Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                      FORM OF TAX OPINION INSURANCE POLICY*

     THIS TAX OPINION INSURANCE POLICY dated , 2000, (the "POLICY") is for the
benefit of Quantum Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Insula Corporation, a
Delaware corporation, and Maxtor Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(collectively "INSUREDS") and is issued by ______________________ ("INSURER").

     WHEREAS, Insureds anticipate entering into a series of transactions
involving the split-off by Quantum Corporation of its hard drive business,
Quantum HDD, into a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary of Quantum, Insula
Corporation ("Spinco"), including any subsidiary thereof, and the combination of
Spinco and/or subsidiaries with Maxtor. More specifically, the policy will apply
to each of the transactions collectively described as the "Swiss Restructuring,"
the "Internal Distribution,"  the "HDD Transfer" and the "Public Distribution"
in the Opinion as well as the merger of a subsidiary of Maxtor described in the
Opinion, in each case as more fully described in the Opinion and Supplemental
Letter ("Transaction").

     WHEREAS, in connection with the Transaction, Insureds have executed or
intend to execute the Operative Documents, copies of which are attached as
Exhibit I to this Policy; and

     WHEREAS, Insureds anticipate receiving Insured Tax Benefits, in conjunction
with the Transaction and have obtained the opinion of Ernst & Young as to the
availability of the Insured Tax Benefits ("OPINION"), a copy of which is
attached as Exhibit II to this Policy; and

     WHEREAS, one or more Insureds will claim or claim benefits from the Insured
Tax Benefits for United States Federal, State and Local income and franchise
Taxes purposes in accordance with the Opinion; and

     WHEREAS, Insureds desire, and Insurer has agreed to provide, a policy of
Tax Opinion Insurance in favor of Insured in respect of an Insured Tax Loss; and

     WHEREAS, the premium for this Policy has been paid in accordance with the
provisions below.

     NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to this INSURING CLAUSE, and subject to the terms,
conditions, exclusions, Contest Expenses Sub-limit, and Policy Limit hereinafter
set forth, Insurer will indemnify the Insureds for any Insured Tax Loss,
including a judgment or agreed-upon Settlement Amount, and Contest Expenses, for
which one or more Insureds are liable.

SECTION 1. AMOUNT OF PAYMENT.

     (a)  Policy Limit. The Insurer's maximum liability under this Policy is
          $   **     , for all aggregate Insured Insured Tax Loss, including
          Contest Expenses, Gross Ups, Penalties, and Interest owed by Insured
          to a Tax Authority. Insurer's liability for all Insured Tax Loss
          claimed under this Policy is limited to this Policy Limit.

___________

* The form used by each individual syndicate member may vary immaterially from
  this basic form, which has been approved by each member of the syndicate.

** The amount inserted will depend on the individual insurer's share of the
   aggregate $340 million coverage.
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     (b)  Contest Expenses Sub-limit. Insurer's maximum liability for Contest
Expenses with respect to all Insured Tax Losses is two million dollars
($2,000,000).***

          THE CONTEST EXPENSES SUB-LIMIT SPECIFIED IN THIS SECTION 1(B) SHALL
NOT LIMIT AN INSURED'S OBLIGATION TO CONTEST AN INSURED TAX LOSS.

     (c)  Policy Reductions. In the event of an Insured Tax Loss for which
Insurer makes payment of any amount less than the Policy Limit or Contest
Expenses Sub-limit as of the date of the relevant Insured Tax Loss Event,
coverage shall continue, but the Policy Limit and Contest Expenses Sub-limit
shall be reduced by the amount paid by Insurer applicable to each of these
categories.

     (d)  Computation. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding Subsections,
the Insured Tax Loss, with respect to any claim, shall be Quantum's effective
combined federal and other applicable tax rates of all lost Insured Tax
Benefits, with respect to that claim, plus Contest Expenses, Gross Ups,
Penalties, and Interest, less any applicable Offsetting Benefit.

SECTION 2. PROCEDURE FOR & TIME OF PAYMENT

     (a)  In General. Payment of claims hereunder shall be made no later than
thirty (30) days after the receipt by Insurer of a sworn Proof of Loss from an
Insured in the form attached hereto as Schedule A. If an Insured has commenced a
Contest, payment shall be made within ten (10) Business Days after notice to
Insurer of the end of the Contest, unless there has been an earlier payment of
tax, with Insurer's consent, in conjunction with the Contest. The filing of an
Interim Proof of Loss, as provided in Section 3(b) of this Policy, does not
require Insurer to pay under this Policy.

