related weather conditions involving snow, sleet, freezing rain, freeze, ice, winter weather, and wind losses related to such conditions, all individual losses sustained by the Company, that occur during any period of 168 consecutive hours arising out of and directly occasioned by the same event.





	
 
	
f.
	
As regards firestorms, brush fires and other fires or series of fires, irrespective of origin (except for fires covered in subparagraphs (c) and (d) above) which spread through trees, grassland or other vegetation, all individual losses sustained by the Company occurring during any period of 168 consecutive hours within a 150-mile radius of any fixed point selected by the Company may be included in the Company’s “Loss Occurrence.” However, an individual loss subject to this subparagraph cannot be included in more than one “Loss Occurrence”.





	
 
	
2.
	
Except as provided in subparagraph (1)(a) above:





	
 
	
a.
	
The Company may choose the date and time when any such period of consecutive hours commences provided that it is not earlier than the date and time of the occurrence of the first recorded individual loss sustained by the Company arising out of that disaster, accident or loss.





	
 
	
b.
	
Only one period of consecutive hours shall apply with respect to one event, except that, as respects those “Loss Occurrences” referred to in subparagraph (1)(c) above, if the disaster, accident or loss occasioned by the event is of greater duration than 96 consecutive hours, then the Company may divide that disaster, accident or loss into two or more “Loss Occurrences” provided no two periods overlap and no individual loss is included in more than one such period and provided that no period commences earlier than the date and time of the occurrence of the first recorded individual loss sustained by the Company arising out of that disaster, accident or loss.





	
 
	
3.
	
Losses arising from a combination of two or more perils as a result of the same event shall be considered as having arisen from one “Loss Occurrence.” Furthermore, all losses arising from an event involving a combination of losses described in subparagraphs (1)(a) and (1)(b) may be considered as having arisen from one “Loss Occurrence.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, the hourly limitations as stated above shall not be exceeded as respects the applicable perils, and, except as respects those “Loss Occurrences” involving a “Named Storm” referred to in subparagraph (1)(a) above, no single “Loss Occurrence” shall encompass a time period greater than 168 consecutive hours.




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D.
	
“Policy” means any binder, policy, or contract of insurance or reinsurance issued, accepted or held covered provisionally or otherwise, by or on behalf of the Company.




ARTICLE 12

EXTRA CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS/EXCESS OF POLICY LIMITS


	
A.
	
This Contract shall cover Extra Contractual Obligations, as provided in the definition of Ultimate Net Loss. “Extra Contractual Obligations” shall be defined as those liabilities not covered under any other provision of this Contract and that arise from the handling of any claim on business covered hereunder, such liabilities arising because of, but not limited to, the following: failure by the Company to settle within the Policy limit, or by reason of alleged or actual negligence, fraud or bad faith in rejecting an offer of settlement or in the preparation of the defense or in the trial of any action against its insured or reinsured or in the preparation or prosecution of an appeal consequent upon such action.





	
B.
	
This Contract shall cover Loss in Excess of Policy Limits, as provided in the definition of Ultimate Net Loss. “Loss in Excess of Policy Limits” shall be defined as Loss in excess of the Policy limit, having been incurred because of, but not limited to, failure by the Company to settle within the Policy limit or by reason of alleged or actual negligence, fraud or bad faith in rejecting an offer of settlement or in the preparation of the defense or in the trial of any action against its insured or reinsured or in the preparation or prosecution of an appeal consequent upon such action.





	
C.
	
An Extra Contractual Obligation and/or Loss in Excess of Policy Limits shall be deemed to have occurred on the same date as the loss covered under the Company’s Policy, and shall constitute part of the original loss.





	
D.
	
For the purposes of the Loss in Excess of Policy Limits coverage hereunder, the word “Loss” shall mean any amounts for which the Company would have been contractually liable to pay had it not been for the limit of the original Policy.





	
E.
	
Loss Adjustment Expense in respect of Extra Contractual Obligations and/or Loss in Excess of Policy Limits shall be covered hereunder in the same manner as other Loss Adjustment Expense.





	
F.
	
However, this Article shall not apply where the loss has been incurred due to final legal adjudication of fraud of a member of the Board of Directors or a corporate officer of the Company acting individually or collectively or in collusion with any individual or corporation or any other organization or party involved in the presentation, defense or settlement of any claim covered hereunder.





	
G.
	
In no event shall coverage be provided to the extent not permitted under law. 




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ARTICLE 13

NET RETAINED LIABILITY


	
A.
	
This Contract applies only to that portion of any loss that the Company retains net for its own account (prior to deduction of any reinsurance that inures solely to the benefit of the Company).





	
B.
	
The amount of the Reinsurer’s liability hereunder in respect of any loss or losses shall not be increased by reason of the inability of the Company to collect from any other reinsurer(s), whether specific or general, any amounts that may have become due from such reinsurer(s), whether such inability arises from the insolvency of such other reinsurer(s) or otherwise.




ARTICLE 14

OTHER REINSURANCE

The Company shall be permitted to carry in force other reinsurance, recoveries under which shall inure to the benefit of this Contract.

ARTICLE 15

ORIGINAL CONDITIONS

All reinsurance under this Contract shall be subject to the same terms, conditions, waivers and interpretations, and to the same modifications and alterations as the respective Policies of the Company. However, in no event shall this be construed in any way to provide coverage outside the terms and conditions set forth in this Contract.

ARTICLE 16

NO THIRD PARTY RIGHTS

This Contract is solely between the Company and the Reinsurer, and in no instance shall any insured, claimant or other third party have any rights under this Contract except as may be expressly provided otherwise herein.

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ARTICLE 17

NOTICE OF LOSS AND LOSS SETTLEMENTS


	
A.
	
The Company shall advise the Reinsurer promptly if paid and estimated Ultimate Net Loss is in excess of 75% of the Company’s retention, or if, in the opinion of the Company, such Ultimate Net Loss may result in a claim hereunder. Thereafter, the Company shall advise the Reinsurer, at least monthly, of all subsequent developments thereto that may materially affect the position of the Reinsurer.





	
B.
	
The Company alone and at its full discretion shall adjust, settle or compromise all claims and losses.





	
C.
	
