Virginia Law

Article 1. General Provisions.

This chapter applies to mutual assessment property and casualty insurers as defined in this chapter, and to insurance written by those insurers.

1952, c. 317, § 38.1-658; 1986, c. 562.

As used in this chapter:

"Mutual assessment insurance" means property and casualty insurance written by an insurer which has a right to assess its members for contributions and which is licensed pursuant to this chapter.

"Mutual assessment property and casualty insurer" means a company without capital stock that writes only mutual assessment insurance insuring property located in or protecting against losses of members who are residents of this Commonwealth.

Code 1950, §§ 38-523, 38-526, 38-529; 1952, c. 317, § 38.1-659; 1954, c. 161; 1960, c. 292; 1962, c. 172; 1974, c. 244; 1986, c. 562.

Mutual assessment property and casualty insurers licensed pursuant to this chapter may write mutual assessment insurance.

1952, c. 317, § 38.1-660; 1986, c. 562.

A. Any mutual assessment property and casualty insurer with surplus to policyholders of at least $25,000 may write the following classes:

1. Fire insurance as defined in § 38.2-110;

2. Miscellaneous property damage insurance as defined in § 38.2-111; and

3. Animal insurance as defined in § 38.2-116.

B. Any mutual assessment property and casualty insurer with surplus to policyholders of at least $100,000 may write the following classes of insurance, in addition to those classes enumerated in subsection A of this section:

1. Water damage insurance as defined in § 38.2-112;

2. Burglary and theft insurance as defined in § 38.2-113;

3. Glass insurance as defined in § 38.2-114;

4. Boiler and machinery insurance as defined in § 38.2-115;

5. Personal injury liability insurance as defined in § 38.2-117;

6. Property damage liability insurance as defined in § 38.2-118;

7. Marine insurance as defined in § 38.2-126;

8. Home protection insurance as defined in § 38.2-129;

9. Homeowners insurance as defined in § 38.2-130;

10. Farmowners insurance as defined in § 38.2-131;

11. Commercial multi-peril insurance as defined in § 38.2-132; and

12. Contingent and consequential losses insurance as defined in § 38.2-133.

The liability coverages specified in this subsection may be written only by insurers having a surplus to policyholders of at least $300,000 unless the coverages are fully reinsured.

C. Any mutual assessment property and casualty insurer with surplus to policyholders of at least $800,000 may write the following classes of insurance, in addition to those classes enumerated in subsections A and B of this section:

1. Workers' compensation and employers' liability insurance as defined in § 38.2-119;

2. Fidelity insurance as defined in § 38.2-120;

3. Surety insurance as defined in § 38.2-121;

4. Credit insurance as defined in § 38.2-122;

5. Motor vehicle insurance as defined in § 38.2-124;

6. Aircraft insurance as defined in § 38.2-125;

7. Legal services insurance as defined in § 38.2-127; and

8. Mortgage guaranty insurance as defined in § 38.2-128.

Code 1950, §§ 38-523, 38-526, 38-529; 1952, c. 317, § 38.1-659; 1954, c. 161; 1960, c. 292; 1962, c. 172; 1974, c. 244; 1986, c. 562.

A mutual assessment property and casualty insurer shall not insure real property outside the limits of the territory for which it is authorized to write insurance as specified in its charter or bylaws. However, members may be provided liability or other insurance on risks other than real property insurable under this chapter, wherever located. When members own real property near the border of the territory which extends in a contiguous manner beyond the territory, all of the property may be insured if otherwise insurable under this chapter, whether the property is within or without the territory.

Code 1950, §§ 38-526, 38-529; 1952, c. 317, § 38.1-661; 1986, c. 562.

No mutual assessment property and casualty insurer shall insure against any losses except as specified in this chapter. Any officer or agent who knowingly or willfully violates or who causes the insurer to violate this provision shall be fined in accordance with § 38.2-218.

Code 1950, § 38-541; 1952, c. 317, § 38.1-687; 1986, c. 562.

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, and except when the context otherwise requires, all the provisions of this title relating to insurers generally, and those relating to insurers writing the same class of insurance that mutual assessment property and casualty insurers are authorized to write under this chapter, are applicable to these insurers.

The provisions of §§ 38.2-1032 and 38.2-1035 shall not apply to mutual assessment property and casualty insurers.

Code 1950, §§ 38-505, 38-525; 1952, c. 317, §§ 38.1-91, 38.1-662; 1960, c. 289; 1966, c. 580; 1986, c. 562.

A. Any mutual assessment property and casualty insurer desiring to remove itself from the provisions of this chapter and desiring to become an insurer under the provisions of Chapter 10 (§ 38.2-1000 et seq.) of this title may do so by meeting the requirements of Chapter 10. The mutual assessment property and casualty insurer shall submit an application to the Commission showing that each requirement of Chapter 10 has been met. If the applicant does not meet the requirements of Chapter 10, the applicant may submit a plan that includes a schedule for meeting the requirements of Chapter 10. The schedule shall provide for compliance with those requirements within ten years of the approval of the application. For good cause shown, the Commission may grant, after informal hearing, an additional period in order to achieve compliance with the requirements of Chapter 10.

B. If the Commission approves the application, the insurer shall have all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of an insurer licensed under the provisions of Chapter 10 of this title.

C. Upon failure of the applicant to comply with the terms of the approved schedule, the Commission may require the applicant to adhere to the provisions of this chapter.

1986, c. 562.