     (b)  Interest. If Insurer fails to pay a claim within the time period set
forth in section 2(a) above, such amounts shall be paid to Insured by Insurer
with interest thereon, accruing from the date such claim was due and payable, at
the rate announced by Citibank, N.A. in New York, New York as its prime rate, as
in effect from time to time.

     (c)  Allocation and Payment of Contest Expenses. If an Insured is involved
in a Contest of both an Insured Tax Loss and any matter pertaining to any actual
or alleged tax liability of the Insured which is not an Insured Tax Loss, the
Insured and the Insurer shall fairly and reasonably allocate such Contest costs
between Insured Tax Loss and matters that are not an Insured Tax Loss.

          If there is an agreement on an allocation of Contest costs, or if the
Contest involves only an Insured Tax Loss, the Insurer shall advance those costs
allocated to covered Contest Expenses every ninety (90) days after the Contest
has commenced.

          If there is no agreement on an allocation of Contest costs, the
Insurer shall advance, every ninety (90) days commencing ninety (90) days after
the Contest has commenced, those Contest Expenses which the Insured in its
reasonable discretion believes to be a covered
____________

*** This sub-limit applies to the aggregate $340 million coverage, not to each
    insurer's share thereof. The maximum insured amount for the entire pooling
    for contest expenses is $2 million.

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          Contest Expenses under this Policy until a different allocation is
          negotiated, arbitrated or judicially determined.

          Any negotiated, arbitrated or judicially determined allocation of
          Contest Expenses on account of an Insured Tax Loss shall be applied
          retroactively to all Contest costs on account of the Insured Tax Loss,
          notwithstanding any prior payment to the contrary. Any allocation or
          payment of Contest Expenses on account of an Insured Tax Loss shall
          not apply to or create any presumption with respect to the allocation
          of Contest costs associated with any other Insured Tax Loss.

          Any payment of Contest Expenses under this Policy shall be subject to
          the Insurer's receipt of a written undertaking by the Insured to repay
          the Insurer, to the extent legally permitted, any advanced Contest
          Expenses that are finally established not potentially to have been
          related to an insured tax loss, as defined herein.

     NOTWITHSTANDING THE CONTEST EXPENSES SUB-LIMIT SPECIFIED IN SECTION 1(B)
ABOVE, IT IS A CONDITION PRECEDENT TO PAYMENT HEREUNDER THAT THE INSURED SHALL
HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE CONTEST PROVISIONS OF THIS POLICY.

SECTION 3. POLICY TERM, ETC.

     (a)  Term. The term of this Policy is the period, both days inclusive, from
________________, 2001, to the later of, (1) ______________, 2007, or (2) the
expiration of statutes of limitation and/or repose applicable to claims of Tax
Authorities regarding the Transaction, plus an agreed-upon extension of time for
claims by any Tax Authority. Claims in respect of Insured Tax Losses that arise
during the Policy term specified in this Section 3(a) must be brought during the
claims period specified in Section 3(b) below.

     (b)  Claims. CLAIMS UNDER THIS POLICY MUST BE BROUGHT WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE
END OF THE POLICY TERM, AS EXTENDED UNDER SECTION 3(A). The filing of an Interim
Proof of Loss with Insurer, in substantially the form of Schedule B attached
hereto, shall constitute a claim for purposes of the time periods specified in
this Section 3(b). An Interim Proof of Loss may be filed with Insurer upon
receipt by Insured of a 30-Day Letter in respect of a proposed adjustment to any
Insured Tax Benefit. Upon the filing of a Proof of Loss or an Interim Proof of
Loss, the term of the Policy is extended to such time as the Loss, and the
Insureds' liability to a Tax Authority, is fully resolved, including the end of
a Contest, as provided in the definition of "Contest," below.

     (c)  Extensions of Claims Period. If, prior to the expiration of the claims
period specified in Section 3(b) above, Insurer receives notice that Insured has
agreed to a Tax Authority's request for an extension of time in which to
assess additional taxes pertaining to the Insured Tax Benefits, this Policy
shall be endorsed, at no additional cost to Insured, to extend or further extend
the claims period specified in Section 3(b) to include such agreed extension of
time.

     (d)  Cancellation. This Policy may not be cancelled by Insured or Insurer,
except as provided herein. This policy shall be cancelled void ab initio upon
the occurrence of a "Conditional Event." Upon occurrence of a Conditional Event,
and

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cancellation of this policy, insurer shall return within ten (10) Business Days
eighty-five percent (85%) of the premium amount to the Insureds. A "Conditional
Event" shall be: termination of the definitive merger agreement between Quantun
and Maxtor that provides for the proposed transaction, in accordance with the
terms of the Operative Documents.

