211 CMR, § 150.04

Current through Register 1529, August 30, 2024
Section 150.04 - Commissioner's Authority
(1) For the purposes of making a determination of an insurer's financial condition under 211 CMR 150.00, the Commissioner may:
(a) disregard any credit or amount receivable resulting from transactions with a reinsurer that is insolvent, impaired or otherwise subject to a delinquency proceeding;
(b) make appropriate adjustments including disallowance to asset values attributable to investments in or transactions with parents, subsidiaries or affiliates consistent with the NAIC Accounting Policies And Procedures Manual, state laws and regulations;
(c) refuse to recognize the stated value of accounts receivable if the ability to collect receivables is highly speculative in view of the age of the account or the financial condition of the debtor; and
(d) increase the insurer's liability in an amount equal to any contingent liability, pledge, or guarantee not otherwise included if there is a substantial risk that the insurer will be called upon to meet the obligation undertaken within the next 12 month period.
(2) If the Commissioner determines that the continued operation of the insurer licensed to transact business in this state may be hazardous to its policyholders, creditors or the general public, the Commissioner may, upon a determination, issue an order requiring the insurer to:
(a) reduce the total amount of present and potential liability for policy benefits by reinsurance;
(b) reduce, suspend or limit the volume of business being accepted or renewed;
(c) reduce general insurance and commission expenses by specified methods;
(d) increase the insurer's capital and surplus;
(e) suspend or limit the declaration and payment of dividends by an insurer to its stockholders or to its policyholders;
(f) file reports in a form acceptable to the Commissioner concerning the market value of an insurer's assets and provide a business plan to the Commissioner in order to continue to transact business in the state;
(g) limit or withdraw from certain investments or discontinue certain investment practices to the extent the Commissioner deems necessary;
(h) document the adequacy of premium rates in relation to the risks insured;
(i) file, in addition to regular annual statements, interim financial reports on the form adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or in such format as promulgated by the Commissioner;
(j) correct corporate governance practice deficiencies, and adopt and utilize governance practices acceptable to the Commissioner including but not limited to changing Board members and attending Board meetings; and
(k) notwithstanding any other provision of law limiting the frequency or amount of premium rate adjustments, adjust rates for any non-life insurance product written by the insurer that the Commissioner considers necessary to improve the financial condition of the insurer.

If the insurer is a foreign insurer the Commissioner's order may be limited to the extent provided by statute.

(3) An insurer subject to an order under 211 CMR 150.04(2) may request a hearing to review that order. The Commissioner shall issue a notice of hearing which states the time and place of the hearing, and the conduct, condition or grounds which are the basis of the order. Service of the notice shall be by hand, U.S. Mail or electronic medium.

Unless mutually agreed between the Commissioner and the insurer, the hearing shall occur not less than ten days nor more than 30 days after notice is served. The Commissioner shall hold all hearings under 211 CMR 150.04 privately, unless the insurer requests a public hearing, in which case the hearing shall be public. The Commissioner may open the proceedings or hearings or make public the information relating to the supervision of any insurer if the Commissioner deems that it is in the best interest of the public or in the best interest of the insurer, its insureds, creditors or the general public.

211 CMR, § 150.04