Authorization of Insurers and General Requirements

Del. Code tit. 18, ch. 5
in effect

Del. Code tit. 18, § 501 “Stock insurer” defined.

A “stock insurer” is an incorporated insurer with its capital divided into shares and owned by its stockholders. Unless otherwise provided, the insurance department or division of a corporation established under Chapter 7 of Title 5 (but not the corporation itself) shall be deemed to be a stock insurer for purposes of this title, even though it has no capital divided into shares and owned by stockholders.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 502 “Mutual” insurer defined.

A “mutual” insurer is an incorporated insurer without capital stock and the governing body of which is elected by its policyholders. This definition shall not be deemed to exclude as “mutual” insurers certain foreign insurers found by the Commissioner to be organized on the mutual plan under the laws of their states of domicile but having temporary share capital or providing for election of the insurer’s governing body on a reasonable basis.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 503 “Reciprocal” insurer defined.

A “reciprocal” insurer is an unincorporated aggregation of subscribers operating individually and collectively through an attorney-in-fact common to all such persons to provide reciprocal insurance among themselves.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 504 “Charter” defined.

“Charter” means certificate of incorporation, articles of incorporation, articles of agreement, articles of association, charter granted by legislative act or other basic constituent document of a corporation or the power of attorney of the attorney-in-fact of a reciprocal insurer.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 505 Certificate of authority required.

(a) No person shall act as an insurer and no insurer shall transact insurance in this State by mail or otherwise, except as authorized by a subsisting certificate of authority granted to it by the Commissioner and except as to such transactions as are expressly otherwise provided for in this title. (b) No insurer formed under the laws of this State and no insurer from offices or with personnel or facilities located in this State shall solicit insurance applications or otherwise transact insurance in another state or country unless it holds a subsisting certificate of authority granted to it by the Commissioner authorizing it to transact the same kind or kinds of insurance in this State. (c) Any wilful violation of this section by a domestic corporation shall constitute misuse of its corporate powers, and the Attorney General shall proceed for the forfeiture of its charter under § 284 of Title 8. (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and except as provided herein, any person or other entity which provides coverage in this State for medical, surgical, chiropractic, physical therapy, speech pathology, audiology, professional mental health, dental, hospital or optometric expenses, whether such coverage is by direct payment, reimbursement or otherwise, shall be presumed to be subject to the jurisdiction and authority of the Commissioner unless the person or other entity shows that while providing such services it is subject to the jurisdiction of another agency of this or another state, any subdivisions thereof, or the federal government. The jurisdiction and authority of the Commissioner shall be governed by the following provisions: (1) A person or entity may show that it is subject to the jurisdiction of another agency of this or another state, any subdivision thereof, or the federal government by providing the Commissioner the appropriate certificate, license or other document issued by the other governmental agency which permits or qualifies it to provide those services. (2) Any person or entity which is unable to show that it is subject to the jurisdiction of another agency of this or another state, any subdivision thereof or the federal government shall submit to an examination by the Commissioner to determine the organization and solvency of the person or the entity, and to determine whether or not such person or entity is in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Code. (3) Any person or entity unable to show that it is subject to the jurisdiction of another agency of this or another state, any subdivision thereof or the federal government shall be subject to all appropriate provisions of this Code regarding the conduct of its business. (4) Any production agency or administrator which advertises, sells, transacts or administers coverage in this State, described in this subsection, which is provided by any person or entity described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section shall, if that coverage is not fully insured or otherwise fully covered by an admitted life or disability insurer, nonprofit hospital service plan or nonprofit health-care plan, advise any purchaser, prospective purchaser and covered person of such lack of insurance or other coverage. (5) Any administrator which advertises or administers coverage in this State, described in this subsection, which is provided by any person or entity described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, shall advise any production agency of the elements of the coverage including the amount of “stop-loss” insurance in effect.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 506 Exceptions to certificate of authority requirement.

A certificate of authority shall not be required of an insurer with respect to the following: (1) Investigation, settlement or litigation of claims under its policies lawfully written in this State or liquidation of assets and liabilities of the insurer (other than collection of new premiums), all as resulting from its former authorized operations in this State; (2) Transactions thereunder subsequent to issuance of a policy covering only subjects of insurance not resident, located or expressly to be performed in this State at time of issuance and lawfully solicited, written and delivered outside this State; (3) Prosecution or defense of suits at law; (4) Transactions pursuant to surplus lines coverages lawfully written under Chapter 19 of this title; (5) Reinsurance, except as to domestic reinsurers; (6) Underwriting-membership in a regulated insurance exchange. (7) An automobile club so long as its activities are restricted to those defined in § 1707(b)(4) of this title.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 507 General eligibility for certificate of authority.

To qualify for and hold authority to transact insurance in this State, an insurer must be otherwise in compliance with this title and with its charter powers and must be an incorporated stock or mutual insurer or a reciprocal insurer of the same general type as may be formed as a domestic insurer under this title, except that: (1) No foreign insurer shall be authorized to transact insurance in this State which does not maintain reserves as required by Chapter 11 (Assets and Liabilities) of this title, as applicable to the kind or kinds of insurance transacted by such insurer wherever transacted in the United States, or which transacts business anywhere in the United States on the assessment plan or stipulated premium plan or any similar plan; (2) No insurer shall be authorized to transact workers’ compensation insurance in this State unless approved by the Department of Labor of this State under the provisions of Part II of Title 19; (3) No insurer shall be authorized to transact a kind of insurance in this State unless duly authorized or qualified for authorization to transact such insurance in the state or country of its domicile.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 508 Ownership; management.