     (e)  No Premium or Contest Expenses Sub-limit Refund. The premium with
respect to this Policy is fully earned by Insurer on the Inception Date and is
not refundable, except as specifically provided herein. The amount of Contest
Expenses Sub-limit that is not used for the specific purpose set forth in this
Policy is not refundable.

SECTION 4. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

     It is condition precedent to the right of Insured to have payment made on
its behalf hereunder that:

     (a)  Notices. Insureds shall have given written notice to Insurer as soon
as practicable but in no event later than sixty (60) days after any written
communications to Insureds from a Tax Authority that reasonably could require
Insurer to make payment hereunder, if the failure to give that notice would
adversely affect Insurer's rights or obligations under this Policy.

     (b)  Mitigation. Insureds shall have acted in relation to the IRS and other
Tax Authority or Tax Authorities at all times substantially as if uninsured and
shall have undertaken all reasonable actions to mitigate any Insured Tax Loss,
to secure the rights and remedies of Insurer in subrogation, and to Contest any
Insured Tax Loss.

          NOTWITHSTANDING THE CONTEST EXPENSES SUB-LIMIT SPECIFIED IN SECTION
1(B) ABOVE, IT IS A CONDITION PRECEDENT TO PAYMENT HEREUNDER THAT INSUREDS SHALL
HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE CONTEST PROVISIONS OF THIS POLICY.

     (c)  Amendments, Etc. Insureds shall not have agreed to any amendment,
modification, change or supplement to, or waiver of any rights under, the
Operative Documents to which Insureds are parties or are required to provide its
consent, without first having obtained the written consent of Insurer if the
Insureds' reasonably believe the amendment or waiver could adversely affect
Insurer's rights or obligations under this Policy, including the impairment of
any right or opportunity of Insurer to mitigate an Insured Tax Loss, secure
rights in subrogation or bring suit. Insurer's consent hereunder shall not be
unreasonably withheld.

     (d)  Tax Returns, Etc. Insureds shall have prepared and filed all
applicable Tax Returns in a manner required to reflect the treatment of the
Insured Tax Benefits consistently with that anticipated by the Opinion.

     (e)  Proof of Loss. A signed, sworn Proof of Loss shall have been received
by Insurer from an Insured, in substantially the form of Schedule A attached
hereto, including a calculation of the Insured Tax Loss, based on reasonably
available information at the time of the completion of the Proof of Loss.

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SECTION 5. EXCLUSIONS.

     This Policy does not cover any otherwise Insured Tax Loss caused directly
or indirectly by:

     (a)  inability of Insureds, for any reason, to benefit economically from
          the Insured Tax Benefits in the absence of an Insured Tax Loss; or

     (b)  failure of Insureds to claim and retain the Insured Tax Benefits,
          including filing Tax Returns and Contests procedures, which could have
          a material adverse effect on the Insurer; or

     (c)  imposition of any Taxes, other than Federal, state and local income or
          franchise taxes with respect to an Insured Tax Loss, provided,
          however, that this Policy will make payment for a Gross-Up of Federal,
          state, and local taxes, as specified in Section 1(a) above; or

     (d)  any fines, penalties, or litigation expenses attributable to the
          asserted fines and penalties, other than as expressly provided herein;
          or

     (e)  amendments, modifications, or changes to the Operative Documents,
          material to insurer's potential liability without prior written
          notification to and consent by Insurer; or

     (f)  compromise of an Insured Tax Benefit issue without Insurer's prior
          written consent; or

     (g)  change in governing law material to insurer's potential liability; or

     (h)  any event, fact or circumstance which would make untrue or inaccurate
          any of (i) the facts and factual assumptions set forth in the Opinion,
          or (ii) the representations, warranties or covenants made by Insureds
          to Insurer, (iii) the representations, warranties or covenants made in
          the Quantum letter or the Lehman Letter, each of which are material to
          insurer's potential liability under this Policy; or

     (i)  failure of the Insureds to follow the conditions stated in the
          Opinion, the Quantum letter, the Lehman Letter, and the Officer's Tax
          Certificate, provided such failure is material to Insurer's potential
          liability under this Policy; or

     (j)  A breach of the representations made in the Quantum Letter, the Lehman
          Letter and the Officer's Tax Certificate, provided such failure is
          material to the Insurer's potential liability under this Policy.

