Michigan § 500.1103 - Credit for reinsurance as asset or reduction from liability; accredited reinsurer; trust fund; requirements; report to director; certified reinsurer requirements; obligation to arbitrate; trust agreement; list of reciprocal jurisdictions; suspension or revocation; hearing; recoverable assets; diversification; member of catastrophic claims association; definitions.
Full text of Michigan Michigan Compiled Laws § 500.1103 — Credit for reinsurance as asset or reduction from liability; accredited reinsurer; trust fund; requirements; report to director; certified reinsurer requirements; obligation to arbitrate; trust agreement; list of reciprocal jurisdictions; suspension or revocation; hearing; recoverable assets; diversification; member of catastrophic claims association; definitions., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 500.1103. Credit for reinsurance as asset or reduction from liability; accredited reinsurer; trust fund; requirements; report to director; certified reinsurer requirements; obligation to arbitrate; trust agreement; list of reciprocal jurisdictions; suspension or revocation; hearing; recoverable assets; diversification; member of catastrophic claims association; definitions.
(1) A ceding insurer is allowed credit for reinsurance as either an asset or a reduction from liability on account of reinsurance ceded only if the reinsurance is ceded to an assuming insurer that is authorized to transact insurance or reinsurance in this state or that meets the requirements of subsection (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), or (7). In addition, credit for reinsurance is allowed under this section only to the extent that it is consistent with any rules promulgated by the director under section 1106 regarding the valuation of reserve credits or assets, the amount and forms of security supporting reinsurance agreements, or the circumstances under which credit will be reduced or eliminated. For an assuming insurer that is licensed to transact insurance or reinsurance in this state or that meets the requirements of subsection (2), credit is allowed only for cessions of those kinds or classes of business that the assuming insurer is licensed or otherwise permitted to write or assume in its state of domicile or, for a United States branch of an alien insurer, in the state through which it is entered and is licensed to transact insurance or reinsurance.
(2) A ceding insurer is allowed credit for reinsurance ceded as either an asset or a reduction from liability on account of reinsurance ceded if the reinsurance is ceded to an assuming insurer that is accredited as a reinsurer in this state. An accredited reinsurer under this subsection is a reinsurer that meets all of the following requirements:
(a) Files with the director evidence of the reinsurer's submission to this state's jurisdiction.
(b) Submits to this state's authority to examine its books and records and bears the expense of the examination.
(c) Is licensed to transact insurance or reinsurance in at least 1 state or for a United States branch of an alien assuming insurer is entered through and licensed to transact insurance or reinsurance in at least 1 state.
(d) Files annually with the director a copy of its annual statement filed with the insurance department of its state of domicile and a copy of its most recent audited financial statement.
(e) Demonstrates to the satisfaction of the director that it has adequate financial capacity to meet its reinsurance obligations and is otherwise qualified to assume reinsurance from domestic insurers. An assuming insurer meets the requirement of this subdivision as of the time of its application if it maintains a surplus as regards policyholders in an amount not less than $20,000,000.00 and its accreditation has not been denied by the director within 90 days after submission of its application.
(3) A ceding insurer is allowed credit for reinsurance as either an asset or a reduction from liability on account of reinsurance ceded if the reinsurance is ceded to an assuming insurer that is domiciled in, or for a United States branch of an alien assuming insurer is entered through, a state that employs standards regarding credit for reinsurance substantially similar to those applicable under this chapter and the assuming insurer or United States branch of an alien assuming insurer meets both of the following requirements:
(a) Except for reinsurance ceded and assumed pursuant to pooling arrangements among insurers in the same holding company system, maintains a surplus as regards policyholders in an amount not less than $20,000,000.00.
(b) Submits to this state's authority to examine its books and records and bears the expense of the examination.
(4) Subject to subsection (19), a ceding insurer is allowed credit for reinsurance ceded as either an asset or a reduction from liability on account of reinsurance ceded if the reinsurance is ceded to an assuming insurer that maintains a trust fund in a qualified United States financial institution for the payment of the valid claims of its United States ceding insurers, their assigns, and successors in interest, the trust agreement complies with subsection (21), and the assuming insurer submits to the director's authority to examine its books and records and bears the expense of the examination. The assuming insurer shall report annually to the director information substantially the same as an authorized insurer is required to report under section 438 to enable the director to determine the sufficiency of the trust fund. The trust fund must meet all of the following requirements:
(a) For a single assuming insurer, all of the following apply:
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(b) For a group including incorporated and individual unincorporated underwriters, all of the following apply:
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(c) For a group of incorporated underwriters under common administration, all of the following apply:
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(d) The trust and any amendments to the trust must be established in a form approved by the commissioner of the state where the trust is domiciled or the commissioner of another state who under the trust instrument terms has accepted principal regulatory oversight of the trust. The trust instrument must provide that contested claims are valid and enforceable on the final order of a court of competent jurisdiction in the United States. The trust must vest legal title to its assets in the trustees of the trust for its United States ceding insurers and their assigns and successors in interest. The trust and the assuming insurer are subject to examination as determined by the director, and the assuming insurer shall bear the expense of the examination. The trust must remain in effect while the assuming insurer has outstanding obligations due under the reinsurance agreements subject to the trust.
