RCW 48.09.010
Initial qualifications.
(1) The commissioner shall not issue a certificate of authority to a domestic mutual insurer unless it has fully qualified therefor under this code, and unless it has met the minimum requirements for the kind of insurance it proposes to transact as provided in this chapter.
(2) All applications for insurance submitted by such an insurer as fulfilling qualification requirements shall be bona fide applications from persons resident in this state covering lives, property, or risks resident or located in this state.
(3) All qualifying premiums collected and initial surplus funds of such an insurer shall be in cash. Any deposit made by such an insurer in lieu of applications, premiums, and initial surplus funds, shall be in cash or in securities eligible for the investment of the capital of a domestic stock insurer transacting the same kind of insurance.
[1947 c 79 s .09.01; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.01.]
RCW 48.09.090
Additional kinds of insurance.
A domestic mutual insurer may be authorized to transact kinds of insurance in addition to that for which it was originally authorized, if it has otherwise complied with the provisions of this code therefor, and while it possesses and maintains surplus funds in aggregate amount not less than the minimum amount of capital and surplus required under this code of a domestic stock insurer authorized to transact like kinds of insurance pursuant to RCW 48.05.340
.
[
1980 c 135 s 2
;
1957 c 193 s 5
; 1947 c 79 s .09.09; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.09.]
RCW 48.09.100
Minimum surplus.
A domestic mutual insurer on the cash premium plan shall at all times have and maintain surplus funds, representing the excess of its assets over its liabilities, in amount not less than the aggregate of
(1) the amount of any surplus funds deposited by it with the commissioner to qualify for its original certificate of authority, and
(2) the amount of any additional surplus required of it pursuant to RCW 48.09.090
for authority to transact additional kinds of insurance.
[
1963 c 195 s 3
; 1947 c 79 s .09.10; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.10.]
RCW 48.09.110
Membership.
(1) Each holder of one or more insurance contracts issued by a domestic mutual insurer, other than a contract of reinsurance, is a member of the insurer, with the rights and obligations of such membership, and each insurance contract so issued shall effectively so stipulate.
(2) Any person, government or governmental agency, state or political subdivision thereof, public or private corporation, board, association, estate, trustee or fiduciary, may be a member of a mutual insurer.
[1947 c 79 s .09.11; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.11.]
RCW 48.09.120
Rights of members.
(1) A domestic mutual insurer is owned by and shall be operated in the interest of its members.
(2) Each member is entitled to one vote in the election of directors and on matters coming before corporate meetings of members, subject to such reasonable minimum requirements as to duration of membership and amount of insurance held as may be made in the insurer's bylaws. The person named as the policyholder in any group insurance policy issued by such insurer shall be deemed the member, and shall have but one such vote regardless of the number of individuals insured by such policy.
(3) With respect to the management, records, and affairs of the insurer, a member shall have the same character of rights and relationship as a stockholder has toward a domestic stock insurer.
[1947 c 79 s .09.12; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.12.]
RCW 48.09.130
Bylaws.
A domestic mutual insurer shall adopt bylaws for the conduct of its affairs. Such bylaws, or any modification thereof, shall forthwith be filed with the commissioner. The commissioner shall disapprove any such bylaws, or as so modified, if he or she finds after a hearing thereon, that it is not in compliance with the laws of this state, and he or she shall forthwith communicate such disapproval to the insurer. No such bylaw, or modification, so disapproved shall be effective during the existence of such disapproval.
[
2009 c 549 s 7036
; 1947 c 79 s .09.13; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.13.]
RCW 48.09.140
Notice of annual meeting.
(1) Notice of the time and place of the annual meeting of members of a domestic mutual insurer shall be given by imprinting such notice plainly on the policies issued by the insurer.
(2) Any change of the date or place of the annual meeting shall be made only by an annual meeting of members. Notice of such change may be given:
(a) By imprinting such new date or place on all policies which will be in effect as of the date of such changed meeting; or
(b) Unless the commissioner otherwise orders, notice of the new date or place need be given only through policies issued after the date of the annual meeting at which such change was made and in premium notices and renewal certificates issued during the twenty-four months immediately following such meeting.
[1947 c 79 s .09.14; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.14.]
RCW 48.09.150
Voting
—
Proxies.
(1) A member of a domestic mutual insurer may vote in person or by proxy given another member on any matter coming before a corporate meeting of members.
(2) An officer of the insurer shall not hold or vote the proxy of any member.
(3) No such proxy shall be valid beyond the earlier of the following dates:
(a) The date of expiration set forth in the proxy; or
(b) the date of termination of membership; or
(c) five years from the date of execution of the proxy.
(4) No member's vote upon any proposal to divest the insurer of its business and assets, or the major part thereof, shall be registered or taken except in person or by a proxy newly executed and specific as to the matter to be voted upon.
[1947 c 79 s .09.15; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.15.]
RCW 48.09.160
Directors
—
Disqualification.
No individual shall be a director of a domestic mutual insurer by reason of his or her holding public office. Adjudication as a bankrupt or taking the benefit of any insolvency law or making a general assignment for the benefit of creditors disqualifies an individual from being or acting as a director.
