LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTES
Title 22, Section 1375, et seq.

Insurance Guaranty Association Fund

Sec.
1375. Title.
1376. Purpose.
1377. Scope; policy coverage determination.
1378. Construction.
1379. Definitions.
1380. Creation of the association.
1381. Board of directors.
1382. Powers and duties of the association.
1383. Plan of operation.
1384. Duties and powers of the commissioner.
1385. Effect of paid claims.
1386. Non-duplication of recovery.
1387. Prevention of insolvencies.
1388. Examination of the association.
1389. Tax exemption.
1390. Recognition of assessments in rates.
1391. Immunity.
1392. Stay of proceedings; reopening of default judgments; execution of judgments; proration.
1393. Advertisements.
1394. Effective date.

This Part shall be known and may be cited as the Insurance Guaranty Association Law. Added by Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1.

The purpose of this Part is to provide a mechanism for the payment of covered claims under certain insurance policies to avoid excessive delay in payment and to avoid financial loss to claimants or policyholders because of the insolvency of an insurer, to assist in the detection and prevention of insurer insolvencies and to allow the association to provide financial assistance to member insurers under rehabilitation or liquidation, and to provide an association to assess the cost of such operations among insurers. Added by Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1; amended by Acts 1992, No. 517, § 1, eff. June 25, 1992.

A. This Part shall apply to all kinds of direct insurance, except life, health and accident, title, disability, mortgage guaranty, financial guaranty, or other insurance offering protection against investment risks, credit insurance, and any transaction or combination of transactions which involve the transfer of investment or credit risks unaccompanied by the transfer of the insurance risk, vendor’s single interest insurance, collateral protection insurance, or any similar insurance which protects the interests of a creditor arising out of a creditor-debtor transaction, vehicle mechanical breakdown insurance, and ocean marine insurance. It shall likewise not apply to fidelity and surety insurance nor to bail bond contracts.

B. The kind and coverage of insurance afforded by any policy shall be determined solely by the coverage specified and established in the provisions of that policy regardless of any name, label, or marketing designation for the policy. Added by Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1; amended by Acts 1989, No. 618, § 1; Acts 1989, No. 620, § 1; Acts 1990, No. 101, § 1.

This Part shall be liberally construed to effect the purpose under section R.S. 22:1376, which shall constitute an aid and guide to interpretation. Added by Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1.

As used in this Part:

(1) “Association” means the Insurance Guaranty Association created under R.S. 22:1380.

(2) “Commissioner” means the commissioner of insurance of this state.

(3) (a) “Covered claim” means an unpaid claim, including one for unearned premiums by or against the insured or agent, which arises out of and is within the coverage and not in excess of the applicable limits of an insurance policy to which this Part applies issued by an insurer, if such insurer becomes an insolvent insurer after September 1, 1970, and:

(i) The claimant or insured is a resident of this state at the time of the insured event; or

(ii) The property from which the claim arises is permanently located in this state.

(b) “Covered claim” shall not include any amount due any reinsurer, insurer, health maintenance organization or plan, preferred provider organization or plan, employee retirement fund including but not limited to plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Medicare, Medicaid, any insurance pool, or any underwriting association, or within the coverage represented, replaced, or both by a certificate of self insurance as subrogation recoveries or otherwise. In addition, the insured of an insolvent insurer shall likewise not be liable for any subrogation claim asserted by any reinsurer, insurer, health maintenance organization or plan, preferred provider organization or plan, employee retirement fund including but not limited to plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Medicare, Medicaid, any insurance pool, or any underwriting association or within the coverage represented, replaced, or both by a certificate of self-insurance to the extent of the applicable liability limits previously provided to such insured by the insolvent insurer.

(c) “Covered claim” shall not include any amount due under or arising from a bail bond contract.

(d) “Covered claim” shall not include any claim based on or arising from a preinsolvency obligation of an insolvent insurer, including but not limited to contractual attorneys’ fees and expenses, statutory penalties and attorneys’ fees, court costs, interest and bond premiums, or any other expenses incurred prior to the determination of insolvency.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Part, a “covered claim” shall not include a claim filed with the association after the earlier of five years after the date of the order of liquidation of the insolvent insurer or the final date set by the domiciliary court for the filing of claims against the liquidator or receiver of an insolvent insurer. A “covered claim” shall also not include any claim filed with the association or a liquidator for incurred-but-not-reported losses or unspecified potential losses. Amended by Acts 1987, No. 172, § 1, eff. June 19, 1987; Acts 1989, No. 620, § 1; Acts 1990, No. 105, § 1; 1999 LA H.B. 1834; 1999 LA H.B. 1835; 1999 LA H.B. 1837.

(f) “Covered claim” shall not include any claim asserted for coverage under a policy held by any insured whose net worth exceeds twenty-five million dollars on December thirty-first of the year immediately preceding the date of the determination of the insolvency of the insurer. However, an insured’s net worth on such date shall be deemed to include the aggregate net worth of the insured and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates as calculated on a consolidated basis. An “affiliate” of the insured includes any person or entity who directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with the insured. “Control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the controlled person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise. The consolidated net worth of the insured and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates shall be calculated on the basis of their fair market values. The failure or refusal of a person or entity to return a net worth affidavit to the association after two requests therefore shall create a rebuttable presumption that the noncompliant person or entity had a net worth in excess of twenty-five million dollars on December thirty-first of the year immediately preceding the date of the determination of the insolvency of the insurer. An insured for the purposes of this provision shall not include any state or local governmental agency or subdivision thereof.