(a) No foreign insurer which is directly or indirectly owned or controlled in whole or substantial part by any government or governmental agency shall be authorized to transact insurance in Delaware. Membership in a mutual insurer or subscribership in a reciprocal insurer or ownership of stock of an insurer by the alien property custodian or similar official of the United States or ownership of stock or other security which does not have voting rights with respect to the management of the insurer or supervision of an insurer by public authority shall not be deemed to be an ownership or control of the insurer for the purposes of this provision. (b) The Commissioner shall not grant or continue authority to transact insurance in this State as to any insurer or proposed insurer the management of which is found by the commissioner after investigation or upon reliable information to be incompetent or dishonest or untrustworthy or of unfavorable business repute or so lacking in insurance company managerial experience in operations of the kind proposed in this State as to make such operation, currently or prospectively, hazardous to or contrary to the best interests of, the insurance-buying or investing public of this State, or which the commissioner has good reason to believe is affiliated directly or indirectly through ownership, control, reinsurance transactions or other business relations with any person or persons of unfavorable business repute or whose business operations are or have been marked, to the injury of insurers, stockholders, policyholders, creditors, or the public, by illegality, or by manipulation of assets or of accounts or of reinsurance or by bad faith.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 509 Name of insurer.

(a) No insurer shall be formed or authorized to transact insurance in this State which has or uses a name which is the same as or deceptively similar to that of another insurer already so authorized without the written consent of such other insurer. (b) No life insurer shall be so authorized which has or uses a name deceptively similar to that of another insurer authorized to transact insurance in this State within the preceding 10 years if life insurance policies originally issued by such other insurer are still outstanding in this State. (c) No insurer shall be formed or authorized to transact insurance which has or uses a name the same as or deceptively similar to that of any foreign insurer not so authorized if such foreign insurer has within the next preceding 12 months signified its intention to secure an incorporation in this State under such name or to do business as a foreign insurer in this State under such name by filing notice of such intention with the Commissioner, unless the written consent to the use of such name or deceptively similar name has been given by such foreign insurer. (d) No foreign insurer seeking admission to this State shall be authorized to transact insurance which has or uses a name the same as or deceptively similar to that of a domestic corporation which has been incorporated as an insurer but has not yet secured a certificate of authority until an expiration of 3 years from date of incorporation of such domestic corporation and of filing with the Commissioner a written notice of intent to use such name. (e) No insurer shall be so authorized which has or uses a name which tends to deceive or mislead as to the type of organization of the insurer. (f) In case of conflict of names between 2 insurers or a conflict otherwise prohibited under this section, the Commissioner may permit (or shall require as a condition to the issuance of an original certificate of authority to an applicant insurer) the insurer to use in this State such supplementation or modification of its name or such business name as may reasonably be necessary to avoid the conflict. (g) Except as provided in subsection (f) above, an insurer shall conduct its business in this State in its own corporate (if incorporated) or proper (if reciprocal insurer) name.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 510 Combinations of insuring powers.

(a) A reciprocal insurer shall not be a life insurer. (b) A title insurer shall be a stock insurer and shall not transact any other kind of insurance. This provision shall not prohibit acceptance of reinsurance of title insurance risks by insurers not otherwise authorized to transact title insurance.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 511 Capital funds required.

(a) To transact any 1 kind of insurance (as defined in Chapter 9 of this title), or combinations of kinds of insurance as shown below, an insurer shall possess and thereafter maintain in cash or cash equivalents unimpaired paid-in capital stock (if a stock insurer) or a capital account (if an insurance department or division of a corporation established under Chapter 7 or regulated under Chapter 9 of Title 5) or unimpaired basic surplus (if a foreign mutual or a reciprocal insurer), and when first so authorized shall possess and maintain free surplus, all in amounts not less than as follows: Kind of Stock insurers Mutual Insurers Reciprocal insurers kinds of Capital Free Basic Free Basic Free insurance stock surplus surplus surplus surplus surplus Life $650,000 $350,000 $650,000 $350,000 . . . . . . Health $650,000 $350,000 $650,000 $350,000 $650,000 $350,000 Life & health $650,000 $350,000 $650,000 $350,000 . . . . . . Property $650,000 $350,000 $650,000 $350,000 $650,000 $350,000 Casualty $650,000 $350,000 $650,000 $350,000 $650,000 $350,000 Marine & transportation $650,000 $350,000 $650,000 $350,000 $650,000 $350,000 Surety $650,000 $350,000 $650,000 $350,000 $650,000 $350,000 Multiple line $650,000 $350,000 $650,000 $350,000 $650,000 $350,000 Title $650,000 $350,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . Except: (1) A domestic insurer holding a valid certificate of authority to transact insurance in this State immediately prior to January 1, 2024, may, if otherwise qualified therefor, for a period of 5 years after such date continue to be so authorized while possessing paid-in capital stock (if a stock insurer) or surplus (if a mutual insurer) as required for such authority immediately prior to such date. The Commissioner shall not authorize such an insurer to transact any other kinds of insurance unless it then complies with the requirements as to capital and surplus, as applied to all kinds of insurance it then proposes to transact, as provided by this title as to foreign insurers applying for original certificates of authority under this title. (2) An insurer which otherwise possesses funds as required under this subsection (a) above, shall at all times maintain policyholders’ surplus (combined paid-in capital stock, if any, and surplus) reasonable in amount, as determined by the Commissioner, in relation to the kinds and amount of insurance it has in force, or being written and retained by it, net of applicable reinsurance. In making any such determination the Commissioner shall give due consideration to any applicable standards approved or adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and to the desirability of substantial uniformity as to such requirements among the respective states. In no event shall an insurer’s surplus be less than the amount set forth under subsection (a) of this section. (b) Capital and surplus requirements are based upon all the kinds of insurance transacted by the insurer in any and all areas in which it operates or proposes to operate, whether or not only a portion of such kinds is to be transacted in this State. (c) As to surplus required for authority to transact one or more kinds of insurance and thereafter to be maintained, domestic mutual insurers shall be governed by Chapter 49 of this title.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 512 Insuring combinations without additional capital funds.