As respects losses subject to this Contract, all loss settlements made by the Company, whether under strict Policy terms or by way of compromise, and any Extra Contractual Obligations and/or Loss in Excess of Policy Limits, shall be binding upon the Reinsurer. The Reinsurer agrees to pay or allow, as the case may be, its share of each such settlement immediately upon receipt of reasonable evidence of the amount paid by the Company or that the Company estimates it will pay within the next 14 days. Within 30 days after receipt of the Reinsurer’s payment, the Company shall report to the Reinsurer the Reinsurer’s payment, minus the Reinsurer’s share of losses subject to this Contract that the Company has paid, or become liable to pay, as of the date of the report. Any positive difference shall be remitted to the Reinsurer with the Company’s report.




ARTICLE 18

LATE PAYMENTS


	
A.
	
In the event any payment due either party is not received by the payment due date, the partyto whom payment is due may, by written notification, require the debtor party to pay, and the debtor party agrees to pay, an interest penalty on the amount past due calculated for each such payment on the last business day of each month as follows:





	
 
	
1.
	
The number of full days that have expired since the overdue date or the last monthly calculation, whichever the lesser; times





	
 
	
2.
	
1/365th of the sum of the six-month United States Treasury Bill rate as quoted in The Wall Street Journal on the first business day of the month for which the calculation is made, plus 1%; times





	
 
	
3.
	
The amount past due, including accrued interest.




Interest shall accumulate until payment of the original amount due plus interest penalties have been received.

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B.
	
The due date shall, for purposes of this Article, be determined as follows:





	
 
	
1.
	
Payments from the Reinsurer to the Company shall be due on the date on which the demand for payment (including delivery of bordereaux or quarterly or monthly reports) is received by the Reinsurer, and shall be overdue 30 days thereafter.





	
 
	
2.
	
Payments from the Company to the Reinsurer shall be due on the dates specified within this Contract. Payments shall be overdue 30 days thereafter except for the first installment of premium, if applicable, which shall be overdue 60 days from inception or 30 days from final line-signing, whichever the later. Reinstatement premium, if applicable, shall have as a due date the date when the Company receives payment for the claim giving rise to such reinstatement premium, and payment shall be overdue 30 days thereafter. In the event a due date is not specifically stated for a given payment, the overdue date shall be 30 days following the date of billing.





	
C.
	
If the information contained in the Company’s demand for payment is insufficient or not in accordance with the conditions of this Contract, then within 30 days the Reinsurer shall request from the Company all additional information necessary to validate its claim and the payment due date as defined in paragraph B shall be deemed to be the date upon which the Reinsurer received the requested additional information. This paragraph is only for the purpose of establishing when a payment is overdue, and shall not alter the provisions of the Notice of Loss and Loss Settlements Article or other pertinent contractual stipulations.





	
D.
	
In the event arbitration is necessary to settle a dispute, the panel shall have the authority to make a determination awarding interest to the prevailing party. Interest, if any, awarded by the panel shall supersede the interest amounts outlined herein.





	
E.
	
Any interest owed pursuant to this Article may be waived by the party to which it is owed. Waiver of such interest, however, shall not affect the waiving party’s rights to other interest amounts due as a result of this Article.




ARTICLE 19

OFFSET

Each party hereto shall have, and may exercise at any time and from time to time, the right to offset any and all balances due from a party to the other arising under this Contract. In the event of the insolvency of a party hereto, offsets shall only be allowed in accordance with the provisions of any applicable law governing offset entitlement.

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ARTICLE 20

CURRENCY


	
A.
	
Where the word “Dollars” and/or the sign “$” appear in this Contract, they shall mean United States Dollars, and all payments hereunder shall be in United States Dollars.





	
B.
	
For purposes of this Contract, where the Company receives premiums or pays losses in currencies other than United States Dollars, such premiums or losses shall be converted into United States Dollars at the actual rates of exchange at which these premiums or losses are entered in the Company’s books.




ARTICLE 21

UNAUTHORIZED REINSURANCE


	
A.
	
This Article applies only to the extent a Subscribing Reinsurer does not qualify for credit with any insurance regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Company’s reserves.





	
B.
	
The Company agrees, in respect of its Policies or bonds falling within the scope of this Contract, that when it files with its insurance regulatory authority, or sets up on its books liabilities as required by law, it shall forward to the Reinsurer a statement showing the proportion of such liabilities applicable to the Reinsurer. The “Reinsurer’s Obligations” shall be defined as follows:





	
 
	
1.
	
unearned premium (if applicable);





	
 
	
2.
	
known outstanding losses that have been reported to the Reinsurer and Loss Adjustment Expense relating thereto;





	
 
	
3.
	
losses and Loss Adjustment Expense paid by the Company but not recovered from the Reinsurer;





	
 
	
4.
	
losses incurred but not reported and Loss Adjustment Expense relating thereto;





	
 
	
5.
	
all other amounts for which the Company cannot take credit on its financial statements unless funding is provided by the Reinsurer.





	
C. 
	
The Reinsurer’s Obligations shall be funded by funds withheld, cash advances, Trust Agreement or a Letter of Credit (LOC). The Reinsurer shall have the option of determining the method of funding provided it is acceptable to the insurance regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Company’s reserves.





	
D. 
	
When funding by Trust Agreement, the Reinsurer shall ensure that the Trust Agreement complies with the provisions of the “Trust Agreement Requirements Clause” attached hereto. When funding by an LOC, the Reinsurer agrees to apply for and secure timely delivery to the Company of a clean, irrevocable and unconditional LOC issued by a bank and containing provisions acceptable to the insurance regulatory authorities having 




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jurisdiction over the Company’s reserves in an amount equal to the Reinsurer’s Obligations. Such LOC shall be issued for a period of not less than one year, and shall be automatically extended for one year from its date of expiration or any future expiration date unless 30 days (or such other time period as may be required by insurance regulatory authorities), prior to any expiration date the issuing bank shall notify the Company by certified or registered mail that the issuing bank elects not to consider the LOC extended for any additional period.





	
E.
	