[
2009 c 549 s 7037
; 1947 c 79 s .09.16; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.16.]
RCW 48.09.180
Limitation of expenses as to property and casualty insurance.
(1) For any calendar year after its first two full calendar years of operation, no domestic mutual insurer on the cash premium plan, other than one issuing nonassessable policies, shall incur any costs or expense in the writing or administration of property, disability, and casualty insurances (other than boiler and machinery or elevator) transacted by it which, exclusive of losses paid, loss adjustment expenses, investment expenses, dividends, and taxes exceeds the sum of
(a) forty percent of the net premium income during that year after deducting therefrom net earned reinsurance premiums for such year, plus
(b) all of the reinsurance commissions received on reinsurance ceded by it.
(2) The bylaws of every domestic mutual property insurer on the assessment premium plan shall impose a reasonable limitation upon its expenses.
[
1949 c 190 s 8
; 1947 c 79 s .09.18; Rem. Supp. 1949 s 45.09.18.]
RCW 48.09.190
Procedure upon violation of limitation.
The officers and directors of an insurer violating RCW 48.09.180
shall be jointly and severally liable to the insurer for any excess of expenses incurred. If the insurer fails to exercise reasonable diligence or refuses to enforce such liability, the commissioner may prosecute action thereon for the benefit of the insurer. Such failure or refusal constitutes grounds for revocation of the insurer's certificate of authority.
[1947 c 79 s .09.19; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.19.]
RCW 48.09.210
Limitation of action on officer's salary.
No action to recover, or on account of, any salary or other compensation due or claimed to be due any officer or director of a domestic mutual insurer, or on any note or agreement relative thereto, shall be brought against such insurer after twelve months after the date on which such salary or compensation, or any installment thereof, first accrued.
[1947 c 79 s .09.21; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.21.]
RCW 48.09.220
Contingent liability of members.
(1) Each member of a domestic mutual insurer, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, shall have a contingent liability, pro rata and not one for another, for the discharge of its obligations. The contingent liability shall be in such maximum amount as is stated in the insurer's articles of incorporation, but shall be not less than one, nor more than five, additional premiums for the member's policy at the annual premium rate and for a term of one year.
(2) Every policy issued by the insurer shall contain a statement of the contingent liability.
(3) Termination of the policy of any such member shall not relieve the member of contingent liability for his or her proportion of the obligations of the insurer which accrued while the policy was in force.
[
2009 c 549 s 7038
;
1949 c 190 s 9
; 1947 c 79 s .09.22; Rem. Supp. 1949 s 45.09.22.]
RCW 48.09.230
Assessment of members.
(1) If at any time the assets of a domestic mutual insurer doing business on the cash premium plan are less than its liabilities and the minimum surplus, if any, required of it by this code as prerequisite for continuance of its certificate of authority, and the deficiency is not cured from other sources, its directors may, if approved by the commissioner, make an assessment only on its members who at any time within the twelve months immediately preceding the date such assessment was authorized by its directors held policies providing for contingent liability.
(2) Such an assessment shall be for such an amount of money as is required, in the opinion of the commissioner, to render the insurer fully solvent, but not to result in surplus in excess of five percent of the insurer's liabilities as of the date of the assessment.
(3) A member's proportionate part of any such assessment shall be computed by applying to the premium earned, during the period since the deficiency first appeared, on his or her contingently liable policy or policies the ratio of the total assessment to the total premium earned during such period on all contingently liable policies which are subject to the assessment.
(4) No member shall have an offset against any assessment for which he or she is liable on account of any claim for unearned premium or losses payable.
[
2009 c 549 s 7039
;
1949 c 190 s 10
; 1947 c 79 s .09.23; Rem. Supp. 1949 s 45.09.23.]
RCW 48.09.235
Issuing a capital call
—
Notice
—
Insurer's duties
—
Rules.
(1) In addition to authority granted by RCW 48.09.220
and
48.09.230, a domestic mutual insurer meeting all the requirements of this section may increase its surplus by issuing a capital call. A capital call requires policyholders or applicants for insurance to pay a sum, in addition to premium, to be eligible to renew a policy or be issued a new policy. A policyholder that does not pay the amount of a call cannot be canceled or denied the benefits of an existing policy.
(2) Prior to issuing a capital call, the insurer must have:
(a) Adopted articles of incorporation or other organizational documents authorizing capital calls; and
(b) For any capital call issued on or after January 1, 2006, included information concerning the insurer's authority to issue a capital call in the policy of every policyholder. This information must be provided at least one full policy renewal cycle prior to a capital call.
(3) The insurer must notify the commissioner of its intent to issue a capital call at least ninety days prior to the capital call. The notice to the commissioner must include:
(a) A statement of each of the following:
(i) The specific purpose or purposes of the capital call;
(ii) The total amount intended to be raised by issuance of the capital call;
(iii) The amount intended to be raised for each stated purpose;
(iv) The grounds relied upon by the insurer in deciding that the capital call is the best option available to the insurer for raising capital; and
(v) Each of the alternative methods of raising capital the insurer considered and the reasons the insurer rejected each alternative in favor of the capital call;
(b) For the ten years immediately preceding the filing of the notice, a year by year accounting of:
(i) All rate filings and actions;
(ii) The total of all underwriting losses; and
(iii) The total amount of dividends paid to policyholders; and
(c) A complete application for a solicitation permit as required in RCW 48.06.030
.