(e) No later than February 28 of each year, the trustees of the trust shall report to the director in writing the balance of the trust and listing the trust's investments at the preceding year end and shall certify the date of termination of the trust, if a termination is planned, or certify that the trust does not expire before the following December 31.
(5) A ceding insurer is allowed credit for reinsurance ceded as either an asset or a reduction from liability on account of reinsurance ceded if reinsurance is ceded to an assuming insurer that does not meet the requirements of this section but only for the insurance of risks located in jurisdictions where the reinsurance is required by applicable law or regulation of that jurisdiction.
(6) A ceding insurer is allowed credit for reinsurance ceded as either an asset or a reduction from liability on account of reinsurance if the reinsurance is ceded to an assuming insurer that has been certified by the director as a certified reinsurer in this state and secures its obligations as required under this subsection. Certification requirements include all of the following:
(a) The director shall not certify an assuming insurer as a certified reinsurer unless the assuming insurer meets all of the following requirements:
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(b) The director may certify an association including incorporated and individual unincorporated underwriters as a certified reinsurer if the association meets all of the following requirements:
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(c) The director shall create and publish a list of qualified jurisdictions under which an assuming insurer licensed and domiciled in a qualified jurisdiction is eligible to be considered for certification by the director as a certified reinsurer. All of the following apply to the list of qualified jurisdictions:
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(d) The director shall assign a rating to each certified reinsurer, giving consideration to the financial strength ratings that have been assigned by rating agencies considered acceptable to the director pursuant to rule. The director shall publish a list of all certified reinsurers and their ratings.
(e) A certified reinsurer shall secure obligations assumed from United States ceding insurers under this subsection at a level consistent with its rating, as specified in rules promulgated by the director. All of the following apply to a certified reinsurer securing its obligations:
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(f) If an applicant for certification has been certified as a reinsurer in an NAIC-accredited jurisdiction, the director may defer to that jurisdiction's certification, and may defer to the rating assigned by that jurisdiction, and the applicant is considered a certified reinsurer in this state.
(g) A certified reinsurer that ceases to assume new business in this state may request to maintain its certification in inactive status to continue to qualify for a reduction in security for its in-force business. An inactive certified reinsurer shall continue to comply with all applicable requirements of this subsection, and the director shall assign a rating that takes into account, if relevant, the reasons why the reinsurer is not assuming new business.
(7) A ceding insurer is allowed credit when the reinsurance is ceded to an assuming insurer that meets all of the following conditions:
(a) The assuming insurer must have its head office or be domiciled in, as applicable, and be licensed in a reciprocal jurisdiction.
(b) The assuming insurer must have and maintain, on an ongoing basis, minimum capital and surplus, or its equivalent, calculated according to the methodology of its domiciliary jurisdiction, in an amount to be set forth in rule. If the assuming insurer is an association, including incorporated and individual unincorporated underwriters, it must have and maintain, on an ongoing basis, minimum capital and surplus equivalents, net of liabilities, calculated according to the methodology applicable in its domiciliary jurisdiction, and a central fund containing a balance in amounts to be set forth in rule.
(c) The assuming insurer must have and maintain, on an ongoing basis, a minimum solvency or capital ratio, as applicable, that will be set forth in rule. If the assuming insurer is an association, including incorporated and individual unincorporated underwriters, it must have and maintain, on an ongoing basis, a minimum solvency or capital ratio in the reciprocal jurisdiction where the assuming insurer has its head office or is domiciled, as applicable, and is also licensed.
(d) The assuming insurer must agree and provide adequate assurance to the director, in a form specified by the director pursuant to rule, as follows:
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(e) The assuming insurer or its legal successor must provide, if requested by the director, on behalf of itself and any legal predecessors, certain documentation to the director, as specified by the director in rule.
(f) The assuming insurer must maintain a practice of prompt payment of claims under reinsurance agreements, pursuant to criteria set forth in rule.
(g) The assuming insurer's supervisory authority must confirm to the director on an annual basis, as of the preceding December 31 or at the annual date otherwise statutorily reported to the reciprocal jurisdiction, that the assuming insurer complies with the requirements under subdivisions (b) and (c).
(h) This subsection does not preclude an assuming insurer from providing the director with information on a voluntary basis.