(4) (a) “Insolvent insurer” means:

(i) An insurer authorized to transact insurance in this state either at the time the policy was issued or when the insured event occurred, and

(ii) Against whom an order of liquidation with a finding of insolvency has been entered by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction in the insurer’s state of domicile or of this state, and which order of liquidation has not been stayed or been the subject of a perfected suspensive appeal or other comparable order.

(b) Any person, and any attorney who represents a person, who files a petition against the association alleging as a basis for the claim the insolvency of an insurer, where said insurer is not an insolvent insurer within the meaning of R.S. 22:1379(4)(a), shall pay the reasonable expenses incurred because of the filing of the petition, including a reasonable attorney’s fee, subject to the following conditions:

(i) The association shall furnish to either the person or his attorney, by ordinary service of process, hand delivery, or certified mail, return receipt requested, written notification that the insurer is not an insolvent insurer within the meaning of R.S. 22:1379(4)(a); and

(ii) If, within sixty days of the receipt of such notification, the person or his attorney has not dismissed the petition, with prejudice and at plaintiff’s cost. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 486, § 1; Acts 1990, No. 254, § 1.

(5) “Member insurer” means any person who:

(a) Is licensed and authorized to transact insurance in this state, and

(b) Since September 1, 1970, has written at least one policy of insurance to which this Part applies. Amended by Acts 1989, No. 688, § 1.

(6) “Net direct written premiums” means direct gross premiums written in this state on insurance policies to which this Part applies, less return premiums thereon and dividends paid or credited to policyholders on such direct business. Net direct written premiums does not include premiums on contracts between insurers or reinsurers. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no assuming reinsurer shall be required to pay or otherwise contribute to any fund or assessment of the association except for any insurance which the reinsurer directly writes in the state. Amended by Acts 1992, No. 835, § 1.

(7) “Person” means any individual, company, insurer, association, organization, reciprocal or inter-insurance exchange, partnership, business, trust or corporation.

(8) “Insurance policy” means an insurance contract as defined in R.S. 22:624, and shall not include an agreement whereby an insurer agrees to assume and carry out directly with the policyholder any of the policy obligations of another insurer, such as cut-through endorsements, reinsurance endorsements, facultative reinsurance agreements, treaty reinsurance agreements, and other such agreements, when either insurer is affiliated with the other. “Affiliated” as used in the Section means that either insurer owns or controls, directly or indirectly, a majority of the voting shares of the other or the controlling interest therein, or that both insurers are so owned or controlled by another. Added by Acts 1989, No. 688, § 1. Amended by Acts 1990, No. 129, § 1.
(9) “Ocean marine insurance” includes marine insurance as defined in R.S. 22:6(13), except for inland marine, as well as any other form of insurance, regardless of the name, label or marketing designation of the insurance policy, which insures against maritime perils or risks and other related perils or risks, which are usually insured against by traditional marine insurance such as hull and machinery, marine builders’ risks, and marine protection and indemnity. Such perils and risks insured against include without limitation loss, damage or expense or legal liability of the insured for loss, damage, or expense arising out of or incident to ownership, operation, chartering, maintenance, use, repair or construction of any vessel, craft or instrumentality in use in ocean or inland waterways, including liability of the insured for personal injury, illness or death or for loss or damage to the property of the insured or another person, except this definition shall not include insurance on vessels under five tons gross weight. Added by Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1; 1980, No. 486, § 1; amended by Acts 1987, No. 172, § 1, eff. June 19, 1987; Amended by Acts 1987, No. 172, § 1, eff. June 19, 1987; Acts 1989, No. 620, § 1; Acts 1989, No. 688, § 1; Acts 1990, No. 105, § 1; Acts 1990, No. 129, § 1; 1990, No. 254, § 1; 1992, No. 835, § 1; Amended by Acts 1997, No. 1340, § 1.

A. There is created a private nonprofit unincorporated legal entity to be known as the “Insurance Guaranty Association”, whose domicile for purpose of suit shall be East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. All insurers defined as member insurers in R.S. 22:1379 shall be and remain members of the association as a condition of their authority to transact insurance in this state. The association shall perform its functions under a plan of operation established and approved under R.S. 22:1383 and shall exercise its powers through a board of directors established under R.S. 22:1381.

B. The association is not and may not be deemed a department, unit, agency, or instrumentality of the state for any purpose. All debts, claims, obligations, and liabilities of the association, whenever incurred, shall be the debts, claims, obligations, and liabilities of the association only and not of the state, its agencies, instrumentalities, officers, or employees. Association monies may not be considered part of the general fund of the state. The state may not budget for or provide general fund appropriations to the association, and the debts, claims, obligations, and liabilities of the association may not be considered a debt of the state or a pledge of its credit.

C. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections (A) and (B) of this Section, and except as provided by Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, the association shall be subject to R.S. 42:4.1 through 1311 and to R.S. 44:1 through 41,2 and may be considered as if it were a public body for the purpose of those provisions.

(2) The association may hold an executive session pursuant to R.S. 42:6 for discussion of one or more of the following, and R.S. 44:1 through 41 shall not apply to any documents as enumerated in R.S. 44:1(A)(2) which relate to one or more of the following:

(a) A request by the association for an examination of a member insurer pursuant to R.S. 22:1387(2), provided that such request shall be made known to the attorney general contemporaneous with the action being taken.