Without additional capital or additional surplus, an authorized insurer is also authorized: (1) If a life insurer, to grant annuities or issue funding agreements; (2) If a health insurer, to insure against congenital defects, as defined in § 906(a)(12) of this title; (3) If a casualty insurer, to transact also health insurance. Except, that this provision shall not apply to a domestic insurer authorized to transact casualty insurance pursuant to § 511(a)(1) of this title.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 513 Deposit requirements — In general.

(a) The Commissioner shall not authorize a foreign insurer (other than an alien insurer) to transact insurance in this State unless it makes and thereafter continuously maintains on deposit in this State through the Commissioner, or in another state, cash or securities eligible for such deposit under the laws of this State or of such other state of a fair market value not less than $100,000, for the protection of all its policyholders wherever located or all of its policyholders in the United States or of all its policyholders and creditors. The Commissioner shall accept the certificate in proper form of the public official having supervision over insurers in any other state to the effect that such deposit or part thereof by such insurer is being maintained in public custody or control pursuant to law in such state. The insurer shall at the time of filing its annual statement with the Commissioner as provided in § 526 of this title also file with the Commissioner a certificate from such public official showing the amount and character of the securities composing its deposit held in such other state. (b) The Commissioner shall not authorize an insurer to transact surety insurance unless it makes and thereafter continuously maintains in this State through the Commissioner a special and additional deposit of cash or securities eligible therefor under § 1503 of this title, of a fair market value not less than $10,000, to answer any default of such insurer upon surety contracts issued by it in this State. The foregoing requirement shall not be applicable to any insurer having a paid-in capital and surplus of $10,000,000 or more and continuously maintaining on deposit in this State through the Commissioner, or in another state, cash or securities eligible for such deposit under the laws of this State or of such other state of a fair market value of not less than $400,000 for the protection of all its policyholders wherever located, or all of its policyholders in the United States or all of its policyholders and creditors. (c) No insurer shall transact workers’ compensation insurance in this State unless it makes and thereafter maintains in this State through the Commissioner a special and additional deposit of cash or securities eligible therefor under § 1503 of this title, of a fair market value of not less than $100,000 for the protection of persons in this State covered under the insurance so transacted. Upon any insurer’s inability to pay workers’ compensation claims as a result of a court of competent jurisdiction finding of financial impairment or insolvency, which prevents the regular payment of workers’ compensation benefits, this deposit shall be immediately available upon their request to the Delaware Insurance Guaranty Association for continuation of claims benefits to eligible workers. (d) The Commissioner shall not authorize a domestic title insurer to transact insurance unless it makes and thereafter continuously maintains on deposit in this State through the Commissioner cash or securities eligible for such deposit under § 1503 of this title of a fair market value not less than $25,000 for the protection of its policyholders in this State. (e) All such deposits in this State are subject to the applicable provisions of Chapter 15 (Administration of Deposits) of this title. (f) The Commissioner shall not authorize a domestic insurer, other than a title insurer, to transact insurance unless it makes and thereafter continuously maintains on deposit in this State through the Commissioner cash or securities eligible therefor under § 1503 of this title of a fair market value of not less than $100,000 for the protection of all its policyholders wherever located, or all its policyholders in the United States, or all its policyholders and creditors.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 514 Deposit requirements — Alien insurers.

The Commissioner shall not authorize an alien insurer to transact insurance in this State unless it makes and thereafter continuously maintains on deposit in this State through the Commissioner, or in another state, a surplus of assets in cash or securities eligible for such deposit under the laws of this State or such other state of a value not less than the combined capital and surplus initially required of a like foreign insurer transacting like kinds of insurance in this State. The deposit shall be held in trust for the benefit and security of all the insurer’s policyholders and creditors in the United States or of all the insurer’s policyholders in the United States.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 515 Application for certificate of authority.