(4) Before an insurer may issue a capital call, the insurer must:
(a) Notify the commissioner and provide information as required in subsection (3) of this section;
(b) Provide any and all additional information that the commissioner may determine is useful or necessary in evaluating the merits of the proposed capital call;
(c) Receive approval of the policy or insuring instrument from the commissioner; and
(d) Receive approval of the commissioner for the capital call and the solicitation permit.
The commissioner may disapprove a capital call if he or she does not believe it is in the best interest of the insurer, the policyholders, or the citizens of the state of Washington. In making this determination, the commissioner may consider the financial health of the insurer, the impact on the marketplace, the possible use of other means to raise capital, the frequency of previous capital calls by the insurer, the effect of raising premiums instead of a capital call, the impact on state revenue, or any other factor the commissioner deems proper.
(5) The funds raised by an approved capital call are not premiums for the purposes of RCW 48.14.020
.
(6) The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this section.
[
2004 c 89 s 2
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2004 c 89 s 2:
"Section 2 of this act takes effect January 1, 2006." [
2004 c 89 s 4
.]
Effective date
—
2004 c 89:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [March 22, 2004]." [
2004 c 89 s 5
.]
RCW 48.09.240
Contingent liability of members of assessment insurer.
The contingent liability of members of a domestic mutual insurer doing business on the assessment premium plan shall be called upon and enforced by its directors as provided in its bylaws.
[1947 c 79 s .09.24; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.24.]
RCW 48.09.250
Contingent liability as asset.
Any contingent liability of members of a domestic mutual insurer to assessment does not constitute an asset of the insurer in any determination of its financial condition.
[
1949 c 190 s 11
; 1947 c 79 s .09.25; Rem. Supp. 1949 s 45.09.25.]
RCW 48.09.260
Liability as lien on policy reserves.
As to life insurance, any portion of an assessment of contingent liability upon a policyholder which remains unpaid following notice of such assessment, demand for payment, and lapse of a reasonable waiting period as specified in such notice, may, if approved by the commissioner, be secured by placing a lien on the reserves held by the insurer to the credit of such policyholder.
[
1949 c 190 s 12
; 1947 c 79 s .09.26; Rem. Supp. 1949 s 45.09.26.]
RCW 48.09.270
Nonassessable policies.
(1) A domestic mutual insurer on the cash premium plan, after it has established a surplus not less in amount than the minimum capital funds required of a domestic stock insurer to transact like kinds of insurance, and for so long as it maintains such surplus, may extinguish the contingent liability of its members to assessment and omit provisions imposing contingent liability in all policies currently issued.
(2) Any deposit made with the commissioner as a prerequisite to the insurer's certificate of authority may be included as part of the surplus required in this section.
(3) When the surplus has been so established and the commissioner has so ascertained, he or she shall issue to the insurer, at its request, his or her certificate authorizing the extinguishment of the contingent liability of its members and the issuance of policies free therefrom.
(4) While it maintains surplus funds in amount not less than the minimum capital required of a domestic stock insurer authorized to transact like kinds of insurance, and subject to the requirements of *RCW 48.05.360
as to special surplus, a foreign or alien mutual insurer on the cash premium plan may, if consistent with its charter and the laws of its domicile, issue nonassessable policies covering subjects located, resident, or to be performed in this state.
[
2009 c 549 s 7040
;
1963 c 195 s 4
; 1947 c 79 s .09.27; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.27.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note:
RCW 48.05.360
was repealed by
2005 c 223 s 35
.
RCW 48.09.280
Qualification on issuance of nonassessable policies.
The commissioner shall not authorize a domestic mutual insurer so to extinguish the contingent liability of any of its members or in any of its policies to be issued, unless it qualifies to and does extinguish such liability of all its members and in all such policies for all kinds of insurance transacted by it. Except, that if required by the laws of another state in which such an insurer is transacting insurance as an authorized insurer, the insurer may issue policies providing for the contingent liability of such of its members as may acquire such policies in such state, and need not extinguish the contingent liability applicable to policies theretofore in force in such state.
[1947 c 79 s .09.28; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.28.]
RCW 48.09.290
Revocation of right to issue nonassessable policies.
(1) The commissioner shall revoke the authority of a domestic mutual insurer so to extinguish the contingent liability of its members if
(a) at any time the insurer's assets are less than the sum of its liabilities and the surplus required for such authority, or
(b) the insurer, by resolution of its directors approved by its members, requests that the authority be revoked.
(2) Upon revocation of such authority for any cause, the insurer shall not thereafter issue any policies without contingent liability, nor renew any policies then in force without written endorsement thereon providing for contingent liability.
[1947 c 79 s .09.29; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.29.]
RCW 48.09.300
Dividends.
(1) The directors of a domestic mutual insurer on the cash premium plan may from time to time apportion and pay to its members as entitled thereto, dividends only out of that part of its surplus funds which are in excess of its required minimum surplus and which represent net realized savings and net realized earnings from its business.