The Reinsurer and the Company agree that any funding provided by the Reinsurer pursuant to the provisions of this Contract may be drawn upon at any time, notwithstanding any other provision of this Contract, and be utilized by the Company or any successor, by operation of law, of the Company including, without limitation, any liquidator, rehabilitator, receiver or conservator of the Company, for the following purposes, unless otherwise provided for in a separate Trust Agreement:





	
 
	
1.
	
to reimburse the Company for the Reinsurer’s Obligations, the payment of which is due under the terms of this Contract and that has not been otherwise paid;





	
 
	
2.
	
to make refund of any sum that is in excess of the actual amount required to pay the Reinsurer’s Obligations under this Contract (or in excess of 102% of the Reinsurer’s Obligations, if funding is provided by a Trust Agreement);





	
 
	
3.
	
to fund an account with the Company for the Reinsurer’s Obligations. Such cash deposit shall be held in an interest bearing account separate from the Company’s other assets, and interest thereon not in excess of the prime rate shall accrue to the benefit of the Reinsurer. Any taxes payable on accrued interest shall be paid out of the assets in the account that are in excess of the Reinsurer’s Obligations (or in excess of 102% of the Reinsurer’s Obligations, if funding is provided by a Trust Agreement). If the assets are inadequate to pay taxes, any taxes due shall be paid or reimbursed by the Reinsurer;





	
 
	
4.
	
to pay the Reinsurer’s share of any other amounts the Company claims are due under this Contract.





	
F.
	
If the amount drawn by the Company is in excess of the actual amount required for E(1) or E(3), or in the case of E(4), the actual amount determined to be due, the Company shall promptly return to the Reinsurer the excess amount so drawn. All of the foregoing shall be applied without diminution because of insolvency on the part of the Company or the Reinsurer.





	
G.
	
The issuing bank shall have no responsibility whatsoever in connection with the propriety of withdrawals made by the Company or the disposition of funds withdrawn, except to ensure that withdrawals are made only upon the order of properly authorized representatives of the Company.




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H.
	
At annual intervals, or more frequently at the discretion of the Company, but never more frequently than quarterly, the Company shall prepare a specific statement of the Reinsurer’s Obligations for the sole purpose of amending the LOC or other method of funding, in the following manner:





	
 
	
1.
	
If the statement shows that the Reinsurer’s Obligations exceed the balance of the LOC as of the statement date, the Reinsurer shall, within 30 days after receipt of the statement, secure delivery to the Company of an amendment to the LOC increasing the amount of credit by the amount of such difference. Should another method of funding be used, the Reinsurer shall, within the time period outlined above, increase such funding by the amount of such difference.





	
 
	
2.
	
If, however, the statement shows that the Reinsurer’s Obligations are less than the balance of the LOC (or that 102% of the Reinsurer’s Obligations are less than the trust account balance if funding is provided by a Trust Agreement), as of the statement date, the Company shall, within 30 days after receipt of written request from the Reinsurer, release such excess credit by agreeing to secure an amendment to the LOC reducing the amount of credit available by the amount of such excess credit. Should another method of funding be used, the Company shall, within the time period outlined above, decrease such funding by the amount of such excess.




ARTICLE 22

TAXES


	
A.
	
In consideration of the terms under which this Contract is issued, the Company undertakes not to claim any deduction of the premium hereon when making Canadian tax returns or when making tax returns, other than Income or Profits Tax returns, to any state or territory of the United States of America or to the District of Columbia.





	
B.
	
1. Each Subscribing Reinsurer has agreed to allow, for the purpose of paying the Federal Excise Tax, the applicable percentage of the premium payable hereon (as imposed under the Internal Revenue Code) to the extent such premium is subject to Federal Excise Tax.





	
 
	
2.
	
In the event of any return of premium becoming due hereunder, the Subscribing Reinsurer shall deduct the applicable percentage of the premium from the amount of the return, and the Company or its agent should take steps to recover the Tax from the U.S. Government.




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ARTICLE 23

ACCESS TO RECORDS


	
A.
	
The Reinsurer or its duly authorized representatives shall have the right to visit the offices of the Company to inspect, examine, audit, and verify any of the policy, accounting or claim files (“Records”) relating to business reinsured under this Contract during regular business hours after giving five working days’ prior notice. This right shall be exercisable during the term of this Contract or after the expiration of this Contract. Notwithstanding the above, the Reinsurer shall not have any right of access to the Records of the Company if it is not current in all undisputed payments due the Company.





	
B.
	
Notwithstanding the above, the Company reserves the right to withhold from the Reinsurer any Privileged Documents. However, the Company shall permit and not object to the Reinsurer’s access to Privileged Documents in connection with the underlying claim reinsured hereunder following final settlement or final adjudication of the case or cases involving such claim, with prejudice against all claimants and all parties to such adjudications; the Company may defer release of such Privileged Documents if there are subrogation, contribution, or other third party actions with respect to that claim or case, and the Company’s defense might be jeopardized by release of such Privileged Documents. In the event that the Company seeks to defer release of such Privileged Documents, it shall, in consultation with the Reinsurer, take other steps as reasonably necessary to provide the Reinsurer with the information it reasonably requires to indemnify the Company without causing a loss of such privileges or protections. The Reinsurer shall not have access to Privileged Documents relating to any dispute between the Company and the Reinsurer.





	
C.
	
For purposes of this Article:





	
 
	
1.
	
“Privileged Documents” means any documents that are Attorney-Client Privilege Documents and/or Work Product Privilege Documents.





	
 
	
2.
	
“Attorney-Client Privilege Documents” means communications of a confidential nature between (a) the Company, or anyone retained by or at the direction of the Company, or its in-house or outside legal counsel, or anyone in the control of such legal counsel, and (b) any in-house or outside legal counsel, if such communications relate to legal advice being sought by the Company and/or contain legal advice being provided to the Company.





	
 
	
3.
	
“Work Product Privilege Documents” means communications, written materials and tangible things prepared by or for in-house or outside counsel, or prepared by or for the Company, in anticipation of or in connection with litigation, arbitration, or other dispute resolution proceedings.




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ARTICLE 24

CONFIDENTIALITY


	
A.
	
The Reinsurer hereby acknowledges that the documents, information and data provided to it by the Company, whether directly or through an authorized agent, in connection with the placement and execution of this Contract (“Confidential Information”) are proprietary and confidential to the Company. Confidential Information shall not include documents, information or data that the Reinsurer can show:





	
 
	
1.
	
are publicly known or have become publicly known through no unauthorized act of the Reinsurer;





	
 
	
2.
	
have been rightfully received from a third person without obligation of confidentiality; or





	
 
	
3.
	
were known by the Reinsurer prior to the placement of this Contract without an obligation of confidentiality.