To apply for an original certificate of authority an insurer shall file with the Commissioner its written application therefor, accompanied by the applicable fees specified in § 701 of this title, stating under the oath of the president or vice-president, or other chief officer, and the secretary of the insurer, or of the attorney-in-fact if the insurer is a reciprocal insurer, the insurer’s name, location of its home office or principal office in the United States (if an alien insurer), the kinds of insurance to be transacted, date of organization or incorporation, form of organization, state or country of domicile and such additional information as the Commissioner may reasonably require, together with the following documents, as applicable: (1) If a corporation, a copy of its charter or certificate or articles of incorporation, together with all amendments thereto, or as restated and amended under the laws of its state or country of domicile, currently certified by the public official with whom the originals are on file in such state or country; (2) If an incorporated insurer, a copy of its bylaws, certified by the insurer’s corporate secretary; (3) If a reciprocal insurer, a copy of the power of attorney of its attorney-in-fact, certified by the attorney-in-fact, and, if a domestic reciprocal insurer, the declaration provided for in § 5706 of this title; (4) A complete copy of its financial statement as of not earlier than the December 31 next preceding in form as customarily used in the United States by like insurers, sworn to by at least 2 executive officers of the insurer or certified by the public insurance supervisory official of the insurer’s state of domicile, or of entry into the United States (if an alien insurer); (5) A copy of the report of the last examination, if any, made of the insurer within not more than the 3 years next preceding, certified by the public insurance supervisory official of the insurer’s state of domicile, or of entry into the United States (if an alien insurer); (6) Appointment of the Commissioner pursuant to § 524 of this title as its attorney to receive service of legal process; (7) If a foreign or alien insurer, a certificate of the public insurance supervisory official of its state or country of domicile showing that it is authorized to transact in such state or country the kinds of insurance proposed to be transacted in this State; (8) If a foreign insurer, certificate as to deposit if to be tendered pursuant to § 513 of this title; (9) If an alien insurer, certificate as to deposit in another state if to be tendered pursuant to § 514 of this title; (10) If a life or health insurer, a copy of the insurer’s rate book and of each form of policy currently proposed to be issued in this State and of the form of application therefor; (11) If an alien insurer, a copy of the appointment and authority of its United States manager, certified by its officer having custody of its records; (12) Designation by the insurer of its officer or representative authorized to appoint and remove its agents in this State.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 516 Issuance, refusal of authority; ownership of certificate.

(a) If upon completion of its application the Commissioner finds that the insurer has met the requirements therefor under this title, the Commissioner shall issue to the insurer a proper certificate of authority; if he or she does not so find, the Commissioner shall issue his or her order refusing such certificate. The Commissioner shall act upon an application for certificate of authority within a reasonable period after its completion. (b) The Commissioner shall issue certificates of authority under his or her seal of office, showing the date of actual issuance, the kinds of insurance the insurer is authorized to transact in this State, and such other matters as the Commissioner deems necessary. At the insurer’s request, the Commissioner may issue a certificate of authority limited to particular types of insurance or coverages within a kind of insurance as defined in Chapter 9 of this title. (c) Although issued and delivered to the insurer, the certificate of authority at all times shall be the property of the State. Upon any expiration, suspension or termination thereof the insurer shall promptly deliver the certificate to the Commissioner.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 517 Authority conferred; surety insurers; certificate as evidence.

(a) The certificate of authority confers upon the insurer authority to transact in this State only the kind or kinds of insurance therein specified. No surety insurer shall be deemed thereby to possess power to act in capacity of executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, receiver, assignee, or agent, or in any other capacity than that of surety, notwithstanding contrary provisions in its charter. (b) An insurer’s valid and subsisting certificate of authority shall be prima facie evidence of its right to transact in this State the kind or kinds of insurance specified therein.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 518 Continuance, expiration, reinstatement of certificate of authority.

(a) A certificate of authority shall continue in force as long as the insurer is entitled thereto under this title, and until suspended or revoked by the Commissioner or terminated at the insurer’s request; subject, however, to continuance of the certificate by the insurer each year by: (1) Payment on or before March 1 of the continuation fee provided in § 701 (fee schedule) of this title; (2) Due filing by the insurer of its annual statement for the next preceding calendar year as required by § 526 of this title; and (3) Payment by the insurer of premium taxes with respect to the preceding calendar year. (b) If not so continued by the insurer, its certificate of authority shall expire as of midnight on the May 31 next following such failure of the insurer to continue it in force, unless earlier revoked for failure to pay taxes as provided in § 519 of this title. The Commissioner shall promptly notify the insurer of the occurrence of any failure resulting in impending expiration of its certificate of authority. (c) The Commissioner may, in his or her discretion, upon the insurer’s request made within 3 months after expiration, reinstate a certificate of authority which the insurer has inadvertently permitted to expire after the insurer has fully cured all its failures which resulted in the expiration, and upon payment by the insurer of the fee for reinstatement specified in § 701(1) (fee schedule) of this title. Otherwise the insurer shall be granted another certificate of authority only after filing application therefor and meeting all other requirements as for an original certificate of authority in this State.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 519 Suspension or revocation of certificate of authority — Mandatory grounds.

(a) The Commissioner shall refuse to continue or shall suspend or revoke an insurer’s certificate of authority: (1) If such action is required by any provision of this title; (2) If a foreign insurer and it no longer meets the requirements for a certificate of authority, on account of deficiency of assets or otherwise; (3) If a domestic insurer and it has failed to cure an impairment of capital or surplus within the time allowed therefor by the Commissioner under this title, or is otherwise no longer qualified for the certificate of authority; (4) If the insurer’s certificate of authority to transact insurance therein is suspended or revoked by its state of domicile, or state of entry into the United States (if an alien insurer); or (5) For failure of the insurer to pay taxes on its premiums as required by the laws of this State. (b) Except in case of insolvency or impairment of required capital or surplus, or suspension or revocation by another state as referred to in paragraph (a)(4) of this section above, the Commissioner shall give the insurer at least 10 days notice in advance of any such refusal, suspension or revocation under this section, and of the particulars of the reasons therefor. If the insurer requests a hearing thereon within such 10 days, such request shall automatically stay the Commissioner’s proposed action until his or her order is made on such hearing.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 520 Suspension or revocation of certificate of authority — Discretionary and special grounds.