(2) Any classification of its participating policies and of risks assumed thereunder which the insurer may make shall be reasonable. No dividend shall be paid which is inequitable, or which unfairly discriminates as between such classifications or as between policies within the same classification.
(3) No dividend, otherwise earned, shall be made contingent upon the payment of renewal premium on any policy.
[1947 c 79 s .09.30; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.30.]
RCW 48.09.310
Nonparticipating policies.
(1) If its articles of incorporation so provide, a domestic mutual insurer on the cash premium plan may, while it is authorized to issue policies without contingent liability to assessment, issue policies not entitled to participate in the insurer's savings and earnings.
(2) Such insurer shall not issue in this state both participating and nonparticipating policies for the same class of risks; except, that both participating and nonparticipating life insurance policies may be issued if the right or absence of the right to participate is reasonably related to the premium charged.
[1947 c 79 s .09.31; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.31.]
RCW 48.09.320
Borrowed capital.
(1) A domestic mutual insurer may, with the commissioner's advance approval and without the pledge of any of its assets, borrow money to defray the expenses of its organization or for any purpose required by its business, upon an agreement that such money and such fair and reasonable interest thereon as may be agreed upon, shall be repaid only out of the insurer's earned surplus in excess of its required minimum surplus.
(2) An insurer borrowing funds under this section must comply with the national association of insurance commissioner's - accounting practices and procedures manual which sets forth requirements for borrowed money to be treated as surplus notes for financial accounting purposes.
(3) The commissioner's approval of such borrowed funds, if granted, shall specify the amount to be borrowed, the purpose for which the money is to be used, the terms and form of the loan agreement, the date by which the loan must be completed, fair and reasonable commissions or promotional expenses to be incurred or to be paid, and such other related matters as the commissioner shall deem proper. If the money is to be borrowed upon multiple agreements, the agreements shall be serially numbered. No loan agreement or series thereof shall have or be given any preferential rights over any other such loan agreement or series.
[
2003 c 249 s 1
; 1947 c 79 s .09.32; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.32.]
RCW 48.09.330
Repayment of borrowed capital.
(1) The insurer may repay any loan received pursuant to RCW 48.09.320, or any part thereof as approved by the commissioner, only out of its funds which represent such loan or realized net earned surplus. No repayment shall be made which reduces the insurer's surplus below the minimum surplus required for the kinds of insurance transacted.
(2) The insurer shall repay any such loan or the largest possible part thereof when the purposes for which such funds were borrowed have been fulfilled and when the insurer's surplus is adequate to so repay without unreasonable impairment of the insurer's operations.
(3) No repayment of such loan shall be made unless approved by the commissioner. The insurer shall notify the commissioner in writing not less than sixty days in advance of its intention to repay such loan or any part thereof, and the commissioner shall forthwith ascertain whether the insurer's financial condition is such that the repayment can properly be made.
(4) Upon dissolution and liquidation of the insurer, after the retirement of all its other outstanding obligations the holders of any such loan agreements then remaining unpaid shall be entitled to payment before any distribution of surplus is made to the insurer's members.
[
1949 c 190 s 13
; 1947 c 79 s .09.33; Rem. Supp. 1949 s 45.09.33.]
RCW 48.09.340
Impairment of surplus.
(1) If the assets of a domestic mutual insurer on the cash premium plan fall below the amount of its liabilities, plus the amount of any surplus required by this code for the kinds of insurance authorized to be transacted, the commissioner shall at once ascertain the amount of the deficiency and serve notice upon the insurer to cure the deficiency within ninety days after such service of notice.
(2) If the deficiency is not made good in cash or in assets eligible under this code for the investment of the insurer's funds, and proof thereof filed with the commissioner within such ninety-day period, the insurer shall be deemed insolvent and shall be proceeded against as authorized by this code.
(3) If the deficiency is not made good the insurer shall not issue or deliver any policy after the expiration of such ninety-day period. Any officer or director who violates or knowingly permits the violating of this provision shall be subject to a fine of from fifty dollars to one thousand dollars for each violation.
[
1949 c 190 s 14
;
1947 c 79 s 09
.34; Rem. Supp. 1949 s 45.09.34.]
RCW 48.09.350
Reorganization of mutual as stock insurer
—
Reinsurance
—
Approval.
(1) Upon satisfaction of the requirements applicable to the formation of a domestic stock insurer, a domestic mutual insurer may be reorganized as a stock corporation, pursuant to a plan of reorganization as approved by the commissioner.
(2) A domestic mutual insurer may be wholly reinsured in and its assets transferred to and its liabilities assumed by another mutual or stock insurer under such terms and conditions as are approved by the commissioner in advance of such reinsurance.
(3) The commissioner shall not approve any such reorganization plan or reinsurance agreement which does not determine the amount of and make adequate provision for paying to members of such mutual insurer, reasonable compensation for their equities as owners of such insurer, such compensation to be apportioned to members as identified and in the manner prescribed in RCW 48.09.360
. The procedure for approval by the commissioner of any such reorganization plan or reinsurance agreement shall be the same as the procedure for approval by the commissioner of a plan of merger or consolidation under RCW 48.31.010
.