          SECTION 6. NO DUTY TO DEFEND. INSURER HAS NO DUTY TO DEFEND INSUREDS
WITH RESPECT TO AN INSURED TAX LOSS. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, THIS POLICY
SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDES ANY OBLIGATION OF INSURER TO PROVIDE INSUREDS WITH A
DEFENSE OR LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN THE EVENT OF A CONTEST,(EXCEPT TO ADVANCE
CONTEST EXPENSES PURSUANT TO 2(C), OR TO PROVIDE INSURED WITH CONTEST EXPENSES
IN EXCESS OF THE CONTEST EXPENSES SUB-LIMIT SPECIFIED IN SECTION 1(B) ABOVE.

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SECTION 7. SUBROGATION & REFUNDS.

     (a)  In General. If Insurer makes any payment under this Policy in respect
of an Insured Tax Loss, Insurer shall be subrogated, to the extent of that
payment, to all the rights and remedies of Insureds in respect of such Insured
Tax Loss, and Insurer shall be entitled at its own expense to sue in the name of
Insureds. Insureds shall take all reasonable action requested in writing by
Insurer to mitigate any Insured Tax Loss and to secure the rights and remedies
of Insurer in subrogation.

     (b)  Offsets & Reimbursements.

          (1)  If, after the making of any payment by Insurer hereunder, it is
     determined by final judgment as to which appeal periods have expired (A)
     that Insureds were not entitled to all or a part of the payment in respect
     of which payment was made hereunder, or (B) that Insureds receive, directly
     or indirectly, indemnity payments from another party or insurer (except
     indemnity or other payments between Insureds and their affiliates as
     contemplated by Tax Sharing or Indemnification Agreements), or an
     Offsetting Benefit from a Tax Authority in respect of a payment made by
     Insurer hereunder, Insureds promptly shall pay over or refund such amounts,
     and any interest received or that would have been received but for an
     Offsetting Benefit, to Insurer within thirty (30) Business Days of such
     determination or Insured's receipt thereof.

          (2)  If Insureds receive any payments from another party or insurer
     (except indemnity or other payments between Insureds and their affiliates
     as contemplated by Tax Sharing or Indemnification agreements), or a refund,
     offset, or credit from a Tax Authority subsequent to the filing with
     Insurer of a claim with respect to an Insured Tax Loss, Insureds promptly
     shall provide notice to Insurer of the receipt and amounts of any such
     payments or refund. If Insureds receive any such payments or refund prior
     to the payment by Insurer of a claim under this Policy and such payments or
     refund are for any reason not deducted from the amount paid by Insurer,
     Insureds shall pay over to Insurer such payments promptly after payment of
     a claim by Insurer under this Policy.

          (3)  If Insureds are, or become, entitled to a refund, offset, or
     credit from a Tax Authority with respect to the Insured Tax Benefits,
     including as to carry forwards or carry backs, the present value of such
     refund, offset, or credit shall reduce the amount of any Insured Tax Loss
     payable hereunder, or shall be remitted to Insurer by Insured within thirty
     (30) Business Days after the effective date of the finalization of the Tax
     Authority's agreement to such settlement.

     (c)  Interest on Reimbursements. If Insured fails to reimburse Insurer
within thirty (30) Business Days as set forth in Section 7(b), such amounts
shall be paid to Insurer by Insured with interest thereon, accruing from the
date of such determination or receipt by Insured, at the rate announced by
Citibank, N.A. in New York, New York as its prime rate, as in effect from time
to time.

SECTION 8. NOTICES.

     (a)  To Insureds. Any notice or other communication to be given to Insureds
shall be given effectively if made in a writing and delivered to:

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                               Maxtor Corporation
                    Attn: General Counsel and Mr. Paul Tufano
                              510 Cottonwood Drive
                               Milpitas, CA 95035

                               Quantum Corporation
                            Attn: Mr. Richard Clemmer
                              510 Cottonwood Drive
                               Milpitas, CA 95035

                               Insula Corporation
                              Attn: Mr. Paul Tufano
                              510 Cottonwood Drive
                               Milpitas, CA 95035

                  with a copy to:

                        Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP
                      Attn.: Henry Lesser, Martin H. Myers
                               400 Hamilton Avenue
                            Palo Alto, CA 94301-1825

                       Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati
                     Attn.: Michael Kennedy, Michael Schultz
                               650 Page Mill Road
                           Palo Alto, California 94304

     (b)  To Insurer. Any notice or other communication to be given to Insurer
shall be given effectively if made in a writing and delivered to:

                           ----------------------------

                           Attention:
                                     ------------------

                  with a copy to:

                           ----------------------------
                           Attention:
                                     ------------------

     (c)  Change in Address. The parties referenced in this Section 8 may change
the name and address of the parties to whom communications are to be sent by
providing written notice of the change to Insurer.

SECTION 9. ARBITRATION.

