Wash. Rev. Code § 48.09.350

Current through 2024

Section 48.09.350 - Reorganization of mutual as stock insurer-Reinsurance-Approval

(1) Upon satisfaction of the requirements applicable to the formation of a domestic stock insurer, a domestic mutual insurer may be reorganized as a stock corporation, pursuant to a plan of reorganization as approved by the commissioner.

(2) A domestic mutual insurer may be wholly reinsured in and its assets transferred to and its liabilities assumed by another mutual or stock insurer under such terms and conditions as are approved by the commissioner in advance of such reinsurance.

(3) The commissioner shall not approve any such reorganization plan or reinsurance agreement which does not determine the amount of and make adequate provision for paying to members of such mutual insurer, reasonable compensation for their equities as owners of such insurer, such compensation to be apportioned to members as identified and in the manner prescribed in RCW 48.09.360. The procedure for approval by the commissioner of any such reorganization plan or reinsurance agreement shall be the same as the procedure for approval by the commissioner of a plan of merger or consolidation under RCW 48.31.010.

Approval at a corporate meeting of members by two-thirds of the then members of a domestic mutual insurer who vote on the plan or agreement pursuant to such notice and procedure as was approved by the commissioner shall constitute approval of any such reorganization plan or reinsurance agreement by the insurer's members.

(4) The following applies if a mutual holding company conversion occurs:

(a) On the effective date of a plan, all of the following shall occur:

(i) The converting mutual insurer becomes a converted stock insurer. The amended or restated articles of incorporation and bylaws of the converting mutual insurer shall be filed with the commissioner as part of the plan and shall become effective on the effective date of the conversion. The commissioner shall amend the certificate of authority of the converting mutual insurer on the effective date of the conversion;

(ii) All membership interests and rights in surplus of the converting mutual insurer are extinguished and the members of the converting mutual insurer become members of the mutual holding company in accordance with this chapter and the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the mutual holding company;

(iii) Any owner of one or more policies of insurance, other than a policy of reinsurance, issued by the converted stock insurer after the effective date of the conversion and, if permitted under the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the mutual holding company, any holder of one or more policies of insurance, other than a policy of reinsurance, issued by any other insurer that is a direct or indirect subsidiary or affiliate of the mutual holding company after the effective date of the reorganization becomes a member of the mutual holding company;

(iv) The mutual holding company or, if created, an intermediate stock holding company acquires and shall retain all shares of the voting stock of the converted stock insurer;

(v) The mutual holding company acquires and shall retain all shares of the voting stock of any intermediate stock holding company; and

(vi) A converted stock insurer continues the corporate existence of the converting mutual insurer. Except as provided in the plan, the conversion does not annul, modify, or change any existing license or other authority or any of the existing civil actions, rights, contracts, or liabilities of the converting mutual insurer. The converted stock insurer retains all property, debts, and choses in action and every other interest belonging to the converting mutual insurer before the conversion without further action needed. On and after the effective date of the conversion, the converted stock insurer may exercise all rights and powers conferred and shall perform all duties imposed by law on insurers writing the classes of insurance written by the converted stock insurer, shall retain the rights and contracts of the converting mutual insurer existing immediately before the conversion, and shall be subject to all obligations and liabilities of the converting mutual insurer existing immediately before the conversion, subject to the terms of the plan.

(b) Any intermediate stock holding company created at the time of reorganization to hold the stock of the converting mutual insurer shall be incorporated under chapter 23B.02 RCW and may engage in any business or activity permitted by chapter 23B.02 RCW.

(c) The converted stock insurer and any intermediate stock holding company may issue to third parties debt securities, stock other than voting stock, and voting stock if all of the following apply:

(i) No shares of stock representing a majority of the voting power of all issued and outstanding voting stock of either the converted stock insurer or the intermediate stock holding company, if any, are issued to third parties; and

(ii) A majority of the voting stock of the converted stock insurer is at all times owned by the mutual holding company or by the intermediate stock holding company, a majority of whose voting stock is held by the mutual holding company, and such majority interest in the converted stock insurer and any intermediate stock holding company is not conveyed, transferred, assigned, pledged, subjected to a security interest or lien, placed in a voting trust, encumbered, or otherwise hypothecated or alienated by the mutual holding company or by the intermediate stock holding company. Any conveyance, transfer, assignment, pledge, security interest, lien, placement in a voting trust, encumbrance, or hypothecation or alienation of, in, or on a majority of the voting shares of the converted stock insurer or the intermediate stock holding company in violation of this subsection (4)(c)(ii) is void in inverse chronological order as to the shares necessary to constitute a majority of such voting stock.

(d) Unless otherwise specified in the plan, the directors and officers of the converting mutual insurer shall serve as directors and officers of the mutual holding company, any intermediate stock holding company, and the converted stock insurer until new directors and officers are elected.

RCW 48.09.350

Amended by 2023 c 20,§ 8, eff. 7/23/2023.

1984 c 23 § 1; 1983 1st ex.s. c 32 § 1; 1947 c 79 § .09.35; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 45.09.35.