(a) The Commissioner may, in his or her discretion, refuse to continue or may suspend or revoke an insurer’s certificate of authority if he or she finds after a hearing thereon, or upon waiver of hearing by the insurer, that the insurer has violated or failed to comply with any lawful order of the Commissioner, or has wilfully violated or wilfully failed to comply with any lawful regulation of the Commissioner, or has violated any provision of this title or any other title of the Delaware Code applicable to insurers other than those for violation of which suspension or revocation is mandatory, or, in lieu of such suspension or revocation, the Commissioner may, in his or her discretion, levy upon the insurer, and the insurer shall pay forthwith, an administrative fine of not over $5,000. (b) The Commissioner shall suspend or revoke an insurer’s certificate of authority on any of the following grounds, if the Commissioner finds after a hearing thereon that the insurer: (1) Is in unsound condition, or is being fraudulently conducted, or is in such condition or using such methods and practices in the conduct of its business as to render its further transaction of insurance in this State currently or prospectively hazardous or injurious to policyholders or to the public; (2) With such frequency as to indicate its general business practice in this State, has without just cause failed to pay or delayed payment of claims arising under its policies, whether the claim is in favor of an insured or is in favor of a third person with respect to the liability of an insured to such third person; or, with like frequency, without just cause compels insureds or claimants to accept less than the amount due them or to employ attorneys or to bring suit against the insurer or such an insured to secure full payment or settlement of such claims; (3) Refuses to be examined, or if its directors, officers, employees or representatives refuse to submit to examination relative to its affairs, or to produce its accounts, records and files for examination by the Commissioner when required, or refuse to perform any legal obligation relative to the examination; (4) Has failed to pay any final judgment rendered against it in this State upon any policy, bond, recognizance or undertaking as issued or guaranteed by it, within 30 days after the judgment became final, or within 30 days after dismissal of an appeal before final determination, whichever date is the later; (5) As defined in Chapter 40 of this title, has failed to comply with § 4006 of this title; (6) As defined in Chapter 40 of this title, has failed to accept the State’s right of recovery and the assignment to the State of any right of an individual or other entity to payment from the party for an item or service for which payment has been made under the state Medicaid Plan; (7) As defined in Chapter 40 of this title, has failed to respond to any inquiry by the State regarding a claim for payment for any health-care item or service that is submitted within 3 years of the date of the provision of such health-care item or service; (8) As defined in Chapter 40 of this title, has denied a claim submitted by the State on the basis of lack of prior authorization; has denied a claim submitted by the State based solely on the date of submission of the claim, the type or format of the claim, or a failure to present proper documentation at the point-of-sale that is the basis of the claim, if: a. The claim submitted by the State is made within 3 years of the date when the item or service was furnished; and b. Any action by the State to enforce its rights with respect to such claim is commenced within 6 years of the State’s submission of such claim. (c) The Commissioner may, in his or her discretion and without advance notice or a hearing thereon, immediately suspend the certificate of authority of any insurer as to which proceedings for receivership, conservatorship, rehabilitation or other delinquency proceedings have been commenced in any state by the public insurance supervisory official of such state.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 521 Order and notice of suspension, revocation; effect upon agents’ authority.

(a) All suspensions or revocations of or refusals to continue an insurer’s certificate of authority shall be, by the Commissioner’s order, given to the insurer. (b) Upon issuance of the order, the Commissioner shall forthwith give notice thereof to the insurer’s agents in this State of record in the Department, and shall likewise suspend or revoke the authority of such agents to represent the insurer.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 522 Duration of suspension; insurer’s obligations during suspension period; reinstatement.

(a) Suspension of an insurer’s certificate of authority shall be for such period as the Commissioner specifies in the order of suspension, but not to exceed 1 year. During the suspension period the Commissioner may rescind or shorten the suspension by his or her further order. (b) During the suspension period the insurer shall not solicit or write any new business in this State, but shall file its annual statement, pay fees, licenses and taxes as required under this title, and may service its business already in force in this State, as if the certificate of authority had continued in full force. (c) Upon expiration of the suspension period, if within such period the certificate of authority has not terminated, the insurer’s certificate of authority shall automatically reinstate, unless the Commissioner finds that the causes of the suspension, being other than a past event, are continuing, or that the insurer is otherwise not in compliance with the requirements of this title, and of which the Commissioner shall give the insurer notice not less than 30 days in advance of expiration of the suspension period. If not so automatically reinstated, the certificate of authority shall be deemed to have terminated as of the end of the suspension period. (d) Upon reinstatement of the insurer’s certificate of authority, the authority of its agents in this State to represent the insurer shall likewise reinstate. The Commissioner shall promptly notify the insurer and its agents in this State, of record in the Department, of such reinstatement.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 523 General corporation laws inapplicable to foreign insurers.

The general corporation laws of this State as contained in Title 8 of the Delaware Code shall not apply as to foreign insurers holding certificates of authority to transact insurance in this State.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 524 Commissioner as process agent for certain insurers.

(a) Before the Commissioner shall authorize it to transact insurance in this State, each insurer shall appoint the Commissioner, and his or her successors in office, as its attorney to receive service of legal process issued against the insurer in this State. The appointment shall be made on a form as designated and furnished by the Commissioner, and shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the board of directors or like governing body of the insurer, if an incorporated insurer, showing that those officers who executed the appointment were duly authorized to do so on behalf of the insurer. (b) The appointment shall be irrevocable, shall bind the insurer and any successor in interest or to the assets or liabilities of the insurer, and shall remain in effect as long as there is in force any contract of the insurer in this State or any obligation of the insurer arising out of its transactions in this State. (c) Service of such process against a foreign or alien insurer shall be made only by service thereof upon the Commissioner. (d) Service of such process against a domestic insurer may be made as provided hereunder, or in any other manner provided by law. (e) At the time of application for a certificate of authority the insurer shall file the appointment with the Commissioner, together with designation of the person to whom process against it served upon the Commissioner is to be forwarded. The insurer may change such designation by a new filing.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 525 Serving process.