(b) Reports and recommendations made by the association to the commissioner pursuant to R.S. 22:1387(4) on any matter relevant to the solvency, liquidation, rehabilitation, or conservation of any member insurer, until such insolvency has been declared or the member insurer has been placed in liquidation, rehabilitation, or conservation.

(c) Matters protected by attorney-client privilege.

(d) Matters with respect to claims or claim files, except documents contained in those files which are otherwise deemed public records.

(e) Prospective litigation against the association after formal written demand, prospective litigation by the association after referral to counsel for review, or pending litigation by or against the association.

(f) Any other matters now provided for or as may be provided for by the legislature.

(g) Discussion by or documents in the custody or control of any committee or subcommittee of the association, or any member or agent thereof, or the board of directors or any member or agent thereof, provided such discussion or documents would otherwise be protected from disclosure by any of the exceptions provided in this Paragraph. Added by Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1; amended by Acts 1990, No. 968, § 1, eff. July 25, 1990.

1In par. C(1), the Open Meeting Law.
2In par. C(1), the Public Records Law.

A. (1) The board of directors of the association shall consist of nine persons serving terms as established in the plan of operation. The board shall be composed of two consumer representatives appointed by the commissioner, one person appointed by the president of the Senate, one person appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, all of whom shall be residents of the state of Louisiana, and five additional persons selected by member insurers, one of which shall be a representative selected by the membership of the Louisiana Association of Fire and Casualty Companies (LAFAC), subject to the approval of the commissioner. Vacancies in the positions for which persons are selected by member insurers shall be filled until the next regularly scheduled election for a member of the board by a majority vote of the remaining members, subject to the approval of the commissioner. At the next regularly scheduled election for a member of the board, the member insurers shall select a member to serve the remainder of the unexpired term of any member appointed by the board, subject to the approval of the commissioner. No person shall serve as a member after his replacement has been either appointed or selected by member insurers and approved by the commissioner. The commissioner shall transmit to the board his approval or disapproval of new board members within thirty days after he has been notified of their selection, and he shall accompany any disapproval of a board member with his written reasons for such disapproval.

(2) The board of directors of the association is hereby abolished and reestablished. The terms of the members of the board of directors serving on the effective date of this Subsection shall terminate on the effective date of this Subsection. The members of the new board of directors shall be selected as provided in this Subsection.

B. In approving selections to the board, the commissioner shall consider among other things whether all member insurers are fairly represented.

C. Members of the board may be reimbursed from the assets of the association for expenses incurred by them as members of the board of directors. Added by Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1; amended by Acts 1989, No. 619, § 1; Acts 1990, No. 129, § 1; Acts 1993, No. 397, § 1; Amended by Act 1997, No. 468, § 1, eff. 6-26-97.

A. The association shall:

(1)(a) Be obliged to the extent of the covered claims existing prior to the determination of the insurer’s insolvency, or upon order of the court as provided in R.S. 22:735, or arising after such determination but prior to the first to occur of the following events:

(i) Expiration of thirty days after the date of such determination of insolvency,

(ii) Expiration of the policy, or

(iii) Replacement or cancellation of the policy at the instance of the insured if he does so within thirty days of the determination, but such obligation shall include only that amount of each covered claim, except return premiums, which is in excess of one hundred dollars and is less than one hundred fifty thousand dollars, per claim, subject to a maximum limit of three hundred thousand dollars per accident or occurrence, nor shall a claim for the portion of unearned premiums in excess of ten thousand dollars be allowed.

(b) The applicable limit per claim and per accident or occurrence shall be exhaustive of the entire liability of the association under this Part, however arising, without regard to the nature of or basis for that liability, except court costs incurred subsequent to the date of insolvency.

(c) Excepting claims for unearned premiums, which shall be subject to the ten thousand dollar limitation provided herein, the association shall pay the full amount of any covered claim arising out of a worker’s compensation policy.

(d) In no event shall the association be obligated to a policyholder or claimant in an amount in excess of the obligation of the insolvent insurer under the policy from which the claim arises.

(e) “Accident or occurrence” in this Section means one proximate, uninterrupted, or continuing cause which results in all of the injuries or damages even though several discrete items of damage result, and even though multiple claims and claimants may arise as a result of one such accident or occurrence. A series of claims arising from the same accident or occurrence shall be treated as due to that one accident or occurrence and thus shall be subject to the aggregate liability limit established herein.

(2) Be deemed the insurer to the extent of its obligation on the covered claims and to such extent shall have all rights, duties and obligations of the insolvent insurer as if the insurer had not become insolvent; however, when the liability of the association under this Part has been exhausted by payment, the obligation of the association to provide a defense to the insured of an insolvent insurer shall cease.

(3)(a) (i) Assess insurers amounts necessary to pay the obligations of the association under Paragraph A(1) subsequent to an insolvency, the expenses of handling covered claims subsequent to an insolvency, and the cost of examinations under R.S. 22:1388, to fund loans or provide guarantees to member insurers under rehabilitation or liquidation and other expenses authorized by this Part. The assessments of each member insurer shall be in the proportion that the net direct written premiums of the member insurer for the preceding calendar year, whether or not a company withdraws subsequent to the preceding calendar year, bears to the net direct written premiums of all member insurers for the preceding calendar year. Each member insurer shall be notified of the assessment not later than thirty days before it is due.

