2015 Connecticut General Statutes
Title 38a - Insurance
Chapter 698 - Insurers
Section 38a-58d - Use of state as alien insurer’s state of entry. Requirements. Examination of trusteed assets. Revocation of license and liquidation of United States branch.

(a) An alien insurer may use this state as such insurer’s state of entry through a United States branch to transact the business of insurance in the United States by:

(1) Qualifying its United States branch as an insurer licensed to do business in this state in accordance with section 38a-41; and

(2) Establishing a trust account pursuant to a trust agreement, approved by the commissioner in accordance with subsection (c) of this section, with a qualified United States financial institution, as defined in section 38a-87, with funds in an amount not less than the minimum capital and surplus or authorized control level risk-based capital, whichever is greater, required to be maintained by a domestic insurer licensed to write the same kind of insurance. Except as provided in subparagraph (H)(i)(III) of subdivision (4) of subsection (c) of this section, such minimum amount shall be maintained in such trust account at all times.

(b) Prior to authorizing a United States branch, the commissioner shall require the alien insurer to:

(1) Comply with the reporting requirements set forth in section 38a-41;

(2) Submit an English translation, as necessary, of any of the documents required under section 38a-41; and

(3) Submit to an examination of its affairs at its principal office in the United States, except that the commissioner may accept an examination report of the insurance regulatory official of the country under which laws such insurer is organized.

(c) (1) The trust agreement required under subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section shall set forth the terms of such agreement in a deed of trust. Such deed and all subsequent amendments to such deed shall be authenticated in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner.

(2) No deed of trust or amendment to such deed shall be effective unless approved by the commissioner upon a finding that:

(A) Such deed or amendment is sufficient in form and conforms with applicable laws;

(B) The trustee or trustees of the trust account are eligible to serve as such; and

(C) Such deed or amendment is adequate to protect the interests of the beneficiaries of the trust. If at any time, after notice and hearing, the commissioner finds that the deed of trust no longer complies with the requirements for approval, the commissioner may withdraw such approval.

(3) The commissioner may approve modifications of or variations in any deed of trust, provided such modifications or variations are not, in the commissioner’s judgment, prejudicial to the interests of the residents of this state or to policyholders or creditors in the United States of the United States branch.

(4) The deed of trust shall contain provisions that:

(A) Vest legal title to trusteed assets in the trustee or trustees and their lawfully appointed successors;

(B) Require all assets deposited in the trust be continuously kept within the United States;

(C) Provide for substitution of a new trustee or trustees, subject to approval by the commissioner, in the event of a vacancy;

(D) Require the trustee or trustees to continuously maintain a record of the trusteed assets that is at all times sufficient to identify such assets;

(E) Require the trusteed assets to consist of cash or investments or both and accrued investment income if collectible by the trustee or trustees;

(F) Require the trust to be for the exclusive benefit, security and protection of the policyholders, or the policyholders and creditors in the United States, of the United States branch;

(G) Require the trust to be maintained as long as there is any outstanding liability of the alien insurer arising out of such insurer’s insurance transactions in the United States; and

(H) (i) Provide that no withdrawals of assets, other than income as specified in subdivision (5) of this subsection, shall be made or permitted by the trustee or trustees without the approval of the commissioner, except to (I) make deposits required by law in any state for the security or benefit of all policyholders, or policyholders and creditors in the United States, of the United States branch, (II) substitute other assets as permitted by law and at least equal in value and quality to the assets withdrawn, upon the specific written direction of the manager of the United States branch when such manager has been empowered by and is acting pursuant to specific or general written authority previously given to or delegated to such manager by the board of directors of such United States branch, or (III) notwithstanding the minimum amount required to be maintained under subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section, transfer assets to an official liquidator or rehabilitator pursuant to an order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(ii) The approval of the commissioner for a withdrawal of assets under this subparagraph shall not be required if the withdrawal is of trusteed assets deposited in another state and the deed of trust requires the written approval of the insurance regulatory official of such state for such withdrawal, provided the minimum amount required under subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section is maintained in the trust. The manager of the United States branch shall notify the commissioner in writing of the nature and amount of any such withdrawal.

(5) The deed of trust may provide that income, earnings, dividends or interest accumulations of the trust assets may be paid to the manager of the United States branch upon request, provided the minimum amount required under subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section is maintained in the trust.

(d) The commissioner may (1) examine the trusteed assets of a United States branch at the alien insurer’s expense, and (2) require the trustee or trustees of a trust account of such United States branch to file a statement, in such form as the commissioner prescribes, certifying the amounts and assets of the trust account.

(e) The commissioner may revoke the license of an alien insurer authorized to transact the business of insurance pursuant to this section or liquidate the United States branch if any trustee of a trust account of such United States branch violates or refuses to comply with any provision of this section.

(P.A. 14-123, S. 18.)

History: P.A. 14-123 effective June 6, 2014.