(a) Service of process against an insurer for whom the Commissioner is attorney shall be made by delivering to and leaving with the Commissioner, his or her deputy, or a person in apparent charge of the Commissioner’s office during the Commissioner’s absence, 2 copies of the process, together with fee prescribed in § 701 of this title. (b) Upon such service the Commissioner shall forthwith mail by certified mail 1 of the copies of such process to the person currently designated by the insurer to receive the same as provided in § 524(e) of this title. Service of such process shall not be complete until 3 days after the same has been so mailed. (c) Service of process in the manner provided by this section shall for all purposes constitute valid and binding personal service upon the insurer within this State. (d) The Commissioner shall keep a record of the day of service upon him or her of all legal process.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 526 Annual statement and other required filings.

(a) Each authorized insurer shall annually on or before March 1, or within any reasonable extension of time therefor which the Commissioner for good cause may have granted, file with the Commissioner a full and true statement of its financial condition, transactions and affairs as of December 31 preceding. The statement filing shall be the annual statement form approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) prepared in accordance with NAIC annual statement requirements and the NAIC accounting practices and procedures manual, except as otherwise prescribed or permitted by this title or by the Commissioner. The statement shall be verified by the oath of the insurer’s president or vice-president, and secretary or actuary, as applicable, or, in the absence of the foregoing, by 2 other principal officers, or, if a reciprocal insurer, by the oath of the attorney-in-fact or its like officers if a corporation. (b) The statement of an alien insurer shall be verified by its United States manager or other officer duly authorized, and shall relate only to the insurer’s transactions and affairs in the United States, unless the Commissioner requires otherwise. If the Commissioner requires a statement as to such an insurer’s affairs throughout the world, the insurer shall file such statement with the Commissioner as soon as reasonably possible. (c) The Commissioner may refuse to continue or may suspend or revoke the certificate of authority of any insurer failing to file its annual statement when due. (d) At time of filing, the insurer shall pay the fee for filing its annual statement as prescribed by § 701 of this title. (e) Each domestic, foreign and alien insurer who is authorized to transact insurance in this State shall annually on or before March 1 of each year, file with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners a copy of its annual statement blank, along with such additional filings as prescribed by the Commissioner for the preceding year. The information filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners shall be in the same format and scope as that required by the Commissioner and shall include the signed jurat page and the actuarial certification. Any amendments and addendums to the annual statement filing subsequently filed with the Commissioner shall also be filed with the NAIC. Foreign insurers that are domiciled in a state which has a law substantially similar to this subsection shall be deemed in compliance with this section. (f) In the absence of actual malice, members of the NAIC, their duly authorized committees, subcommittees and task forces, their delegates, NAIC employees and all others charged with the responsibility of collecting, reviewing and analyzing and disseminating the information developed from the filing of the annual statement convention blanks shall be acting as agents of the Commissioner under the authority of this section and shall not be subject to civil liability for libel, slander or any other cause of action by virtue of their collection review, and analysis or dissemination of the data and information collected from the filings required hereunder. All financial analysis ratios and examination synopses concerning insurance companies that are submitted to the Department by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Insurance Regulatory Information System are confidential and may not be disclosed by the Department. (g) Each authorized insurer must quarterly file a full and true statement of its financial condition, transactions, and affairs as of the quarter preceding the filing. (1) The quarterly statement required by this subsection must be filed each quarter on or before May 15, August 15, and November 15. (2) The Commissioner may grant for good cause a reasonable extension to an insurer to file the quarterly statement required by this subsection. (3) The statement required by this subsection is the quarterly statement form approved by the NAIC that is prepared in accordance with NAIC quarterly statement requirements and the NAIC accounting practices and procedures manual, unless specified otherwise in this title or by the Commissioner. (4) In addition to the annual and quarterly filings required by this section, the Commissioner has the authority, in the discretion of the Department, to prescribe additional filings by authorized insurers as necessary for the Department to monitor the ongoing financial condition of authorized insurers. (5) The Commissioner may refuse to continue or may suspend or revoke the certificate of authority of any insurer that fails to file any statements or reports required under this subsection. (h) The annual and quarterly financial statement filings required by this section must be submitted electronically through the NAIC in a format acceptable to the NAIC. All other filings required by this section must be in the form prescribed by the Commissioner.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 527 §§ 527, 528. Resident agent, countersignature law; exceptions to resident agent, countersignature law.

Repealed by 70 Del. Laws, c. 376, §§ 1, 2, effective June 21, 1996.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 529 Cancellation of insurance agency contracts; arbitration.