Approval at a corporate meeting of members by two-thirds of the then members of a domestic mutual insurer who vote on the plan or agreement pursuant to such notice and procedure as was approved by the commissioner shall constitute approval of any such reorganization plan or reinsurance agreement by the insurer's members.
(4) The following applies if a mutual holding company conversion occurs:
(a) On the effective date of a plan, all of the following shall occur:
(i) The converting mutual insurer becomes a converted stock insurer. The amended or restated articles of incorporation and bylaws of the converting mutual insurer shall be filed with the commissioner as part of the plan and shall become effective on the effective date of the conversion. The commissioner shall amend the certificate of authority of the converting mutual insurer on the effective date of the conversion;
(ii) All membership interests and rights in surplus of the converting mutual insurer are extinguished and the members of the converting mutual insurer become members of the mutual holding company in accordance with this chapter and the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the mutual holding company;
(iii) Any owner of one or more policies of insurance, other than a policy of reinsurance, issued by the converted stock insurer after the effective date of the conversion and, if permitted under the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the mutual holding company, any holder of one or more policies of insurance, other than a policy of reinsurance, issued by any other insurer that is a direct or indirect subsidiary or affiliate of the mutual holding company after the effective date of the reorganization becomes a member of the mutual holding company;
(iv) The mutual holding company or, if created, an intermediate stock holding company acquires and shall retain all shares of the voting stock of the converted stock insurer;
(v) The mutual holding company acquires and shall retain all shares of the voting stock of any intermediate stock holding company; and
(vi) A converted stock insurer continues the corporate existence of the converting mutual insurer. Except as provided in the plan, the conversion does not annul, modify, or change any existing license or other authority or any of the existing civil actions, rights, contracts, or liabilities of the converting mutual insurer. The converted stock insurer retains all property, debts, and choses in action and every other interest belonging to the converting mutual insurer before the conversion without further action needed. On and after the effective date of the conversion, the converted stock insurer may exercise all rights and powers conferred and shall perform all duties imposed by law on insurers writing the classes of insurance written by the converted stock insurer, shall retain the rights and contracts of the converting mutual insurer existing immediately before the conversion, and shall be subject to all obligations and liabilities of the converting mutual insurer existing immediately before the conversion, subject to the terms of the plan.
(b) Any intermediate stock holding company created at the time of reorganization to hold the stock of the converting mutual insurer shall be incorporated under chapter
23B.02
RCW and may engage in any business or activity permitted by chapter
23B.02
RCW.
(c) The converted stock insurer and any intermediate stock holding company may issue to third parties debt securities, stock other than voting stock, and voting stock if all of the following apply:
(i) No shares of stock representing a majority of the voting power of all issued and outstanding voting stock of either the converted stock insurer or the intermediate stock holding company, if any, are issued to third parties; and
(ii) A majority of the voting stock of the converted stock insurer is at all times owned by the mutual holding company or by the intermediate stock holding company, a majority of whose voting stock is held by the mutual holding company, and such majority interest in the converted stock insurer and any intermediate stock holding company is not conveyed, transferred, assigned, pledged, subjected to a security interest or lien, placed in a voting trust, encumbered, or otherwise hypothecated or alienated by the mutual holding company or by the intermediate stock holding company. Any conveyance, transfer, assignment, pledge, security interest, lien, placement in a voting trust, encumbrance, or hypothecation or alienation of, in, or on a majority of the voting shares of the converted stock insurer or the intermediate stock holding company in violation of this subsection (4)(c)(ii) is void in inverse chronological order as to the shares necessary to constitute a majority of such voting stock.
(d) Unless otherwise specified in the plan, the directors and officers of the converting mutual insurer shall serve as directors and officers of the mutual holding company, any intermediate stock holding company, and the converted stock insurer until new directors and officers are elected.
[
2023 c 20 s 8
;
1984 c 23 s 1
;
1983 1st ex.s. c 32 s 1
; 1947 c 79 s .09.35; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.35.]
RCW 48.09.360
Distribution of assets and ownership equities upon liquidation.
(1) Upon the liquidation of a domestic mutual insurer, its assets remaining after discharge of its indebtedness and policy obligations shall be distributed to its members who were such within the thirty-six months prior to the last termination of its certificate of authority.
(2) Upon the reorganization of a domestic mutual insurer as a domestic stock insurer under RCW 48.09.350
(1) or upon reinsurance of the whole of the liabilities and transfer of all the assets of a domestic mutual insurer under RCW 48.09.350
(2), the ownership equities of members of the domestic mutual insurer shall be distributed to its members who were such on an eligibility date stated in the reorganization plan or reinsurance agreement, or who were such within the thirty-six months prior to such eligibility date. Such eligibility date shall be either the date on which the reorganization plan or reinsurance agreement is adopted by resolution of the board of directors of the domestic mutual insurer, or the date on which the reorganization plan or reinsurance agreement is approved by a vote of the members, or the date which ends a calendar quarter during which either of such actions is taken.