     Any controversy or claim arising between Insured and Insurer under, out of,
or in connection with or in relation to the Policy shall be submitted to final
and binding arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of
the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Each party shall appoint
one arbitrator and the two arbitrators so appointed shall select a third
arbitrator. Arbitration shall take place in New York, New York unless otherwise
agreed.

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     The parties hereto agree that (1) the speedy resolution of any disputes
between them to be had as a consequence of this arbitration clause is a mutual
and material inducement to enter into the Policy; (2) the arbitrators, in the
award, shall assess arbitration fees and expenses in favor of any party and, in
the event that any administrative fees or expenses are due the American
Arbitration Association, in favor of the American Arbitration Association; and
(3) awards pursuant to this clause are intended to be the exclusive dispute
resolution mechanism, and are to be enforced solely in the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York.

SECTION 10. OTHER MATTERS.

     (a)  Assignment. The Policy may not be assigned or transferred, and any
rights which may arise under the Policy (including any claims made or that may
be made) may not be assigned or transferred, except to Permitted Assigns, unless
agreed to by Insurer and Insureds in advance in writing.

     (b)  Benefit. The Policy shall inure only to the benefit of the Insureds
and their affiliated and related entities. No person other than Insureds or
their Permitted Assigns or affiliates shall have any legal or equitable right,
remedy or claim under or in respect of the Policy.

     (c)  False or Fraudulent Claims. If Insureds submit any claim hereunder,
actually knowing the same to be false or fraudulent as regards amount or
otherwise, the Policy shall be voided and all claims by any party hereunder
shall be forfeited.

     (d)  Misrepresentations, Etc. False warranty, misrepresentation,
concealment or fraud of Insureds, committed with actual knowledge of such
falsity, misrepresentation, concealment or fraud, in obtaining the Policy, or in
any notification of claim or in any Proof of Loss submitted in accordance with
the Policy, which materially affects Insurer's liability under the Policy, shall
void the Policy from its beginning and the premium paid shall be forfeited to
Insurer and any payment made by Insurer hereunder shall be reimbursed to it in
full by Insureds in accordance with section 7(c) above.

     (e)  Assistance & Cooperation. Insureds shall cooperate fully with Insurer
and Insurer's counsel in preparing for and participating in any audit or other
administrative agency examination or review by a Tax Authority, or in any court
proceeding, including one with the IRS or other Tax Authority. In the event of a
Contest, Insureds shall produce documentation, testimony and evidence, under
oath, if required, and shall attend administrative meetings, hearings,
depositions, and trials and shall assist in (i) effecting settlement, (ii)
securing and giving evidence, (iii) obtaining the attendance of witnesses, and
(iv) the conduct of litigation.

     (f)  Reformation. If, by applicable law, warranties as described herein are
prohibited or not recognized, then in conformity therewith, statements of
Insureds in regard to the Policy shall be accepted as representations.

     (g)  Confidentiality. All parties, professional advisors and brokers will
maintain the confidentiality of the identity of the Insurer except as required
by applicable law (including any requirement for disclosure imposed by the
Securities and Exchange Commision, in which event, final agreement on disclosure
wording will be sought to be reasonably resolved in a conference call).

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     (h)  Informed Parties. The Policy, including the provisions of Section 6
above, and Section 10(k) below, has been negotiated among, and agreed to by,
informed and knowledgeable parties, at arm's-length, represented vigorously by
legal counsel.

     (i)  Sole Agreement. The Policy (including the Schedules and Exhibits
thereto) and the executed by Insurer and Insureds in connection with the Policy,
constitute the sole agreement between Insurer and Insureds with respect to the
insurance provided hereby, and supersede any other prior or simultaneous
agreements, whether written or oral, between them pertaining to the subject
matter hereof.

     (j)  Other Insurance, Etc. The insurance provided by this Policy is excess
over any other insurance that Insureds may have for Insureds' benefit or under
which Insureds may be entitled to collect for the same Insured Tax Loss. It is
specifically recognized and agreed that agreements of or between the Insureds
regarding tax sharing or indemnification are not and shall not constitute "other
insurance."

     (k)  No Defense Obligation. Nothing contained in this Policy shall be
construed as requiring Insurer to provide Insured with a defense or legal
representation in the event of a Contest, (except to advance Contest Expenses
pursuant to 2(c)) or to provide Insured with Contest Expenses in excess of the
Contest Expenses Sub-limit specified in Section 1(b) above.

     (l)  Settlements. Except with respect to Section 7 above, all rights and
obligations of Insurer and Insureds under this Policy, including as to the
Contest Expenses Sub-limit specified in Section 1(b) above, shall be terminated
if Insurer pays the Settlement Amount. Nothing in this paragraph shall relieve
Insurer from any obligation to pay Contest Expenses incurred prior to and/or in
connection with any Settlement, subject to the Contest Expenses Sub-limit.