	
B. 
	
Absent the written consent of the Company, the Reinsurer shall not disclose any Confidential Information to any third parties, including any affiliated companies (except to the extent necessary to enable affiliated companies or third parties engaged by the Reinsurer to perform services related to this Contract on behalf of the Reinsurer), except:





	
 
	
1.
	
when required by retrocessionaires as respects business ceded to this Contract;





	
 
	
2.
	
when required by regulators performing an audit of the Reinsurer’s records and/or financial condition; or





	
 
	
3.
	
when required by external auditors performing an audit of the Reinsurer’s records in the normal course of business.




Further, the Reinsurer agrees not to use any Confidential Information for any purpose not related to the performance of its obligations or enforcement of its rights under this Contract.


	
C.
	
Notwithstanding the above, in the event that the Reinsurer is required by court order, other




legal process or any regulatory authority to release or disclose any or all of the Confidential Information, the Reinsurer agrees to provide the Company with written notice of same at least 10 days prior to such release or disclosure and to use its best efforts to assist the Company in maintaining the confidentiality provided for in this Article.


	
D.
	
The provisions of this Article shall extend to the officers, directors and employees of the




Reinsurer and its affiliates, and shall be binding upon their successors and assigns.

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ARTICLE 25

INDEMNIFICATION AND ERRORS AND OMISSIONS


	
A. 
	
The Reinsurer is reinsuring, subject to the terms and conditions of this Contract, the obligations of the Company under any Policy. The Company shall be the sole judge as to:





	
 
	
1.
	
what shall constitute a claim or loss covered under any Policy;





	
 
	
2.
	
the Company’s liability thereunder;





	
 
	
3.
	
the amount or amounts that it shall be proper for the Company to pay thereunder.





	
B.
	
The Reinsurer shall be bound by the judgment of the Company as to the obligation(s) and liability(ies) of the Company under any Policy.





	
C.
	
Any inadvertent error, omission or delay in complying with the terms and conditions of this Contract shall not be held to relieve either party hereto from any liability that would attach to it hereunder if such error, omission or delay had not been made, provided such error, omission or delay is rectified immediately upon discovery.





	
D.
	
Nothing in this Article shall be construed to override any of the other terms and conditions of this Contract.




ARTICLE 26

INSOLVENCY


	
A.
	
If more than one reinsured company is referenced within the definition of “Company” in the Preamble to this Contract, this Article shall apply severally to each such company. Further, this Article and the laws of the domiciliary state shall apply in the event of the insolvency of any company covered hereunder. In the event of a conflict between any provision of this Article and the laws of the domiciliary state of any company covered hereunder, that domiciliary state’s laws shall prevail.





	
B.
	
In the event of the insolvency of the Company, this reinsurance (or the portion of any risk or obligation assumed by the Reinsurer, if required by applicable law) shall be payable directly to the Company, or to its liquidator, receiver, conservator or statutory successor, either: (1) on the basis of the liability of the Company, or (2) on the basis of claims filed and allowed in the liquidation proceeding, whichever may be required by applicable statute, without diminution because of the insolvency of the Company or because the liquidator, receiver, conservator or statutory successor of the Company has failed to pay all or a portion of any claim. It is agreed, however, that the liquidator, receiver, conservator or statutory successor of the Company shall give written notice to the Reinsurer of the pendency of a claim against the Company indicating the Policy or bond reinsured, which claim would involve a possible liability on the part of the Reinsurer within a reasonable time after such claim is filed in the conservation or liquidation proceeding or in the receivership, and that during the pendency of such claim, the Reinsurer may investigate such claim and interpose, 




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at its own expense, in the proceeding where such claim is to be adjudicated any defense or defenses that it may deem available to the Company or its liquidator, receiver, conservator or statutory successor. The expense thus incurred by the Reinsurer shall be chargeable, subject to the approval of the court, against the Company as part of the expense of conservation or liquidation to the extent of a pro rata share of the benefit that may accrue to the Company solely as a result of the defense undertaken by the Reinsurer.





	
C.
	
Where two or more reinsurers are involved in the same claim and a majority in interest elect to interpose defense to such claim, the expense shall be apportioned in accordance with the terms of this reinsurance Contract as though such expense had been incurred by the Company.





	
D.
	
As to all reinsurance made, ceded, renewed or otherwise becoming effective under this Contract, the reinsurance shall be payable as set forth above by the Reinsurer to the Company or to its liquidator, receiver, conservator or statutory successor, (except as provided by Section 4118(a)(1)(A) of the New York Insurance Law, provided the conditions of 1114(c) of such law have been met, if New York law applies) or except (1) where the Contract specifically provides another payee in the event of the insolvency of the Company, or (2) where the Reinsurer, with the consent of the direct insured or insureds, has assumed such Policy obligations of the Company as direct obligations of the Reinsurer to the payees under such Policies and in substitution for the obligations of the Company to such payees. Then, and in that event only, the Company, with the prior approval of the certificate of assumption on New York risks by the Superintendent of Financial Services of the State of New York, or with the prior approval of such other regulatory authority as may be applicable, is entirely released from its obligation and the Reinsurer shall pay any loss directly to payees under such Policy.




ARTICLE 27

RUN-OFF REINSURER


	
A.
	
“Run-off Reinsurer” means any Subscribing Reinsurer that:





	
 
	
1.
	
has been ordered by a state insurance department or other legal authority to cease writing business, or has been placed under regulatory supervision or in rehabilitation; or





	
 
	
2.
	
has ceased reinsurance underwriting operations; or





	
 
	
3.
	
has transferred its claims-paying authority to an unaffiliated entity; or





	
 
	
4.
	
engages in a process of Scheme of Arrangement or similar procedure related to this Contract, including but not limited to an insurance business transfer scheme pursuant to Part VII of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (U.K.), as may be amended from time to time; or




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5.
	
in any other way has assigned its interests or delegated its obligations under this Contract to an unaffiliated entity.




Notwithstanding the foregoing, agreement by a Lloyd’s syndicate to follow claim settlements procedures under Lloyd’s Claims Scheme (Combined) shall not constitute a transfer of its claims-paying authority, for purposes of subparagraphs (3) and (5) of this paragraph.


	
B. 
	
