2023 Delaware Code
Title 18 - Insurance Code
Chapter 59. REHABILITATION AND LIQUIDATION
Subchapter I. General Provisions
§ 5911. Order of liquidation; domestic insurers; insolvent insurer's assets.
(a) An order to liquidate the business of a domestic insurer shall direct the Commissioner forthwith to take possession of the property of the insurer, to liquidate its business, to deal with the insurer's property and business in the Commissioner's own name as Insurance Commissioner or in the name of the insurer, as the court may direct, and to give notice to all creditors who may have claims against the insurer to present such claims.
(b) The Commissioner may apply for and secure an order dissolving the corporate existence of a domestic insurer or the United States branch of an alien insurer domiciled in this State upon the Commissioner's application for an order of liquidation of such insurer or at any time after such order has been granted. The court may order dissolution of the corporation upon petition by the Commissioner upon or after the granting of a liquidation order. If the dissolution has not previously been ordered, it shall be effected by operation of law upon the discharge of the liquidator if the insurer is insolvent. However, dissolution may be ordered by the court upon the discharge of the liquidator if the insurer is under a liquidation order for some other reason. Notwithstanding the above, upon application by the Commissioner and following notice as prescribed by the court and a hearing, the court may sell the corporation as an entity, together with any of its licenses to do business, despite the entry of an order of liquidation. The sale may be made on terms and conditions the court deems appropriate. The court may permit the sale of such corporate existence upon or after the granting of a liquidation order. The proceeds from the sale of the corporation shall become a part of the general assets of the estate in liquidation, and the corporate entity and its licenses shall thereafter be free and clear from the claims or interest of all claimants, creditors, policyholders and stockholders of the corporation under liquidation. If permission to sell the corporation is not granted prior to discharge of the liquidator, the court shall order dissolution of the corporation if the insurer is insolvent, and the court may order dissolution of the corporation if the insurer is under a liquidation order for some other reason.
(c) (1) Within 120 days of a final determination of insolvency of a company, the Commissioner shall apply for a proposed order to disburse assets out of such company's marshalled assets, from time to time as such assets become available to the Delaware Insurance Guaranty Association and to any entity or person performing a similar function in another jurisdiction having substantially the same provisions of law.
(2) Such proposed order shall at least include provision for:
a. Reserving amounts for the payment of expenses to administration and the payment of claims of secured creditors (to the extent the value of the security held) and claims falling within the priorities established in §§ 5915-5919, 5924-5927 and 5929 of this title;
b. Disbursement of the assets marshalled to date and subsequent disbursements of assets as they become available;
c. Equitable allocation disbursements to the Delaware Insurance Guaranty Association and similar entities entitled thereto;
d. The securing by the Commissioner as receiver in each of the associations entitled to disbursement pursuant to this section of an agreement to return to the receiver such assets previously disbursed as may be required to pay claims of secured creditors and claims falling within the priorities established in §§ 5915-5919, 5924-5927 and 5929 of this title in accordance with such priorities. No bond shall be required of any such association;
e. A full report to be made by the association to the receiver accounting for all assets so disbursed to the association, all disbursements made therefrom, any interest earned by the association on such assets and any matter as the court may direct.
(3) The Commissioner's proposed order shall provide for disbursements to the Delaware Insurance Guaranty Association and any entity or person performing a similar function in another jurisdiction in amounts estimated at least equal to the claim payments made or to be made thereby for which such associations could assert a claim against the Commissioner as receiver, and shall further provide that if the assets available for disbursement from time to time do not equal nor exceed the amount of such claim payments made or to be made by the Delaware Insurance Guaranty Association in a similar entity in another jurisdiction, then disbursements shall be in the amount of available assets.
(4) Notice of such proposed order shall be given to the Delaware Insurance Guaranty Association and the commissioners of insurance of each state and the District of Columbia. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given when deposited in the United States certified mails, first-class postage prepaid, at least 30 days prior to the submission of such application to the court. Action on the proposed order may be taken by the court provided the above required notice has been given and provided further that the Commissioner's proposed order complies with paragraphs (c)(2)a. and d. of this section.