(3) Upon the liquidation of a domestic mutual insurer, the distributive share of each such member shall be in the proportion that the aggregate premiums earned by the insurer on the policies of the member during the thirty-six months before the last termination of the insurer's certificate of authority, bear to the aggregate of all premiums so earned on the policies of all such members during the same thirty-six months.
(4) Upon the reorganization of a domestic mutual insurer as a domestic stock insurer under RCW 48.09.350
(1) or upon reinsurance of the whole of the liabilities and transfer of all the assets of a domestic mutual insurer under RCW 48.09.350
(2), the distributive share of each member entitled thereto shall be in the proportion that the aggregate premiums earned by the insurer on the policies in force of that member during the thirty-six months before the eligibility date established under RCW 48.09.360
(2) bear to the aggregate of all premiums so earned during the same thirty-six months on all the policies in force of all such members who are entitled to a distributive share.
(5) If a life insurer, the insurer shall make a reasonable classification of its life insurance policies so held by such members entitled to a distributive share and a formula based upon such classification for determining the equitable distributive share of each such member. Such classification and formula shall be subject to the commissioner's approval.
[
1984 c 23 s 2
; 1947 c 79 s .09.36; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 45.09.36.]
RCW 48.09.400
Definitions.
The definitions in this section apply throughout this subchapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Board" means the board of directors of a converting mutual insurer.
(2) "Conversion" means a process by which a domestic mutual insurer is converted to a domestic stock insurer as part of a reorganization.
(3) "Converted stock insurer" means a domestic stock insurer into which a domestic mutual insurer is converted as part of a reorganization.
(4) "Converting mutual insurer" means a domestic mutual insurer that is converting to a domestic stock insurer as part of a reorganization.
(5) "Effective date" means, with respect to a plan, the date on which the plan or a part of the plan becomes effective as set forth in an order of the commissioner.
(6) "Eligible member" means a member of the converting mutual insurer whose insurance policy is in force as of the date on which the board adopts the plan or on some other date that the plan specifies as the record date and that the commissioner approves.
(7) "Intermediate stock holding company" means a corporation that satisfies all of the following:
(a) The corporation was incorporated under chapter
23B.02
RCW;
(b) A mutual holding company holds directly or indirectly at least a majority of the corporation's voting stock; and
(c) The corporation holds directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting stock of a converted stock insurer.
(8) "Member" means:
(a) With respect to a domestic mutual insurer, a member as described in RCW 48.09.110
; or
(b) With respect to a mutual holding company, any holder of one or more policies of insurance, other than a policy of reinsurance, issued by the converted stock insurer resulting from a reorganization involving the organization of a mutual holding company and, if permitted under the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the mutual holding company, may include any holder of one or more policies of insurance, other than a policy of reinsurance, issued by any other insurer that is a direct or indirect subsidiary or affiliate of the mutual holding company.
(9) "Membership interest" means:
(a) With respect to a converting mutual insurer, interest as set forth in RCW 48.09.120
; or
(b) With respect to a mutual holding company on and after the effective date of the plan, any right that a member of the mutual holding company may hold by virtue of membership in the mutual holding company arising under the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the mutual holding company, including the right to vote for the board.
(10) "Mutual holding company" means a corporation that is formed and existing under the laws of this state and pursuant to the reorganization of a mutual insurance company.
(11) "Plan" means a plan of reorganization.
(12) "Reorganization" means a process by which a domestic mutual insurer is converted to a domestic stock insurer and a mutual holding company is organized.
(13)(a) "Voting stock" means stock of any class or any percentage ownership interest having voting power for the election of directors, trustees, or management.
(b) "Voting stock" includes stock having voting power only by reason of the happening of a contingency.
[
2023 c 20 s 1
.]
RCW 48.09.410
Conversion
—
Plan
—
Approval
—
Withdrawal
—
Confidentiality.
(1) A domestic mutual insurer may engage in a conversion as part of a reorganization as a mutual holding company only if the board passes a resolution that the reorganization is fair and equitable to the policyholders and adopts a plan that meets the requirements of this chapter.
(2) After the board has adopted a plan and before the board seeks approval of the plan by the eligible members of the converting mutual insurer, the converting mutual insurer shall file the following documents with the commissioner:
(a) The plan;
(b) The form of notice of the meeting at which the eligible members vote on the plan;
(c) The form of any proxies to be solicited from the eligible members. Proxies must offer the eligible members the option of voting in favor of or voting against the plan or abstaining from voting;
(d) Information required by the converting mutual insurer's bylaws; and
(e) Other information or documentation required by the commissioner.
(3) The commissioner shall approve or disapprove a plan and other documents submitted under this chapter. The commissioner must approve or disapprove the plan within 60 days after the commissioner receives a completed filing of the plan and all information requested by the commissioner or within 60 days after the completion of a hearing on the plan, whichever date is later.
(4) At any time before the commissioner approves a plan, the board may amend or withdraw the plan.