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Contract, in the event that a Subscribing Reinsurer becomes a Run-off Reinsurer at any time, the Company may elect, by giving written notice to the Run-off Reinsurer at any time thereafter, that all or any of the following shall apply to the Run-off Reinsurer’s participation hereunder:





	
 
	
1.
	
Should the Run-off Reinsurer fail to pay amounts due hereunder, the interest penalty specified in the Late Payments Article shall be increased by 0.5% for each 30 days that a payment is past due, subject to a maximum increase of 7.0%.





	
 
	
2.
	
The Run-off Reinsurer’s liability for losses for Policies covered by this Contract shall be commuted. In the event the Company and the Run-off Reinsurer cannot agree on the commutation amount of the Run-off Reinsurer’s liability under such Policies, they shall appoint an actuary and/or appraiser to assess such liability and shall share equally any expense of the actuary and/or appraiser. If the Company and the Run-off Reinsurer cannot agree on an actuary and/or appraiser, the Company and the Run-off Reinsurer each shall nominate three individuals, of whom the other shall decline two, and the final appointment shall be made by drawing lots. Payment by the Run-off Reinsurer of the amount of liability ascertained shall constitute a complete and final release of both parties under this Contract.





	
 
	
3.
	
The Run-off Reinsurer shall have no right of access to the Records of the Company if the Run-off Reinsurer has denied payment of any claim hereunder or there is a pending arbitration between the Company and the Run-off Reinsurer regarding any claim hereunder. A reservation of rights shall be considered a denial of a claim. Notwithstanding the above, the Run-off Reinsurer shall continue to have access to Records of the Company for any claim for which it has raised a query within 30 days of its receipt of a billing, but any inspection of Records must be completed within 90 days of receipt of billing or access will be deemed waived.





	
 
	
4.
	
The provisions of the Arbitration Article shall not apply.





	
C.
	
The Company’s waiver of any rights provided in this Article is not a waiver of that right or other rights at a later date.




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ARTICLE 28

ARBITRATION


	
A.
	
Any dispute arising out of the interpretation, performance or breach of this Contract, including the formation or validity thereof, shall be submitted for decision to a panel of three arbitrators. Notice requesting arbitration shall be in writing and sent certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.





	
B.
	
One arbitrator shall be chosen by each party and the two arbitrators shall then choose an impartial third arbitrator who shall preside at the hearing. If either party fails to appoint its arbitrator within 30 days after being requested to do so by the other party, the latter, after 10 days’ prior notice by certified or registered mail of its intention to do so, may appoint the second arbitrator.





	
C.
	
If the two arbitrators do not agree on a third arbitrator within 60 days of their appointment, the third arbitrator shall be chosen in accordance with the procedures for selecting the third arbitrator in force on the date the arbitration is demanded, established by the AIDA Reinsurance and Insurance Arbitration Society – U.S. (ARIAS). The arbitrators shall be persons knowledgeable about insurance and reinsurance who have no personal or financial interest in the result of the arbitration. If a member of the panel dies, becomes disabled or is otherwise unwilling or unable to serve, a substitute shall be selected in the same manner as the departing member was chosen and the arbitration shall continue.





	
D.
	
Within 30 days after all arbitrators have been appointed, the panel shall meet and determine timely periods for briefs, discovery procedures and schedules of hearings.





	
E.
	
The panel shall be relieved of all judicial formality and shall not be bound by the strict rules of procedure and evidence. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Contract, the arbitrators may at their discretion, consider underwriting and placement information provided by the Company to the Reinsurer, as well as any correspondence exchanged by the parties that is related to this Contract. The arbitration shall take place in Tampa, Florida, or at such other place as the parties shall agree. The decision of any two arbitrators shall be in writing and shall be final and binding. The panel is empowered to grant interim relief as it may deem appropriate.





	
F.
	
The panel shall interpret this Contract as an honorable engagement rather than as merely a legal obligation and shall make its decision considering the custom and practice of the applicable insurance and reinsurance business as promptly as possible after the hearings. Judgment upon an award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.





	
G.
	
Each party shall bear the expense of its own arbitrator and shall jointly and equally bear with the other party the cost of the third arbitrator. The remaining costs of the arbitration shall be allocated by the panel. The panel may, at its discretion, award such further costs and expenses as it considers appropriate, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, to the extent permitted by law.




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ARTICLE 29

EXPEDITED ARBITRATION


	
A.
	
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Arbitration Article, in the event an amount in dispute hereunder $1,000,000 or less, the parties will submit to an expedited arbitration process with the use of a single arbitrator. The arbitrator will be chosen in accordance with the procedures for selecting an arbitrator in force on the date the arbitration is demanded, established by the AIDA Reinsurance and Insurance Arbitration Society - U.S. (ARIAS).





	
B.
	
Each party’s case will be submitted to the arbitrator within 100 calendar days of the date of determination of the arbitrator. Discovery will be limited to exchanging only those documents directly relating to the issue in dispute, subject to a limit of two discovery depositions from each party, unless otherwise authorized by the arbitrator upon a showing of good cause.





	
C.
	
Within 120 calendar days of the date of determination of the arbitrator, the hearing will be completed and a written award will be issued by the arbitrator. As the parties agree that time is of the essence, the sole arbitrator does not have the authority to lengthen the schedule, absent agreement of both parties. The arbitrator will have all the powers conferred on the arbitration panel as provided in the Arbitration Article, and said Article will apply to all matters not specifically addressed above.




ARTICLE 30

SERVICE OF SUIT


	
A.
	
This Article applies only to those Subscribing Reinsurers not domiciled in the United States of America, and/or not authorized in any state, territory and/or district of the United States of America where authorization is required by insurance regulatory authorities.





	
B.
	
This Article shall not be read to conflict with or override the obligations of the parties to arbitrate their disputes as provided for in the Arbitration Article. This Article is intended as an aid to compelling arbitration or enforcing such arbitration or arbitral award, not as an alternative to the Arbitration Article for resolving disputes arising out of this Contract.




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C.
	