     (m)  Governing Law. The Policy shall in all respects be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, as applicable
to insurance contracts entered into in that State between citizens of that State
and without reference to conflicts of law principles.

SECTION 11. DEFINITIONS.

     The following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them below for all
purposes of this Policy. The definitions set forth in this Section 11 shall
control over the definitions contained in the "WHEREAS" clauses to the extent of
any inconsistencies.

     "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day
on which the commercial banks are permitted or required to be closed in New
York, New York.

     "CLAIM" means any claim by an Insured for payment of benefits under this
Policy.

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     "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect on
the Inception Date, and any other provision of law or regulation bearing on tax
obligations or responsibilities of the Insureds.

     "CONTEST" means a contest by an Insured of an adjustment in its income or
franchise tax as it relates to the Insured Tax Benefits for which Insurer may be
required to make payment hereunder. In accordance with the provisions of Section
4(b), Insureds shall pursue a Contest in a forum acceptable to Insurer, and
Insureds shall contest a proposed or final adjustment, including by appeal to
the United States Court of Appeals . All decisions regarding the pursuit of
administrative remedies, the appropriate forum for any judicial proceeding, the
legal basis for contesting the adjustment and the choice of counsel for the
Contest shall be made by Insured and approved by Insurer, whose consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld. The end of the Contest shall be when there has
been a final determination adverse to Insured with respect to which either no
further appeal is available or Insurer declines to request Insured to pursue an
appeal. Provided, however, that Insurer will not require a Contest, or
continuation of a Contest, if Insured presents Insurer with an opinion of
counsel reasonably acceptable to Insurer that there is no Reasonable Basis on
which to pursue a Contest.

     "CONTEST EXPENSES" means all fees, cost and other expense of investigating
and conducting a Contest that relates to the Insured Tax Benefits, but not in
excess of the Contest Expenses Sub-limit specified in Section 1(b) above, and
not with respect to any expenses paid or incurred by Insured prior to Insurer's
consent to pursue a Contest, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld.

                  "CONTEST EXPENSES  SUB-LIMIT" means the sub-limit specified in
Section 1(b) above.

     "EXPIRATION DATE" means the later of: (1) March 31, 2007, or (2) the
expiration of statutes of limitation and/or repose applicable to claims of Tax
Authorities regarding the Transaction, plus an agreed-upon extension of time for
claims by any Tax Authority.

     "GROSS-UP" means the amount by which a payment for which the Insureds
become liable for an Insured Tax Loss under this Policy must be increased to
take into account federal, state and local taxes imposed on Insureds in respect
of such payment.

     "INCEPTION DATE" means ________, 2001.

     "INSURED" or "INSUREDS" mean Quantum Corporation, a Delaware corporation,
Insula Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and Maxtor Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, or their successors by operation of law.

     "INSURED TAX BENEFITS" means the non-recognition under Code Section 355 and
parallel provisions under state or local law by Quantum of taxable gain for
Federal, state or local income or franchise tax purposes as a result of any of
the transactions constituting part of the proposed Transaction or all of those
transactions in the aggregate.

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     "INSURED TAX LOSS" means any amount owed by an Insured to a Tax Authority
attributable to a Tax Return position taken with respect to the Insured Tax
Benefits.

     "INSURER" means ____________________.

     "INTEREST" means interest on an underpayment of tax under Internal Revenue
Code Section 6601, to the extent attributable to the Insured Tax Benefits.

     "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service.

     "LEHMAN LETTER" means the letter from Lehman Brothers dated September 29,
2000, attached to this Policy as Exhibit D

     "Officers Tax Certificate" means Maxtor's certificate to Ernst & Young,
attached to this Policy as Exhibit E.

     "OFFSETTING BENEFIT" means any amount realized, or to be realized, by an
Insured, with respect to any year, of any saving of any Taxes that would not
have been realized but for an Insured Tax Loss. The amount of all Offsetting
Benefits shall be determined with regard to the timing of those Benefits,
provided, however, that Offsetting Benefits shall not exceed the Policy Limit.

     "OPERATIVE DOCUMENTS" means, without amendments, modification, change or
supplement, the Opinion, the Lehman Letter, the Quantum Letter, the Officer's
Tax Certificate and the definitive merger agreement (amended and restated)
between the Insureds providing for the proposed Transaction, a copy of which is
attached as Exhibit I to this Policy.