(5) After the commissioner approves a plan, the eligible members of the converting mutual insurer must approve the plan. Approval by the eligible members is subject to the following requirements:
(a) All eligible members must be given notice of the plan and of their opportunity to vote on the plan. A copy of the plan or a summary of the plan must accompany the notice. The notice shall be mailed to the last known address of each eligible member, as shown on the records of the converting mutual insurer, within 45 days after the commissioner approves the plan. The meeting of the eligible members at which a vote on the plan will occur shall be set for a date that is not earlier than the 30th day after the date on which the mutual insurer mailed the notice of the meeting. If the converting mutual insurer complies substantially and in good faith with the notice requirements of this subsection (5)(a), the converting mutual insurer's failure to give any member or members any required notice does not impair the validity of any action taken under this section.
(b) The vote required for approval must be conducted in accordance with the converting mutual insurer's bylaws, except that:
(i) Only eligible members may vote on the plan;
(ii) An eligible member may vote in person or by proxy at the meeting at which the plan is voted on; and
(iii) The plan is approved by the eligible members on the affirmative vote of two-thirds or more of the eligible members voting on the plan, unless the bylaws require a greater number of affirmative votes. The converting mutual insurer shall file with the commissioner a certification that the plan has been duly adopted by a vote of at least two-thirds of the eligible members.
(6) The plan shall be carried out in accordance with its terms on the effective date of the reorganization.
(7) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all information and documents obtained by or disclosed to the commissioner or any other person in the course of preparing, filing, and processing an application to reorganize, other than information and documents distributed to policyholders or filed and submitted as evidence in connection with a public hearing held pursuant to chapter
48.04
RCW and the administrative procedure act, chapter
34.05
RCW, are confidential and not subject to subpoena and must not be made public except to insurance departments of other states, with the prior written consent of the insurer to which such information and documents pertain.
[
2023 c 20 s 2
.]
RCW 48.09.420
Conversion
—
Plan requirements.
A plan of a domestic mutual insurer shall include the following:
(1) A statement of the reasons for the proposed action;
(2) A description of how the plan will be carried out, including any transaction included within the plan and a description of any mutual holding company, intermediate stock holding company, or other corporation organized pursuant to the plan;
(3) A description of all significant terms of the reorganization;
(4) New or revised intercompany agreements;
(5) A description of the overall effect of the plan on policies issued by the converting mutual insurer. The description must show that policyholder interests collectively are properly preserved and protected and that the plan is fair and equitable to the policyholders;
(6) The record date for determining whether a member of the converting mutual insurer is an eligible member;
(7) The proposed effective date of the reorganization or the manner in which the proposed effective date of the reorganization is established;
(8) The proposed amendments to or restatement of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the converting mutual insurer and the proposed articles of incorporation and bylaws of any mutual holding company, intermediate stock holding company, or other corporation organized pursuant to the plan;
(9) A description of any plans for the initial sale of voting stock to third parties by the converted stock insurer or any intermediate stock holding company, or a statement that the converted stock insurer or intermediate stock holding company has no current plans for the sale of voting stock;
(10) The intention, if any, that a director or officer of the converting mutual insurer, mutual holding company, intermediate stock holding company, or other corporation organized pursuant to the plan, within the three-year period following the effective date of the conversion or reorganization, may purchase or acquire shares of capital stock or other securities of an issuer to be issued pursuant to the plan; and
(11) A provision that all policies in force on the effective date of the conversion or reorganization will remain in force under the terms of those policies and that on the effective date of the reorganization, any voting rights of the members provided for under the policies or under this title are extinguished.
[
2023 c 20 s 3
.]
RCW 48.09.430
Plan review
—
Experts
—
Hearing.
(1) The commissioner shall review a plan that is submitted to the commissioner. On review, the commissioner shall approve the plan if the commissioner finds all of the following:
(a) The applicable provisions of this chapter, and other applicable provisions of law, have been fully met;
(b) The plan protects the rights of policyholders;
(c) The plan is fair and equitable to the members and the plan does not prejudice the interests of the members;
(d) The converted stock insurer has capital or surplus, or any combination thereof, that is required of a domestic stock insurer on initial authorization to transact like kinds of insurance, and otherwise is able to satisfy the requirements of this state for transacting its insurance business;
(e) The plan does not substantially reduce the security of the policyholders and the service to be rendered to the policyholders;
(f) The financial condition of the mutual holding company or any subsidiary of the mutual holding company does not jeopardize the financial stability of the converted stock insurer;
(g) The financial condition of the converting mutual insurer is not jeopardized by the conversion or reorganization, and the conversion or reorganization does not jeopardize the financial stability of the mutual holding company or any subsidiary of the mutual holding company; and
(h) The competence, experience, and integrity of those persons who control the operation of the converted stock insurer are not contrary to the interests of policyholders of the converted stock insurer and of the public in allowing the plan to proceed.
(2) To the extent the plan contains a provision that allows for the acquisition or merger of other insurance companies, the commissioner shall apply the standards for scrutinizing mergers and acquisitions provided in RCW 48.31B.015
. The commissioner may not approve a plan that fails to meet these standards.
(3) An approval of a plan by the commissioner expires if the plan is not carried out within one year after the date of the approval, unless the commissioner extends the time period for good cause on written application for such extension.
(4) The commissioner may retain, at the expense of the converting mutual insurer, qualified experts not otherwise a part of the staff of the department to assist in reviewing the plan and supplemental documents.