(ii) (aa) Beginning January 1, 1990, and ending December 31, 2002, no member insurer may be assessed in any year an amount greater than two percent of that member insurer’s net direct written premiums for the preceding calendar year. Beginning January 1, 2003, and thereafter, no member insurer may be assessed in any year an amount greater than one percent of that member insurer’s net direct written premiums for the preceding calendar year. If the maximum assessment, together with the other assets of the association, does not provide in any one year an amount sufficient to make all necessary payments, the funds available shall be prorated and the unpaid portion shall be paid as soon thereafter as funds become available. However, as to any assessment or portion thereof payable after May 1, 1992, payors doing business in Louisiana under a valid certificate of authority as of January 1, 1992, and who as of August 21, 1992 have at least one-half of their total admitted assets invested in qualifying Louisiana investments as defined in R.S. 22:1068(c), shall receive an earned credit for the amount of such assessment payable as follows: the association shall establish on its books an assessment credit fund and shall set aside and escrow in such fund ninety-five percent of the amount actually received by the association from each payor qualifying for such earned credit; not later than sixty days after receipt of such payments, the association shall certify to each payor the amount in such fund attributable to each qualifying payor; amounts credited to the assessment credit fund shall be expended by the association, only to the extent funds are not otherwise available, to meet its obligations under any cooperative endeavor agreement dated as of October 1, 1990 (together with all amendments and supplements thereto entered into by the association), and upon satisfaction of all of the association’s obligations under such cooperative endeavor agreement and the termination thereof in accordance with its terms, the balances in the assessment credit fund shall be promptly paid over by the association to each payor qualifying for the earned credit in the amounts certified by the association; to the extent amounts then on deposit in the fund are insufficient to make such payments to such payors, such amounts shall be paid over by the association pro rata. However, the payors shall continue to have a claim of first priority against funds thereafter received by the association until the earned credits are paid in full by the association. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amounts shall be paid by the association to any payor that has received an earned credit until the association has satisfied all of its obligations under any cooperative endeavor agreement, dated as of October 1, 1990 (together with all amendments and supplements thereto entered into by the association), and such agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms. In the event any indebtedness secured or permitted to be secured under the cooperative endeavor agreement dated as of October 1, 1990 (together with all amendments and supplements thereto) is refunded or otherwise refinanced by the extension of such existing cooperative endeavor agreement and the incurrence by the association thereunder of indebtedness not contemplated by such agreement as of August 21, 1992, upon the payment and satisfaction by the association of all of its obligations and commitments thereunder, such agreement shall be deemed to be terminated for purposes of this Item.

(bb) As to any assessment made on or after the termination of any such cooperative endeavor agreement in accordance with its terms or deemed terminated under the provisions of this Item, payors doing business in Louisiana under a valid certificate of authority as of January 1, 1992, and who, on August 21, 1992, have at least one-half of their admitted assets invested in qualifying Louisiana investments as defined in R.S. 22:1068(c), shall have such assessment reduced by eighty percent of the amount otherwise assessed.

(iii) The association may exempt or defer, in whole or in part, the assessment of any member insurer if the assessment would cause the member insurer’s financial statement to reflect amounts of capital or surplus less than the minimum amounts required for a certificate of authority by any jurisdiction in which the member insurer is authorized to transact insurance. Each member insurer may set off against any assessment, authorized payments made on covered claims and expenses incurred in the payment of such claims by the member insurer.

(iv) Beginning January 1, 1990, the amount of the assessment shall be offset, in the same manner that an offset is provided against the premium tax liability in Paragraph (A)(3)(c) of this Section, against the assessment levied by R.S. 22:1419, provided that such offset shall not be applied against any portion of the assessments to be deposited to the credit of the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System, the Sheriff’s Pension and Relief Fund, and the Firefighters’ Retirement System. To qualify for this offset, the payer shall file a sworn statement with the annual report required by Part XXIII of Chapter 1 of Title 22 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 showing as of December thirty-first of the reporting period that at least the following amounts of the total admitted assets of the payer, less assets in an amount equal to the reserves on its policies issued in foreign countries in which it is authorized to do business and which countries require an investment therein as a condition of doing business, are invested and maintained in qualifying Louisiana investments as defined in R.S. 22:1068(C). If one-sixth of the total admitted assets of the payer are in qualifying Louisiana investments, then the offset shall be sixty-six and two-thirds percent of the amount otherwise assessed; if at least one-fifth of the total admitted assets of the payer are in qualifying Louisiana investments, then the offset shall be seventy-five percent of the amount otherwise assessed; if at least one-fourth of the total admitted assets of the payer are in qualifying Louisiana investments, the offset shall be eighty-five percent of the amount otherwise assessed; and if at least one-third of the total admitted assets of the payer are in qualifying Louisiana investments, then the offset shall be ninety-five percent of the amount otherwise assessed. If the total of the net premium tax liability and the assessment for the expenses of the Louisiana Insurance Rating Commission paid for the previous year was less than the offset allowed under R.S. 22:1382(A)(3)(c) for the previous year, the member company may reduce its assessment payment to the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association for the current year by that difference.