     "OPINION" means Ernst & Young LLP's tax opinion dated October 3, 2000 (with
attachments) and the Supplemental Letter, each of which is attached as Exhibit
II to this Policy.

     "PENALTIES" mean penalties imposed under the Code with respect to an
underpayment of tax attributable to the Insured Tax Benefits.

     "PERMITTED ASSIGNS" means any affiliate or successor by operation of law of
an Insured, and any person as to which Insurer otherwise has agreed the Policy
or Policy benefits may be assigned or transferred.

     "POLICY" means this Tax Opinion Insurance Policy, dated as of ________,
2000, agreed to and underwritten by Insurer for the benefit of the Insureds.

     "POLICY LIMIT" means $_________**, in all.

     "POLICY TERM" means the periods set forth in Section 3(a) of this Policy.

     "QUANTUM LETTER" means the letter from Quantum Corporation to Ernst & Young
dated September 27, 2000, attached to this Policy as Exhibit F.

     "REASONABLE BASIS" has the meaning accorded that term by Formal Opinion
85-352 issued by the Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional
Responsibility of the American Bar Association.

                                       12
<PAGE>   12

     "SETTLEMENT AMOUNT" means the amount, not in excess of the Policy Limit,
for which the IRS or other Tax Authority has agreed to settle the issues or
claims that could have resulted or allegedly did result in an Insured Tax Loss,
including a Closing Agreement, Form 870AD or similar document or form.

     "SUPPLEMENTAL LETTER" means Ernst & Young LLP's letter dated November 30,
2000 addressed to Quantum Corporation and Maxtor Corporation regarding the
"Quantum HDD/Maxtor Merger".

     "TAX AUTHORITY" means and includes the IRS, the United States of America,
the California Franchise Tax Board, the State of California, and any other
federal, state or local unit of government with authority and jurisdiction to
impose any Taxes on any of the Insureds in connection with the Transaction.

     "TAXES" mean any Federal, foreign, state or local taxes, excises, duties,
withholdings, charges, impositions, transferer liabilities, or similar items of
any jurisdiction and regardless of whether it arises incident to or by any
treaty, or similar agreement, between or among sovereign authorities relating
to, in whole or in part, taxes, charges, impositions, excises, withholdings,
etc., imposed by any signatory thereto or any Tax Authority within any such
signatory.

     "TAX LOSS EVENT" means the event that gives rise to an Insured Tax Loss
(regardless of the time the Insured Tax Loss is discovered, whether during audit
or otherwise).

     "TAX RETURNS" mean a return required to be filed under the Code.

     "TRANSACTION" means and includes the split-off by Quantum Corporation of
its hard drive business, Quantum HDD, into a newly formed, wholly owned
subsidiary of Quantum, Insula Corporation ("Spinco"), and the combination of
Spinco and/or subsidiaries with Maxtor. More specifically, the policy will apply
to each of the transactions collectively described as the "Swiss Restructuring,"
the "Internal Distribution," the "HDD Transfer" and the "Public Distribution" in
the Opinion as well as the merger of a subsidiary of Maxtor described in the
Opinion, in each case as more fully described in the Opinion.

     "30-DAY LETTER" means a preliminary notice from the IRS specifying a
proposed adjustment which, if not responded to within 30 days, will result in a
notice of deficiency, which notice of deficiency commences the 90-day period
specified in Code Section 6213(a), and includes any other similar communication
from any other Tax Authority.

                                       13
<PAGE>   13

                                   SCHEDULE A

                                  Proof of Loss

     In accordance with the terms of the Tax Opinion Insurance Policy, Policy
No. _________, ("POLICY"), dated as of , 2000, issued by _____________________
("INSURER"), we are filing this Proof of Loss pursuant to Section 4(e) of the
Policy. An Insured Tax Loss in the amount of US$________, with respect to the
Insured Tax Benefits occurred on _______, 200_. Attached hereto is a detailed
computation of the Insured Tax Loss and an explanation of the facts and
circumstances which gave rise to the Insured Tax Loss.

     As authorized representatives of Insured, this Proof of Loss verifies that
each applicable condition precedent to payment under the Policy has been
satisfied in all respects and that no exclusion contained in the Policy bars our
claim.

     Effective upon our receipt of payment in accordance with the terms of the
Policy, the undersigned discharges Insurer for all liability with respect to
such Insured Tax Loss.

     Please let us know immediately if you have any questions with regard to
this Proof of Loss or its attachments.