(5) The commissioner may hold a hearing as prescribed in chapter
48.04
RCW and the administrative procedure act, chapter
34.05
RCW, for the purposes of receiving comments on whether a plan should be approved and on any other matter relating to the reorganization. The hearing, if held, shall be held within 60 days after the commissioner receives a completed filing of the plan and all information required by the commissioner.
[
2023 c 20 s 4
.]
RCW 48.09.440
Mutual holding companies
—
As insurer
—
Interpretation
—
Dissolution
—
Membership
—
Articles of incorporation.
(1) A mutual holding company is not an insurer for the purposes of this title, except that RCW 48.07.030, 48.09.130, 48.09.160, 48.09.120, 48.09.300, 48.09.350, and
48.09.360
apply to a mutual holding company as if the mutual holding company were a domestic mutual insurer.
(2) Except where inconsistent with the provisions of this section, RCW 48.07.030, 48.09.110
(2) through
48.09.160, 48.09.360, and
48.36A.390
shall be interpreted to apply to a mutual holding company in the same manner as if the mutual holding company were a domestic mutual insurer, considering the fact that a mutual holding company does not issue policies and does not have a certificate of authority. For purposes of this subsection, any references therein to a policy issued by, or a certificate of authority of, a domestic mutual insurer shall be interpreted to be references to a policy issued by, or a certificate of authority of, a stock insurer subsidiary of a mutual holding company whose policyholders are members of the mutual holding company.
(3) A mutual holding company may not dissolve or liquidate without approval by the commissioner or unless required by judicial order. The commissioner retains jurisdiction over a mutual holding company, any intermediate stock holding company, and any subsidiary of an intermediate stock holding company as provided in this section and RCW 48.31B.035
.
(4) The members of a mutual holding company have the rights and obligations set forth in this section and in the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the mutual holding company. A member of a mutual holding company may not transfer membership in the mutual holding company or any right arising from such membership. Such limitation on the transfer of membership or rights arising from membership does not restrict the assignment of a policy that is otherwise permissible. A member of a mutual holding company is not personally liable for the acts, debts, liabilities, or obligations of the mutual holding company merely by reason of being a member. An assessment of any kind may not be imposed on a member of a mutual holding company. Any premium due under an insurance policy or contract issued to a member of a mutual holding company is not considered an assessment.
(5) A membership interest in a mutual holding company does not constitute a security as defined in RCW 21.20.005
.
(6) Each member of a mutual holding company is entitled to one vote on each matter coming before a meeting of the members and for each director to be elected regardless of the number of policies or amount of insurance and benefits held by such member. The mutual holding company's bylaws shall set forth the voting rights of the members of a mutual holding company.
(7) Meetings of the members of a mutual holding company shall be governed in the same manner as if the mutual holding company were a domestic mutual insurer, including provisions governing quorum requirements, the approval of matters by the members, and the election of directors by the members.
(8) The articles of incorporation of a mutual holding company shall contain the following provisions:
(a) The name of the mutual holding company. The name shall include the words "mutual holding company" or "mutual insurance holding company" or other words connoting the mutual character of the mutual holding company that are approved by the commissioner;
(b) A provision specifying that the mutual holding company is not authorized to issue capital stock, whether voting or nonvoting; and
(c) A provision setting forth any rights of the members of the mutual holding company on dissolution or liquidation.
(9) A mutual holding company shall automatically be a party to any rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding involving the converted stock insurer that as a result of a reorganization is a direct or indirect subsidiary of the mutual holding company. In such a proceeding, the assets of the mutual holding company shall be counted as assets of the estate of the converted stock insurer for the purpose of satisfying the claims of the policyholders of the converted stock insurer.
[
2023 c 20 s 5
.]
RCW 48.09.450
Concurrent reorganization.
The concurrent reorganization of a domestic mutual insurer with one or more mutual insurers, domestic or foreign, into a single mutual holding company, whether domestic or foreign, may be accomplished by a joint application and a joint plan and may be approved by the commissioner by complying with the requirements of this chapter. The commissioner may determine that such other procedures are unnecessary to avoid duplicative costs and efforts in satisfying the requirements of this chapter and effectuating the reorganization.
[
2023 c 20 s 6
.]
RCW 48.09.460
Foreign mutual insurers
—
Reorganization.
(1) A foreign mutual insurer organized under the laws of any other state, that, if a domestic corporation, would be organized under RCW 48.09.010, may reorganize by merging its policyholders' membership interests into an existing domestic mutual holding company in accordance with the requirements of any other law or regulation that applies to the foreign mutual insurer. The reorganization shall continue the corporate existence of the converting mutual insurer as a foreign stock insurance company subsidiary of the existing domestic mutual holding company or as a foreign stock insurance company subsidiary of an intermediate stock holding company. The reorganizing foreign mutual insurer may remain a foreign insurer after the restructuring and may be admitted to do business in this state if it meets the applicable requirements of this title. A foreign mutual insurer that is a party to the reorganization may at the same time redomesticate to this state by complying with the applicable requirements of this state and the foreign mutual insurer's state of domicile.
(2) For the purposes of this section, "existing domestic mutual holding company" means a mutual holding company formed under this chapter.
[
2023 c 20 s 7
.]