In the event of the failure of the Reinsurer to perform its obligations hereunder, the Reinsurer, at the request of the Company, shall submit to the jurisdiction of a court of competent jurisdiction within the United States. Nothing in this Article constitutes or should be understood to constitute a waiver of the Reinsurer’s rights to commence an action in any court of competent jurisdiction in the United States, to remove an action to a United States District Court, or to seek a transfer of a case to another court as permitted by the laws of the United States or of any state in the United States. The Reinsurer, once the appropriate court is selected, whether such court is the one originally chosen by the Company and accepted by the Reinsurer or is determined by removal, transfer, or otherwise, as provided for above, shall comply with all requirements necessary to give said court jurisdiction and, in any suit instituted against the Reinsurer upon this Contract, shall abide by the final decision of such court or of any appellate court in the event of an appeal.





	
D.
	
Service of process in such suit may be made upon:





	
 
	
1.
	
as respects Underwriting Members of Lloyd’s, London: Lloyd’s America, Inc., Attention: Legal Department, 280 Park Avenue, East Tower, 25th Floor, New York, New York 10017;





	
 
	
2.
	
as respects any other Subscribing Reinsurer: Messrs. Mendes and Mount, 750 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019-6829, or another party specifically designated in the Subscribing Reinsurer’s Interests and Liabilities Agreement attached hereto.




The above-named are authorized and directed to accept service of process on behalf of the Reinsurer in any such suit.


	
E.
	
Further, pursuant to any statute of any state, territory or district of the United States that makes provision therefor, the Reinsurer hereby designates the Superintendent, Commissioner or Director of Insurance, or other officer specified for that purpose in the statute, or his successor or successors in office, as its true and lawful attorney upon whom may be served any lawful process in any action, suit or proceeding instituted by or on behalf of the Company or any beneficiary hereunder arising out of this Contract, and hereby designates the above-named as the person to whom the said officer is authorized to mail such process or a true copy thereof.




ARTICLE 31

GOVERNING LAW

This Contract shall be governed as to performance, administration and interpretation by the laws of the State of Florida, exclusive of conflict of law rules. However, with respect to credit for reinsurance, the rules of all applicable states shall apply.

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ARTICLE 32

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Contract sets forth all of the duties and obligations between the Company and the Reinsurer and supersedes any and all prior or contemporaneous written agreements with respect to matters referred to in this Contract. This Contract may not be modified or changed except by an amendment to this Contract in writing signed by both parties. However, this Article shall not be construed as limiting the admissibility of evidence regarding the formation, interpretation, purpose or intent of this Contract.

ARTICLE 33

NON-WAIVER

The failure of the Company or the Reinsurer to insist on compliance with this Contract or to exercise any right or remedy hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of any rights contained in this Contract nor prevent either party from thereafter demanding full and complete compliance nor prevent either party from exercising such remedy in the future.

ARTICLE 34

AGENCY

For purposes of sending and receiving notices and payments required by this Contract, the reinsured company that is set forth first in the Preamble to this Contract shall be deemed the agent of all other reinsured companies referenced in the Preamble. In no event, however, shall any reinsured company be deemed the agent of another with respect to the terms of the Insolvency Article.

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ARTICLE 35

MODE OF EXECUTION


	
A.
	
This Contract may be executed by:





	
 
	
1.
	
an original written ink signature of paper documents;





	
 
	
2.
	
an exchange of facsimile copies showing the original written ink signature of paper documents;





	
 
	
3.
	
electronic signature technology employing computer software and a digital signature or digitizer pen pad to capture a person’s handwritten signature in such a manner that the signature is unique to the person signing, is under the sole control of the person signing, is capable of verification to authenticate the signature and is linked to the document signed in such a manner that if the data is changed, such signature is invalidated.





	
B.
	
The use of any one or a combination of these methods of execution shall constitute a legally binding and valid signing of this Contract. This Contract may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which, when duly executed, shall be deemed an original.




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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Contract to be executed by its duly authorized representative(s), who also confirms the Company’s review of and agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Interests and Liabilities

Agreements attached to and forming part of this Contract, this _____ day of            , in the year of 2020.

HOMEOWNERS CHOICE PROPERTY & CASUALTY 
INSURANCE COMPANY, INC.

 

PROPERTY CATASTROPHE EXCESS OF LOSS REINSURANCE CONTRACT

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and on this                           day of                                     , in the year 2020.

TYPTAP INSURANCE COMPANY

 

PROPERTY CATASTROPHE FIRST EXCESS OF LOSS REINSURANCE CONTRACT

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POOLS, ASSOCIATIONS & SYNDICATES EXCLUSIONS CLAUSE

Section A:

This Contract excludes:


	
 
	
a.
	
All business derived directly or indirectly from any Pool, Association or Syndicate which maintains its own reinsurance facilities.





	
 
	
b.
	
Any Pool or Scheme (whether voluntary or mandatory) formed after March 1, 1968 for the purpose of insuring property, whether on a country-wide basis or in respect of designated areas. This exclusion shall not apply to so-called Automobile Insurance Plans or other Pools formed to provide coverage for Automobile Physical Damage.




Section B:


	
1.
	
This Contract excludes business written by the Company for the same perils, which is known at the time to be insured by, or in excess of underlying amounts placed in, any Pool, Association or Syndicate, whether by way of insurance or reinsurance, formed for the purpose of writing any of the following:




Oil, Gas or Petro-Chemical Plants

Oil or Gas Drilling Rigs and/or

Aviation Risks


	
2.
	
The exclusion under paragraph 1 of this Section B does not apply:





	
 
	
a.
	
Where the Total Insured Value over all interests of the risk in question is less than $250,000,000.





	
 
	
b.
	
To interests traditionally underwritten as Inland Marine and/or Stock and/or Contents written on a Blanket basis.





	
 
	
c.
	
To Contingent Business Interruption, except when the Company is aware that the key location is known at the time to be insured in any Pool, Association or Syndicate named above, other than as provided for under subparagraph (a).




Section C:


	
1.
	
Nevertheless the Reinsurer specifically agrees that liability accruing to the Company from its participation in Residual Market Mechanisms, including but not limited to the following, for all perils otherwise protected hereunder shall not be excluded herefrom:





	
 
	
a.
	
So-called “Beach and Windstorm Plans” and so-called “Coastal Pools”;





	
 
	
b.
	
All “FAIR Plan” and “Rural Risk Plan” business;




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c.
	
Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation;





	
 
	
d.
	
California Earthquake Authority (“CEA”) or any similar entity.




Notwithstanding the above, assessments related to the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund and Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Florida) shall be excluded hereunder.


	
2.
	