(b) The association shall issue to each insurer paying an assessment under this Act a certificate of contribution, in a form prescribed by the commissioner, for the amount so paid. All outstanding certificates shall be of equal dignity and priority without reference to the amounts or dates of issue.

(c) A certificate of contribution issued to a member company shall be offset against its premium tax liability in an amount not to exceed ten percent of the assessment for the year of assessment and not to exceed ten percent of the assessment per year for each succeeding year, not to exceed a total offset of one hundred percent for each assessment. During the calendar year of issuance of a certificate of contribution, and yearly thereafter, a member shall at its option have the right to show a certificate of contribution as an asset in the form approved by the commissioner at percentages of the original face amount approved by the commissioner, equal to the unused offset as of each such calendar year.

(d) Any sums acquired by refund, pursuant to R.S. 22:1382(B)(6), from the association which have theretofore been written off by contributing insurers and offset against premium taxes as provided above, and is not then needed for purposes of this Act, shall be paid by the association to the commissioner and by him deposited with the state treasury for credit to the general fund of this state.

(e) To the extent amounts have been written off under R.S. 22:1382(A)(3)(c) above, the provisions of R.S. 22:1390 shall not apply.

(f) Not subject the premium dollars paid to an insurer by any insured whose net worth exceeds twenty-five million dollars on December thirty-first to the assessment provided for in this Section for the next calendar year. An insured’s net worth shall include the aggregate net worth of the insured and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates calculated on a consolidated basis. An “affiliate” of the insured includes any person or entity who directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with the insured. “Control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the controlled person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise. The consolidated net worth of the insured and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates shall be calculated on the basis of their fair market values. Any insurer deducting the premium dollars from its assessment shall provide a net worth affidavit to the association from each insured whose premium dollars are being deducted together with a statement of the amount of premium dollars paid by such insured in accordance with procedures established by the association.

(4) Investigate claims brought against the association and adjust, compromise, settle, and pay covered claims to the extent of the association’s obligation and deny all other claims. On contradictory motion of the association, a court of proper jurisdiction and venue over the claim shall enter a formal order annulling any unsatisfied preinsolvency settlement, release, or consent judgment entered into by the insolvent insurer in its name or the name of the insured, upon a showing of fraud, ill practice, or where the settlement is clearly excessive, considering all relevant factors, including but not limited to coverage, liability, and quantum issues.

(5) Notify such persons as the commissioner directs under R.S. 1384(B)(1).

(6) Handle claims through its employees or through one or more insurers or other persons designated as servicing facilities. Designation of a servicing facility is subject to the approval of the commissioner, but such designation may be declined by a member insurer.

(7) Reimburse each servicing facility for obligations of the association paid by the facility and for expenses incurred by the facility while handling claims on behalf of the association and shall pay the other expenses of the association authorized by this Part.

(8) Annually submit the plan of operation to the commissioner of insurance in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 22:1383 and of this Part. Approval by the commissioner shall not be unreasonably withheld. If the plan of operation is disapproved in whole or in part, the commissioner shall provide written reasons as to each disapproved part, and the association shall resubmit the part of the plan which has been disapproved by the commissioner within thirty days thereafter. The preceding plan of operation shall remain in effect until such time as the revised plan is effective. Amendments to the plan of operation shall be submitted to the commissioner for approval within ten days of adoption by the association, and approval of amendments shall be in accordance with R.S. 22:1383 and with this Part except as otherwise provided in this Section.

(9) Annually promulgate policies and procedures which shall be incorporated into the plan of operation, which policies and procedures are designed to increase participation for minorities and women in contractual legal services entered into by such association.

(10) Annually promulgate policies and procedures relative to the appointment of all legal counsel which shall be incorporated into the plan of operation.

(11) Annually promulgate policies and procedures relative to a system of alternative dispute resolution of lawsuits and claims which shall be incorporated into the plan of operation, and implement such a system of alternative dispute resolution.

(12) Coordinate and work in conjunction with a special deputy commissioner designated and appointed by the commissioner of insurance, said deputy commissioner being charged with oversight and implementation of the provisions of this Part.

B. The association may:

(1) Employ or retain such persons as are necessary to handle claims and perform other duties of the association.

(2) Borrow funds necessary to effect the purposes of this Part. In connection therewith the association may agree to such terms and conditions as it deems necessary and proper, and the association may assign to the state or any agency or authority thereof, or to any private entity, the right to the receipt of assessments to the extent necessary to provide for the payment of bonds issued by the state or such agency or authority, or such private agency, for the purpose of providing for the repayment of such borrowings.

(3) Sue or be sued. The power to sue includes the power and right to intervene as a party before any court in this state that has jurisdiction over an insolvent insurer.

(4) Negotiate and become a party to such contracts as are necessary to carry out the purpose of this Part.

(5) Perform such other acts as are necessary or proper to effectuate the purpose of this Part.

(6) Refund to the member insurers in proportion to the contribution of each member insurer to the association that amount by which the assets of the association exceed the liabilities, if at the end of any calendar year, the board of directors finds that the assets of the association exceed the liabilities of the association as estimated by the board of directors for the coming year.