(a) Every insurance company shall notify the Insurance Commissioner or the Commissioner’s successor and the agency involved of the intent to cancel any written or verbal agency contract, except life insurance contracts, 30 days prior to issuance of the notice of cancellation. (b) No insurance company may cancel an agency without giving 12 months notice, except where fraud exists or where an agency is more than 60 days in arrears of money owed to the insurance company in question. This notice shall be in writing and, upon the option of the company, may prohibit the agency from writing any new business for this particular company, but will allow the agency to renew all existing business in this 12-month period and will allow the agency to have binding authority to make endorsements or other changes to existing business and will provide for the same rate of commission for the 12-month period. (c) The Insurance Commissioner shall appoint an arbitration board to arbitrate the cancellation of agency contracts. This board shall consist of 3 arbitrators, 1 of whom shall be from the Insurance Department, and 2 of whom shall be from the insurance industry. (d) The purpose of this board is to determine whether an agency cancellation will adversely affect the public interest. If such a determination is made, the board shall prescribe a method of cancellation to be followed by both parties. The decision of the board of arbitration shall be binding upon the company and agency involved. (e) (1) This subsection shall not apply in an instance where such company: a. Employs an agent directly; or b. Has an exclusive business arrangement with an agent. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a company may not cancel the contract of an independent agent for property and casualty insurance solely because of adverse underwriting experience in the line of private passenger insurance to the extent losses incurred by the insurer were not the fault of the insured. (3) This subsection does not apply to adverse underwriting experience on losses incurred by the company on: a. Bodily injury coverage; b. Property damage coverage; c. Collision coverage; or d. To the extent that the losses incurred by the insurer were the fault of the insured, personal injury protection coverage and comprehensive coverage.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 530 Emergency requirements.

Whenever in the Commissioner’s opinion a public emergency exists by reason of an abnormal disruption of economic and financial processes which affects the conduct of the business of insurance in a normal and ordinary manner, the Commissioner, with the concurrence of the Governor and the General Assembly, may declare the existence of a public emergency. During such emergency the Commissioner may make, alter, amend, revise and rescind rules and regulations, imposing any condition upon the conduct of the business of any insurer which may be necessary or desirable to maintain sound methods of insurance and to safeguard the interests of policyholders, beneficiaries and the public generally during the period of such emergency, which rules and regulations shall become inoperative when such emergency ceases, and an order to that effect shall be made by the Commissioner.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 531 Emergency powers to regulate liability insurance cancellations and nonrenewals.

(a) (1) Whenever the Insurance Commissioner in his or her discretion finds that an abnormal disruption has occurred or is occurring in the liability insurance market, which has created or will create a situation where the availability of commercial, municipal or professional liability insurance is affected and such disruption will affect the normal transaction of business in this State, as to mid-term cancellations, or affect the health, safety and welfare of Delaware citizens as to nonrenewals, the Commissioner may promulgate regulations regarding cancellations and nonrenewals to safeguard the interests of policyholders and the public generally. (2) When the Commissioner has reasonable cause to believe that a specific line of commercial, municipal or professional liability insurance is unavailable and that such unavailability is a threat to the public health, safety and welfare, he or she may declare such line to be “critical” and immediately suspend and enjoin any proposed nonrenewal of coverage of policies of insurance relating to such line and extend policy renewal dates pending a hearing. Within 30 days thereafter, the Commissioner shall hold a public hearing in accordance with procedures mandated by the Administrative Procedures Act [Chapter 101 of Title 29]. The Commissioner shall serve upon known affected insurers and any other persons involved a copy of such notice, including an order to extend the date of policy terminations pending the public hearing. (3) Within 15 days after the public hearing the Commissioner shall find whether or not the specific line is in fact “critical.” The Commissioner may find that the specific line is “critical” if he or she finds both that: a. The type of coverage is generally unavailable in Delaware at any price reasonably related to the risk assumed; and b. The unavailability of this type of coverage constitutes a threat to the public health, safety and welfare. (4) If the Commissioner finds that paragraphs (a)(3)a. and b. of this section are present, he or she may declare the line of coverage is “critical.” Such declaration shall be effective for 90 days from the date when first declared critical under paragraph (a)(2) of this section. (b) Such regulation shall apply to commercial liability insurance policies, other than automobile, but including commercial multi-peril insurance policies and municipal or professional liability coverages. It does not apply to reinsurance, excess and surplus lines insurance, residual market risks, workers’ compensation insurance, multi-state location risks, policies subject to retrospective rating plans, excess or umbrella policies and such other policies that are exempted by the Commissioner. (c) Such regulation shall provide that no cancellation or nonrenewal of a policy under this section shall be effective in this State unless such cancellation or nonrenewal is based upon any 1 of the following reasons: (1) Nonpayment of premium; (2) Material misrepresentation or nondisclosure to the company of a material fact at the time of acceptance of the risk; (3) Increased hazard or material change in the risk assumed which could not have been reasonably contemplated by the parties at the time of assumption of the risk; (4) Substantial breaches of contractual duties, conditions or warranties that materially affect the nature and/or insurability of the risk; (5) Fraudulent acts against the company by the insured or its representatives that materially affect the nature of the risk insured; (6) Lack of cooperation from the insured on loss control matters affecting insurability of the risk; (7) Bona fide loss of or substantial changes in applicable reinsurance. The insurer shall give 60 days’ notice to the Insurance Commissioner and the insured under this section and shall supply such information at that time as the Insurance Commissioner shall require; (8) Material increase in exposure arising out of changes in statutory or case law subsequent to the issuance of the insurance contract; (9) Bona fide loss of or reduction in available insurance capacity. The insurer shall give 60 days’ notice to the Insurance Commissioner and the insured under this section and shall supply such information at that time as the Insurance Commissioner shall require; (10) Any other reasons approved by the Commissioner. (d) This section shall not apply to an insurer issuing a notice of cancellation with respect to any policy which has been in effect for less than 60 days at the time the notice is mailed or delivered. (e) A notice of cancellation or nonrenewal of insurance coverage by insurer shall be in writing, shall be mailed or delivered to the first named insured at the mailing address as shown on the policy. Notices of cancellation or nonrenewal shall be mailed or delivered at least 60 days but no more than 120 days prior to the effective date of the cancellation or nonrenewal. Notices of cancellation based upon nonpayment of premium shall be mailed or delivered at least 10 days prior to the effective date of cancellation. The notice shall state the effective date of the cancellation. (f) The insurer shall provide the first named insured with a written statement setting forth the reasons for cancellation or nonrenewal where the named insured agrees in writing to hold the insurer harmless from liability for any communication giving notice of or specifying a reason for a cancellation or nonrenewal, or for any statement made in connection with an attempt to discover or verify the existence of conditions which would be a reason for a cancellation or nonrenewal under this section. (g) For purposes of this section, the transfer of a policyholder between companies within the same insurance group is not a refusal to renew. In addition, changing deductibles, changes in premium, changes in the amount of insurance or reductions in policy limits or coverage are not refusals to renew, if such changes are reasonably related to the risk involved. (h) Notice of nonrenewal is not required if: (1) The insurer has offered to issue a renewal policy; or (2) A named insured has obtained replacement coverage or has agreed in writing to obtain replacement coverage. (i) Any cancellation or nonrenewal not in compliance with the notice provision of this section is not effective until proper notice is given. (j) No policy of commercial, municipal or professional liability insurance subject to this section shall be extended beyond its termination date for a period of more than 90 days. The premium on such policies may reflect any change in rates approved by the Insurance Commissioner. (k) Rate filings for any line or class affected by this section shall be approved or disapproved within 30 days of their filing. (l) In addition to these provisions, the Commissioner may implement a market assistance plan providing for a voluntary group of insurers in order to aid insureds in obtaining commercial insurance coverages specified therein.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 532 Retaliatory provision.