However, this reinsurance does not include any increase in such liability resulting from:





	
 
	
a.
	
The inability of any other participant in such Residual Market Mechanisms to meet its liability;





	
 
	
b.
	
Any claim against a Residual Market Mechanism or any participant therein, including the Company, whether by way of subrogation or otherwise, brought by or on behalf of any insolvency fund (as defined in the Exclusions Article);





	
 
	
c.
	
Any assessment or surcharge levied on the policyholder and therefore not a liability of the Company;





	
 
	
d.
	
The Company’s initial capital contribution to the CEA;





	
 
	
e.
	
Any assessments, other than interim and regular assessments, from a Residual Market Mechanism included in subparagraph 1(c) above;





	
 
	
f.
	
Any expenditure to purchase or retire bonds.





	
3. 
	
The Company may include in Ultimate Net Loss for any Loss Occurrence covered hereunder only the liability attributable to that Loss Occurrence. If the relevant entity does not specify what portion of an assessment is attributable to each Loss Occurrence, the Company may include in Ultimate Net Loss in respect of each Loss Occurrence a percentage of the Company’s assessments from the relevant entity related to the calendar year in which the Loss Occurrence commenced, regardless of when assessed, such percentage to be determined by dividing the relevant entity’s losses arising from the Loss Occurrence by its total losses for the calendar year.





	
4.
	
The Company will deduct from Ultimate Net Loss amounts received as recoupment of any assessment that has been included in the Ultimate Net Loss, provided the recoupment is directly allocable to the assessment (“itemized recoupment”). The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to recoup such assessment. Any amount received as an itemized recoupment of any assessment (whether under this Contract or any predecessor contract), and therefore deductible from Ultimate Net Loss, shall not be included in the subject premium of this Contract.




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However, if a state levies assessments but does not allow itemized recoupment from policyholders, instead allowing the Company to file an overall increased rate, any such premium increased thereby shall not be deemed to be a recoupment that is deductible from Ultimate Net Loss. Any recoupment received as part of a general premium rate increase, not specifically itemized, shall be included as part of the subject premium of this Contract or a successor contract, as applicable.

 


	
NOTES:
	
Wherever used herein the terms:





	
 
	
“Company” 
	
shall be understood to mean “Company”, “Reinsured”, “Reassured” or whatever other term is used in the attached reinsurance document to designate the reinsured company or companies.





	
 
	
“Contract”
	
shall be understood to mean “Agreement,” “Contract,” “Policy” or whatever other term is used to designate the attached reinsurance document.





	
 
	
“Reinsurer” 
	
shall be understood to mean “Reinsurer,” “Reinsurers,” “Underwriters” or whatever other term is used in the attached reinsurance document to designate the reinsurer or reinsurers.




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NUCLEAR INCIDENT EXCLUSION CLAUSE - PHYSICAL DAMAGE – 

REINSURANCE - U.S.A.


	
1.
	
This Reinsurance does not cover any loss or liability accruing to the Reassured, directly or indirectly, and whether as Insurer or Reinsurer, from any Pool of Insurers or Reinsurers formed for the purpose of covering Atomic or Nuclear Energy risks.





	
2. 
	
Without in any way restricting the operation of paragraph (1) of this clause, this Reinsurance does not cover any loss or liability accruing to the Reassured, directly or indirectly and whether as Insurer or Reinsurer, from any insurance against Physical Damage (including business interruption or consequential loss arising out of such Physical Damage) to:





	
 
	
I.
	
Nuclear reactor power plants including all auxiliary property on the site, or





	
 
	
II.
	
Any other nuclear reactor installation, including laboratories handling radioactive materials in connection with reactor installations, and “critical facilities” as such, or





	
 
	
III.
	
Installations for fabricating complete fuel elements or for processing substantial quantities of “special nuclear material”, and for reprocessing, salvaging, chemically separating, storing or disposing of “spent” nuclear fuel or waste materials, or





	
 
	
IV.
	
Installations other than those listed in paragraph (2) III above using substantial quantities of radioactive isotopes or other products of nuclear fission.





	
3. 
	
Without in any way restricting the operations of paragraphs (1) and (2) hereof, this Reinsurance does not cover any loss or liability by radioactive contamination accruing to the Reassured, directly or indirectly, and whether as Insurer or Reinsurer, from any insurance on property which is on the same site as a nuclear reactor power plant or other nuclear installation and which normally would be insured therewith except that this paragraph (3) shall not operate





	
 
	
(a)
	
where Reassured does not have knowledge of such nuclear reactor power plant or nuclear installation, or





	
 
	
(b)
	
where said insurance contains a provision excluding coverage for damage to property caused by or resulting from radioactive contamination, however caused. However on and after 1st January 1960 this sub-paragraph (b) shall only apply provided the said radioactive contamination exclusion provision has been approved by the Governmental Authority having jurisdiction thereof.





	
4.
	
Without in any way restricting the operations of paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) hereof, this Reinsurance does not cover any loss or liability by radioactive contamination accruing to the Reassured, directly or indirectly, and whether as Insurer or Reinsurer, when such radioactive contamination is a named hazard specifically insured against.




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5.
	
It is understood and agreed that this clause shall not extend to risks using radioactive isotopes in any form where the nuclear exposure is not considered by the Reassured to be the primary hazard.





	
6.
	
The term “special nuclear material” shall have the meaning given it in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 or by any law amendatory thereof.





	
7.
	
Reassured to be sole judge of what constitutes:





	
 
	
(a)
	
substantial quantities, and





	
 
	
(b)
	
the extent of installation, plant or site.




Note: Without in any way restricting the operation of paragraph (1) hereof, it is understood and agreed that


	
 
	
(a)
	
all policies issued by the Reassured on or before 31st December 1957 shall be free from the application of the other provisions of this Clause until expiry date or 31st December 1960 whichever first occurs whereupon all the provisions of this Clause shall apply.





	
 
	
(b)
	
with respect to any risk located in Canada policies issued by the Reassured on or before 31st December 1958 shall be free from the application of the other provisions of this Clause until expiry date or 31st December 1960 whichever first occurs whereupon all the provisions of this Clause shall apply.




12/12/57 

NMA 1119

 


	
NOTES:
	
Wherever used herein the terms:




 “Reassured” shall be understood to mean “Company”, “Reinsured”, “Reassured” or whatever other term is used in the attached reinsurance document to designate the reinsured company or companies.