(7) As to any member insurer under rehabilitation or liquidation, and pursuant to a written plan of full or partial rehabilitation or liquidation jointly submitted by the commissioner through his counsel of record, which counsel is approved by the attorney general pursuant to the provisions of this Code, and the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association through its counsel of record, and subject to approval of the court in which such rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding is pending, which court must be satisfied that such plan is the most cost-effective method of dealing with the conditions creating the member insurer’s impairment or insolvency, and improving the condition and is in the best interest of the member insurer’s policyholders; and is in the best interests of the association, then the association may:

(a) Guarantee or assume, or cause to be guaranteed or assumed, any or all of the policies, contracts, or other obligations of such member insurer.

(b) Provide such monies, pledges, notes, guarantees, or other means as are proper to effectuate R.S. 22:1382(B)(7)(a), and to assume payment of the obligations of such member insurer pending acting under R.S. 22:1382(B)(7)(a).

(c) Loan money to such member insurer.

C.(1) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary and unless such other law is specifically excepted from this Section, the provisions of this Section shall supersede and prevail over any other law to the contrary.

(2) This Section shall not apply to R.S. 24:38(C) and 654.

D. In the event that the association pays a claim on behalf of an insured whose net worth exceeds twenty-five million dollars on December thirty-first of the year immediately preceding the date of the determination of the insolvency of the insurer, the association shall have the right to recover from the insured all costs incurred in the defense of said claim, including attorney fees, administrative costs, court costs, indemnity, settlement, or other defense costs. An insured’s net worth on such date shall be deemed to include the aggregate net worth of the insured and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates as calculated on a consolidated basis, as provided in R.S. 22:1379(3)(f). An insured for the purposes of this provision shall not include any state or local governmental agency or subdivision thereof.

A.(1) The association shall submit to the commissioner and the Senate Committee on Insurance and the House Committee on Insurance a plan of operation and any amendments thereto necessary or suitable to assure the fair, reasonable, and equitable administration of the association. The plan of operation and any amendments thereto shall become effective upon approval in writing by the commissioner; however, beginning on August 15, 1993 prior to the implementation of any new plan or any amendment to such new plan or an existing plan of operation, the Senate Committee on Insurance and the House Committee on Insurance may hold a hearing on such new plan or any amendments to a new or existing plan of operation. After a hearing, if any, the respective legislative committees shall either approve or reject the plan or amendment as presented. No plan or amendment shall be implemented if it was rejected by a legislative committee. If a hearing is not held within thirty days after receipt of the plan or amendment by such committees, then the plan or amendment may be implemented as approved by the commissioner.

(2) If the association fails to submit a suitable plan of operation within ninety days following September 1, 1970, or if at any time thereafter the association fails to submit suitable amendments to the plan, the commissioner shall, after notice and hearing, adopt and promulgate such reasonable rules as are necessary or advisable to effectuate the provisions of this Part. Such rules shall continue in force until modified by the commissioner or superseded by a plan submitted by the association and approved by the commissioner. All rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner under the provisions of this Paragraph shall have no effect until they are reviewed and approved by the Senate Committee on Insurance and the House Committee on Insurance.

B. All member insurers shall comply with the plan of operation.

C. The plan of operation shall:

(1) Establish the procedures whereby all the powers and duties of the association under R.S. 22:1382 will be performed.

(2) Establish procedures for handling assets of the association.

(3) Establish the amount and method of reimbursing the members of the board of directors under R.S. 22:1381.

(4) Establish procedures by which claims may be filed with the association and establish acceptable forms of proof of covered claims. Notice of claims to the receiver or liquidator of the insolvent insurer shall be deemed notice to the association or its agents and a list of such claims shall be periodically submitted to the association or similar organization in another state by the receiver or liquidator.

(5) Establish regular places and times for meetings of the board of directors.

(6) Establish procedures for records to be kept of all financial transactions of the association, its agents, and the board of directors. All such records shall be subject to review by the Senate Committee on Insurance and/or the House Committee on Insurance upon written request of the respective legislative chairman.

(7) Provide that any member insurer aggrieved by any final action or decision of the association may appeal to the commissioner within thirty days after the action or decision.

(8) Establish the procedures whereby selections for the board of directors will be submitted to the commissioner.

(9) Contain additional provisions necessary or proper for the execution of the powers and duties of the association.

D. The plan of operation may provide that any or all powers and duties of the association, except those under R.S. 22:1382(A)(3) and R.S. 22:1382(B)(2) are delegated to a corporation, association or other organization which performs or will perform functions similar to those of this association, or its equivalent, in two or more states. Such a corporation, association or organization shall be reimbursed as a servicing facility would be reimbursed and shall be paid for its performance of any other functions of the association. A delegation under this subsection shall take effect only with the approval of both the board of directors and the commissioner, and may be made only to a corporation, association or organization which extends protection not substantially less favorably and effective than that provided by this Part. Added by Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1; Acts 1993, No. 397, § 2, eff. June 3, 1993.

A. The commissioner shall:

(1) Notify the association of the existence of an insolvent insurer not later than three days after he receives notice of the determination of the insolvency.