     ______________________ Corporation

     By:
     Name:
     Title:
     Date:

             )
             ) SS
             )

     I,__________________, in and for said County, in the State aforesaid, DO
HEREBY CERTIFY that _______________________, personally known to me to be the
and personally known to me to be the same person whose name is subscribed to the
foregoing instrument, appeared before me this day in person and acknowledged
that as such ______________________ signed and delivered the said instrument as,
pursuant to the authority given by the Board of Directors of said corporation
as his free and voluntary act, and as the free and voluntary act and deed of
said corporation, for the uses and purposes therein set forth.

     GIVEN under my hand and seal this _____ day of ___________ , A.D. 200_.

     Notary Public

     My commission expires:

                                       14
<PAGE>   14

                                   SCHEDULE B

                              Interim Proof of Loss

     The attached 30-Day Letter was received by __________ on __________, 200_,
 . The 30-Day Letter proposes that an Insured Tax Loss in the amount of
US$__________, with respect to the Insured Tax Benefits occurred on ___________.
Attached hereto is a detailed computation of the Insured Tax Loss and an
explanation of the facts and circumstances which gave rise to the Insured Tax
Loss.

     Each applicable condition precedent to payment under the Policy has been,
or will be before the filing of a Proof of Loss, satisfied in all respects. No
exclusion contained in the Policy bars our claim for the Insured Tax Loss
described above.

     We acknowledge that filing this Interim Proof of Loss serves solely to
satisfy the claims notice provision of the Policy Term, as specified in Section
3 above, and not to require a payment under this Policy.

     Please let us know immediately if you have any questions with regard to
this Proof of Loss or its attachments.

     ____________________ Corporation

     By:

     Name:
     Title:
     Date:

                                       15
<PAGE>   15

                                    EXHIBIT I

                                Merger Agreement

                                       16
<PAGE>   16

                                   EXHIBIT II

                                   Tax Opinion

                                       17<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         This agreement is dated January 31, 2001 between Amro International
S.A. ("Purchaser"), and NeoTherapeutics, Inc. ("Company"), whereby the parties
agree as follows:

         The Purchaser shall buy and the Company agrees to sell $3,500,000 worth
of shares ("Shares") of the Company's Common Stock at a price per share equal to
85% of the average of the volume-weighted average prices ("VWAPs") of the common
stock on the five trading days prior to the Closing Date. However, in no event
shall the Company issue shares based upon any daily VWAP below $2.00 (the
"Threshold Price"). In the event that any one or more daily VWAPs within the
five trading day period shall be less than the Threshold Price, then the Company
shall not sell and the Purchaser shall not purchase a dollar amount of Shares
equal to one-fifth of the purchase commitment for each such day that the VWAP is
below such Threshold Price. By way of example only, if the VWAP is below the
Threshold Price on one of five days, then the aggregate purchase price shall be
$2,800,000, priced at 85% of the average of the VWAPs for the included four
days. Funding of the purchase shall occur on the Closing Date. The Closing Date
shall be February 5, 2001. Volume-weighted average price shall be as reported by
Bloomberg, LP for each trading day of 9:30-4:00. The Shares have been registered
on a Form S-3, File No. 333-53108, which registration statement has been
declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Shares, when
delivered, will be free of restrictive legends and will be free of any resale
restrictions. The Company shall deliver a prospectus supplement on Form 424
(b)(2) regarding the sale of the Shares prior to funding as a condition to the
effectiveness of this Agreement. Prior to delivery of such prospectus supplement
this Agreement shall be an indication of interest only.

         The Purchaser shall wire the purchase amount to the Company to the
account set forth below.

Wire Transfer Instructions:

Chase Manhattan Bank, N.Y.C.
4 New York Plaza, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10004

Routing No: 021 000 021
FBO: Salomon Smith Barney, Inc.
     Account No.  066-198 038
FCC: NeoTherapeutics, Inc.
     Account No. 561-04051-19 103

         The Company shall cause its transfer agent to transmit the Shares
electronically to the Purchaser by crediting the account set forth below through
the Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission system.

<PAGE>   2

DWAC Instructions:

     DTC #       0116
     Account #   11011764

Notices to the Company shall be delivered by fax to:

Rajesh Shrotriya
President
Fax: (949) 788-6706

Notices to the Purchaser shall be delivered by fax to:

Name:    c/o Rhino Advisors, Inc., attention:  Thomas Badian
Title:   President
Fax No.: 212 594 7181

                                               AGREED AND ACCEPTED:

                                               NeoTherapeutics, Inc.

                                               By: /s/ Rajesh Shrotriya
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                   Name: Rajesh Shrotriya
                                                   Title: President

                                               Amro International, S.A.

                                               By: /s/ H.U. Bachofen
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                   Name: H.U. Bachofen
                                                   Title: Director

                                       2

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