“Agreement” shall be understood to mean “Agreement”, “Contract”, “Policy” or whatever other term is used to designate the attached reinsurance document.

“Reinsurers” shall be understood to mean “Reinsurers”, “Underwriters” or whatever other term is used in the attached reinsurance document to designate the reinsurer or reinsurers.

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TERRORISM EXCLUSION


	
A. 
	
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary within this Contract or any endorsement thereto, it is agreed that this Contract excludes loss, damage, cost, or expense directly or indirectly caused by, contributed to by, resulting from, or arising out of or in connection with any Act of Terrorism, as defined herein, regardless of any other cause or event contributing concurrently or in any other sequence to the loss.





	
B.
	
An “Act of Terrorism” includes any act, or preparation in respect of action, or threat of action designed to influence the government de jure or de facto of any nation or any political division thereof, or in pursuit of political, religious, ideological, or similar purposes to intimidate the public or a section of the public of any nation by any person or group(s) of persons whether acting alone or on behalf of or in connection with any organization(s) or government(s) de jure or de facto, and which:





	
 
	
a.
	
involves violence against one or more persons; or





	
 
	
b.
	
involves damage to property; or





	
 
	
c.
	
endangers life other than that of the person committing the action; or





	
 
	
d.
	
creates a risk to health or safety of the public or a section of the public; or





	
 
	
e.
	
is designed to interfere with or to disrupt an electronic system.





	
C.
	
This Contract also excludes loss, damage, cost, or expense directly or indirectly caused by, contributed to by, resulting from, or arising out of or in connection with any action in controlling, preventing, suppressing, retaliating against, or responding to any Act of Terrorism.





	
D.
	
Notwithstanding the above and subject otherwise to the terms, conditions, and limitations of this Contract, in respect only of personal lines, this Contract shall pay actual loss or damage (but not related cost or expense) caused by any Act of Terrorism, provided such act is not directly or indirectly caused by, contributed to by, resulting from, or arising out of or in connection with biological, chemical, radiological or nuclear pollution or contamination.




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COMMUNICABLE DISEASE EXCLUSION (PROPERTY REINSURANCE)


	
A.
	
This Contract excludes any loss, damage, liability, claim, cost or expense of whatsoever nature, directly or indirectly caused by, contributed to by, resulting from, arising out of, or in connection with a Communicable Disease or the fear or threat (whether actual or perceived) of a Communicable Disease regardless of any other cause or event contributing concurrently or in any other sequence thereto.





	
B.
	
As used herein, a Communicable Disease means any disease which can be transmitted by means of any substance or agent from any organism to another organism where:





	
 
	
1.
	
the substance or agent includes, but is not limited to, a virus, bacterium, parasite or other organism or any variation thereof, whether deemed living or not, and





	
 
	
2.
	
the method of transmission, whether direct or indirect, includes but is not limited to, airborne transmission, bodily fluid transmission, transmission from or to any surface or object, solid, liquid or gas or between organisms, and





	
 
	
3.
	
the disease, substance or agent can cause or threaten damage to human health or human welfare or can cause or threaten damage to, deterioration of, loss of value of, marketability of or loss of use of property.





	
C.
	
Notwithstanding the foregoing, losses directly or indirectly caused by, contributed to by, resulting from, arising out of, or in connection with any otherwise covered peril under subject Policies and not otherwise excluded under this Contract shall be covered.




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TRUST AGREEMENT REQUIREMENTS CLAUSE


	
A.
	
Except as provided in paragraph B of this Clause, if the Reinsurer satisfies its funding




obligations under the Unauthorized Reinsurance Article by providing a Trust Agreement, the Reinsurer shall ensure that the Trust Agreement:


	
 
	
1.
	
Requires the Reinsurer to establish a trust account for the benefit of the Company, and specifies what the Trust Agreement is to cover;





	
 
	
2.
	
Stipulates that assets deposited in the trust account shall be valued according to their current fair market value and shall consist only of cash (United States legal tender), and certificates of deposit (issued by a United States bank and payable in United States legal tender), or any combination of the two, provided that the investments are issued by an institution that is not the parent, subsidiary or affiliate of either the Reinsurer or the Company;





	
 
	
3.
	
Requires the Reinsurer, prior to depositing assets with the trustee, to execute assignments or endorsements in blank, or to transfer legal title to the trustee of all shares, obligations or any other assets requiring assignments, in order that the Company, or the trustee upon the direction of the Company, may whenever necessary negotiate these assets without consent or signature from the Reinsurer or any other entity;





	
 
	
4.
	
Requires that all settlements of account between the Company and the Reinsurer be made in cash or its equivalent; and





	
 
	
5.
	
Provides that assets in the trust account shall be withdrawn only as permitted in this Contract, without diminution because of the insolvency of the Company or the Reinsurer.




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B. 
	
If a ceding insurer is domiciled in California and the Reinsurer satisfies its funding obligations under the Unauthorized Reinsurance Article by providing a Trust Agreement, the Reinsurer shall ensure that the Trust Agreement:





	
 
	
1.
	
Provides that assets deposited in the trust account shall be valued according to their current fair market value and shall consist only of cash in United States dollars, certificates of deposit issued by a United States financial institution as defined in California Insurance Code Section 922.7(a) and payable in United States dollars, and investments permitted by the California Insurance Code, or any combination of the above.





	
 
	
2.
	
Provides that investments in or issued by an entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with either the grantor or the beneficiary of the trust shall not exceed 5% of total investments.





	
 
	
3.
	
Requires the Reinsurer, prior to depositing assets with the trustee, to execute assignments or endorsements in blank, or to transfer legal title to the trustee of all shares, obligations or any other assets requiring assignments, in order that the ceding insurer, or the trustee upon the direction of the ceding insurer, may, whenever necessary, negotiate these assets without consent or signature from the Reinsurer or any other entity.





	
 
	
4.
	
Provides that assets in the trust account shall be withdrawn only as permitted in this Contract, without diminution because of the insolvency of the ceding insurer or the Reinsurer.





	
C.
	
If there are multiple ceding insurers that collectively comprise the Company, “regulatory authorities” as referenced in subparagraph A(2) above, shall mean the individual ceding insurer’s domestic regulator.




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