(2) Upon request of the board of directors, provide the association with a statement of the net direct written premiums of each member insurer.
(3) Consult with the board of directors of the association, or with said board’s duly appointed committee, on all applications to do business in this state made by domestic and foreign insurers which are prospective member insurers and all applications for modification of existing certificates of authority to do business in this state made by such insurers, to determine whether such insurer is in such a condition that its transaction of business in this state would be hazardous to policyholders and creditors in this state and to the public, or that its transaction of business in this state or the modification of its present authority to transact business in this state would involve a substantial risk of a covered claim being made against the association under the provisions of this Part. In the event the association or such board’s duly appointed committee recommends in writing to the commissioner that a domestic or foreign insurer not be admitted to do business in this state or that the existing certificate of authority issued to such an insurer not be modified because one or more of the above cited conditions are deemed to exist, then in that event it shall be the duty of the commissioner to conduct a hearing on the application, giving the insurer at least thirty days notice of such hearing. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the Rules of Practice and Procedure before the commissioner of insurance and the Administrative Procedure Act of Title 22 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950. The association shall be notified of the hearing at least fifteen days in advance thereof, and shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to inspect all documentary evidence, to present evidence and examine witnesses if it so elects. Within thirty days after the termination of the hearing, the commissioner shall make his order thereon which shall in all respects comply with the provisions of R.S. 22:1359.

B. The commissioner may:

(1) Require that the association notify the insureds of the insolvent insurer and any other interested parties of the determination of insolvency and of their rights under this Part. Such notification shall be made by mail at their last known address, where available, but if sufficient information for notification by mail is not available, notice by publication in a newspaper of general circulation shall be sufficient.

(2) Suspend or revoke, after notice and hearing, the certificate of authority to transact insurance in this state of any member insurer which fails to pay an assessment when due or fails to comply with the plan of operation. As an alternative, the commissioner may levy a fine on any member insurer which fails to pay an assessment when due. Such fine shall not exceed five percent of the unpaid assessment per month, except that no fine shall be less than one hundred dollars per month.

(3) Revoke the designation of any servicing facility if he finds claims are being handled unsatisfactorily. Added by Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1. Amended by Acts 1976, No. 219, § 1. Amended by Acts 1979, No. 474, § 1.

A. Any person recovering under this Part shall be deemed to have assigned his rights under the policy to the association to the extent of his recovery from the association. Every insured or claimant seeking the protection of this Part shall cooperate with the association to the same extent as such person would have been required to cooperate with the insolvent insurer. The association shall have no cause of action against the insured of the insolvent insurer for any sums it has paid out except such causes of action as the insolvent insurer would have had if such sums had been paid by the insolvent insurer. In the case of an insolvent insurer operating on a plan with assessment liability, payments of claims of the association shall not operate to reduce the liability of insureds to the receiver, liquidator or statutory successor for unpaid assessments.

B. The receiver, liquidator or statutory successor of an insolvent insurer shall be bound by settlements of covered claims by the association or a similar organization in another state. The court having jurisdiction shall grant such claims priority equal to that which the claimant would have been entitled in the absence of this Part against the assets of the insolvent insurer. The expenses of the association or similar organization in handling claims shall be accorded the same priority as the liquidator’s expenses.

C. The association shall periodically file with the receiver or liquidator of the insolvent insurer statements of the covered claims paid by the association and estimates of anticipated claims on the association which shall preserve the rights of the association against the assets of the insolvent insurer. Added Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1.

A. Any person having a claim against an insurer under any provision in an insurance policy other than a policy of an insolvent insurer which is also a covered claim, shall be required first to exhaust his rights under such policy. Such other policies of insurance shall include but shall not be limited to liability coverage, uninsured or underinsured motorist liability coverage, or both, hospitalization, coverage under self-insurance certificates, coverage under a health maintenance organization or plan, preferred provider organization or plan, or similar plan and any and all other medical expense coverage. All entities that are prohibited from recovering against the association, as specified in R.S. 22:1379(3)(B), shall also be considered insurers for purposes of this subsection. As to the association, any amounts payable by such other insurance shall act as a credit against the damages of the claimant and the association shall be not liable for such portion of the damages of the claimant. In the case of a claimant alleging personal injury or death caused by exposure to asbestos fibers or other claim resulting from exposure to, release of, or contamination from any environmental pollutant or contaminant, such claimant must first exhaust any and all other insurance available to the insured for said claim for any policy period for which insurance is available before recovering from the association, even if an insolvent insurer provided the only coverage for one or more policy periods of the alleged exposure.

B. Any person having a claim which may be recovered under more than one insurance guaranty association or its equivalent shall seek recovery first from the association of the place of residence of the insured except that if it is a first party claim for damage to property with a permanent location, he shall seek recovery first from the association of the location of the property, and if it is a worker’s compensation claim, he shall seek recovery first from the association of the residence of the claimant. A claimant alleging personal injury or death caused by exposure to asbestos fibers or other claim resulting from exposure to, release of, or contamination from any environmental pollutant or contaminant, asserted against the association must either be a domiciliary of the state of Louisiana at the time of the exposure or allege that his exposure to asbestos or other environmental hazard, which is a substantial contributing factor to the physical impairment upon which the claim is based, occurred in Louisiana. Where more than one claimant is joined, each claimant must independently establish that Louisiana is either his domicile or place in which the alleged exposure occurred.

C. Any recovery under this Part by any claimant not a resident of the state of Louisiana at the time such claim arose, shall not exceed the lesser of the recovery allowed under this Part or that payable by the insurance guaranty association or its equivalent in the claimant’s state of residence. As to the association, any amount payable by such other insurance guaranty association or its equivalent shall act as a credit against the damages of the claimant, and the association shall not be liable for that portion of the damages of the claimant.