(a) When by or pursuant to the laws of any other state or foreign country or province any taxes, licenses and other fees, in the aggregate, and any fines, penalties, deposit requirements or other material requirements, obligations, prohibitions or restrictions are or would be imposed upon Delaware insurers doing business or that might seek to do business in such state, country or province, or upon the agents or representatives of such insurers, or upon brokers, which are in excess of such taxes, licenses and other fees, in the aggregate, or which are in excess of the fines, penalties, deposit requirements or other requirements, obligations, prohibitions or restrictions directly imposed upon similar insurers, or upon the agents or representatives of such insurers, or upon brokers, of such other state, country or province under the statutes of this State, so long as such laws of such other state, country or province continue in force or are so applied, the same taxes, licenses and other fees, in the aggregate, or fines, penalties or deposit requirements or other material requirements, obligations, prohibitions or restrictions of whatever kind shall be imposed by the Commissioner upon the insurers, or upon the agents or representatives of such insurers, or upon brokers, of such other state, country or province doing business or seeking to do business in Delaware. Any tax, license or other fee or other obligation imposed by any city, county or other political subdivision or agency of such other state, country or province on Delaware insurers or their agents or representatives shall be deemed to be imposed by such state, country or province within the meaning of this section. (b) This section shall not apply as to personal income taxes, or as to ad valorem taxes on real or personal property, or as to special purpose obligations or assessments imposed by another state in connection with particular kinds of insurance other than property insurance, or as to guaranty association assessments or tax credits for such assessments, except that deductions, from premium taxes or other taxes otherwise payable, allowed on account of real estate or personal property taxes paid shall be taken into consideration by the Commissioner in determining the propriety and extent of retaliatory action under this section. (c) For the purposes of this section the domicile of an alien insurer, other than insurers formed under the laws of Canada or a province thereof, shall be that state designated by the insurer in writing filed with the Commissioner at time of admission to this State or within 6 months after November 1, 1968, whichever date is the later, and may be any 1 of the following states: (1) That in which the insurer was first authorized to transact insurance; (2) That in which is located the insurer’s principal place of business in the United States; (3) That in which is held the largest deposit of trusteed assets of the insurer for the protection of its policyholders in the United States. If the insurer makes no such designation, its domicile shall be deemed to be that state in which is located its principal place of business in the United States. (d) The domicile of an insurer formed under the laws of Canada or a province thereof shall be as provided in § 102 of this title.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 533 Immunity from liability for reporting fraudulent practices.

Repealed by 69 Del. Laws, c. 463, § 3, effective July 22, 1994.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 534 Location of headquarters.

(a) The headquarters of day-to-day corporate activity and management of any insurer engaged in the business of insurance as a subsidiary or division of a bank or trust company, which bank or trust company is authorized to act as an insurer and transact the business of insurance pursuant to authority granted by § 761(a)(14) of Title 5, shall be located within this State, and the principal books and records of each such insurer shall be located within this State. (b) The Commissioner shall, by regulation promulgated after consultation with the Bank Commissioner, define the term “headquarters of day-to-day corporate activity and management,” and provide for the maintenance and inspection of such headquarters and books and records to assure compliance with the provisions of §§ 929, 930 and 931 of Title 5, and § 2304(23) of this title.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 535 Nondisclosure of nonpublic personal information; adoption of regulations.

No person regulated pursuant to this title shall disclose any nonpublic personal information contrary to the provisions of Title V of the Gramm Leach Bliley Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-002; [15 U.S.C. § 6801 et seq.]). The Commissioner may adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out this section. Such rules and regulations shall be consistent with the provisions of Title V of the Gramm Leach Bliley Act of 1999. Nothing in this section shall be construed to create a private cause of action.

Del. Code tit. 18, § 536 “Funding agreement” defined.

A “funding agreement” is an agreement for an insurer to accept and accumulate funds and to make 1 or more payments at future dates in amounts that are not based on mortality or morbidity contingencies (of the holder of the funding agreement).
Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title18/c005/index.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026