D. The association shall have no duty to provide a separate defense at its cost to an insured of an insolvent insurer as to any issue arising out of the coverage of this section. Added by Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1; 1983, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, § 6; Amended by Acts 1990, No. 130, § 1; Acts 1992, No. 237, § 2, eff. June 10, 1992; 1999 LA H.B. 1837.

Note.-- Pursuant to Acts 1992, No. 237, § 3:
“This Act shall apply to all covered claims, as defined in R.S. 22:1379, pending on or arising on or after the effective date of this Act.” The effective date of this act is June 19, 1992.

To aid in the detection and prevention of insurer insolvencies:

(1) It shall be the duty of the board of directors, upon majority vote, to notify the commissioner of any information indicating any member insurer may be insolvent or in a financial condition hazardous to the policyholders or the public.

(2) The board of directors may, upon majority vote, request that the commissioner order an examination of any member insurer which the board in good faith believes may be in a financial condition hazardous to the policyholders or the public. Within thirty days of the receipt of such request, the commissioner shall begin such examination. The examination may be conducted as a National Association of Insurance Commissioners examination or may be conducted by such persons as the commissioner designates. The cost of such examination shall be paid by the association and the examination report shall be treated as are other examination reports. In no event shall such examination report be released to the board of directors prior to its release to the public, but this shall not preclude the commissioner from complying with Subsection (3). The commissioner shall notify the board of directors when the examination is completed. The request for an examination shall be kept on file by the commissioner but it shall not be open to public inspection prior to the release of the examination report to the public.

(3) It shall be the duty of the commissioner to report to the board of directors when he has reasonable cause to believe that any member insurer examined or being examined at the request of the board of directors may be insolvent or in a financial condition hazardous to the policyholders or the public.

(4) The board of directors may, upon majority vote, make reports and recommendations to the commissioner upon any matter germane to the solvency, liquidation, rehabilitation or conservation of any member insurer. Such reports and recommendations shall not be considered public documents.

(5) The board of directors may, upon majority vote, make recommendations to the commissioner for the detection and prevention of insurer insolvencies.

(6) The board of directors shall, at the conclusion of any insurer insolvency in which the association was obligated to pay covered claims, prepare a report on the history and causes of such insolvency, based on the information available to the association, and submit such report to the commissioner. Added by Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1.

The association shall be subject to examination and regulation by the commissioner. The board of directors shall submit, not later than March thirteenth of each year, a financial report for the preceding calendar year in a form approved by the commissioner. The form established by the commissioner shall determine the association’s accounting method and basis of financial reporting for all purposes. Added by Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1; Amended by Acts 1997, No. 468, § 1, eff. 6-26-97.

The association shall be exempt from payment of all fees and all taxes levied by this state or any of its subdivisions except taxes levied on real or personal property. Added by Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1.

The rates and premiums charged for insurance policies to which this Part applies shall include amounts sufficient to recoup a sum equal to the amounts paid to the association by the member insurer less any amounts returned to the member insurer by the association and such rates shall not be deemed excessive because they contain an amount reasonably calculated to recoup assessments paid by the member insurer. Added by Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1.

There shall be no liability on the part of and no cause of action of any nature shall arise against any member insurer, the association or its agents or employees, the board of directors, or the commissioner or his representatives for any action taken by them in the performance of their powers and duties under this Part. Added by Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1.

A. All proceedings in which the insolvent insurer is a party or is obligated to defend a party in any court in this state shall be stayed for ninety days from the date the insolvency is determined to permit proper defense by the association of all pending causes of action. In addition, on ex parte motion or application by the association and for good cause shown, the court having jurisdiction over the proceedings incident to the liquidation of the insolvent insurer may extend that stay order for an additional ninety days.

B. As to any covered claims arising from a judgment under any decision, verdict, or finding based on the default of the insolvent insurer or its failure to defend an insured, the association either on its own behalf or on behalf of such insured may apply to have such judgment, order, decision, verdict, or finding set aside by the same court or administrator that made such judgment, order, decision, verdict, or finding and shall be permitted to defend against such claim on the merits.

C. In addition to any other requirement imposed by law, no judgment creditor shall attempt the execution of any judgment against the association without providing prior notice of its intent to do so. As a prerequisite of the execution of judgment, the executive director of the association or the chairman of the board of directors of the association shall be notified by certified mail, return receipt requested, not less than fifteen days prior to the execution of the judgment.

D. Any proration pursuant to R.S. 22:1382(A)(3)(a)(ii) shall apply to all covered claims existing as of the date the proration becomes effective, as well as the covered claims arising subsequently, including but not limited to settlements, agreements, consent judgments, and other judgments. Added by Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1. Amended by Acts 1990, No. 102, § 1; Acts 1991, No. 222, § 1, eff. July 2, 1991.

A. Advertisements which include a reference to the coverage or protection by the Insurance Guaranty Association are specifically prohibited.

B. As used in this Section, “advertisements” means any communication by print, television, radio, or other means for mass distribution of information.

C.(1) Whoever violates this Section shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars for a first offense, and not less than one thousand dollars nor more than two thousand dollars for a second offense.

(2) Conviction for violations of this Section as a second offense shall be grounds for suspension or revocation of the license of the violator by the commissioner. Added by Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1. Amended by Acts 1990, No. 260, § 1.

The provisions of this Part shall become effective on September 1, 1970. Added by Acts 1970, No. 81, § 1.