(8) The director shall timely create and publish a list of reciprocal jurisdictions that is published through the NAIC committee process. Both of the following apply to the director's list published under this subsection:
(a) The director's list must include a reciprocal jurisdiction that meets the conditions under subsection (27)(b)(
(b) The director may remove a jurisdiction from the list of reciprocal jurisdictions on a determination that the jurisdiction no longer meets the requirements of a reciprocal jurisdiction, in accordance with a process set forth in rules promulgated by the director, except that the director shall not remove from the list a reciprocal jurisdiction that meets the conditions under subsection (27)(b)(
(9) The director shall timely create and publish a list of assuming insurers that have satisfied the conditions set forth in subsection (7) and to which cessions must be granted credit in accordance with subsection (7). The director may add an assuming insurer to the list if an NAIC accredited jurisdiction has added the assuming insurer to a list of assuming insurers or if, on initial eligibility, the assuming insurer submits the information to the director as required under subsection (7)(d) and complies with any additional requirements that the director may impose by rule, except to the extent that they conflict with an applicable covered agreement.
(10) If the director determines that an assuming insurer no longer meets 1 or more of the requirements under subsection (7), the director may revoke or suspend the eligibility of the assuming insurer for recognition under subsection (7) in accordance with procedures set forth in rule.
(11) While an assuming insurer's eligibility is suspended, no reinsurance agreement issued, amended, or renewed after the effective date of the suspension qualifies for credit except to the extent that the assuming insurer's obligations under the contract are secured in accordance with section 1105.
(12) If an assuming insurer's eligibility is revoked, no credit for reinsurance may be granted after the effective date of the revocation with respect to any reinsurance agreements entered into by the assuming insurer, including reinsurance agreements entered into before the date of revocation, except to the extent that the assuming insurer's obligations under the contract are secured in a form acceptable to the director and consistent with section 1105.
(13) If subject to a legal process of rehabilitation, liquidation, or conservation, as applicable, the ceding insurer, or its representative, may seek and, if determined appropriate by the court in which the proceedings are pending, may obtain an order requiring that the assuming insurer post security for all outstanding ceded liabilities.
(14) Subsection (7) does not limit or alter the capacity of parties to a reinsurance agreement to agree on requirements for security or other terms in that reinsurance agreement, except as expressly prohibited under this section, section 1105, or section 1106 or other applicable law or rule.
(15) Credit may be taken under subsection (7) only for reinsurance agreements entered into, amended, or renewed on or after the effective date of the amendatory act that added this subsection, and only with respect to losses incurred and reserves reported on or after the later of the following:
(a) The date on which the assuming insurer has met all eligibility requirements under subsection (7).
(b) The effective date of the new reinsurance agreement, amendment, or renewal.
(16) Subsection (15) does not alter or impair a ceding insurer's right to take credit for reinsurance, to the extent that credit is not available under subsection (7), if the reinsurance qualifies for credit under any other applicable provision under this section, section 1105, or section 1106.
(17) Subsection (7) does not authorize an assuming insurer to withdraw or reduce the security provided under any reinsurance agreement except as permitted by the terms of the agreement.
(18) Subsection (7) does not limit or alter the capacity of parties to any reinsurance agreement to renegotiate the agreement.
(19) If the assuming insurer is not licensed, accredited, or certified to transact insurance or reinsurance in this state, the credit under subsection (4) is not allowed unless the assuming insurer agrees in the reinsurance agreements to both of the following:
(a) That if the assuming insurer fails to perform its obligations under the terms of the reinsurance agreement, the assuming insurer, at the request of the ceding insurer, will submit to the jurisdiction of any court of competent jurisdiction in any state of the United States, will comply with all requirements necessary to give the court jurisdiction, and will abide by the final decision of the court or any appellate court if there is an appeal.
(b) To designate the director or a designated attorney as its true and lawful attorney on whom may be served any lawful process in an action, suit, or proceeding instituted by or on behalf of the ceding insurer.
(20) Subsection (19) is not intended to conflict with or override the obligation of the parties to a reinsurance agreement to arbitrate their disputes, if the obligation is created in the agreement.
(21) The credit under subsection (4), (6), or (7) is not allowed unless the assuming insurer agrees in the trust agreement to all of the following:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions in the trust instrument, if the trust fund is inadequate because it contains an amount less than the amount required by subsection (4) or (6), or if the trust grantor has been declared or placed into receivership, rehabilitation, liquidation, or similar proceedings under the laws of its state or country of domicile, the trustee will comply with an order of the commissioner with regulatory oversight over the trust or with an order of a court of competent jurisdiction directing the trustee to transfer to the commissioner with regulatory oversight all of the assets of the trust fund.
(b) The assets will be distributed by and claims will be filed with and valued by the commissioner with regulatory oversight in accordance with the laws of the state in which the trust is domiciled that are applicable to the liquidation of domestic insurance companies.
(c) If the commissioner with regulatory oversight determines that the trust fund assets or any part of the trust fund assets is not necessary to satisfy the claims of the United States ceding insurers of the trust grantor, the trust fund assets or any part of the trust fund assets will be returned by the commissioner with regulatory oversight to the trustee for distribution in accordance with the trust agreement.
(d) The trust grantor waives any right otherwise available under United States laws inconsistent with subdivisions (a) to (c).
(22) If an accredited or certified reinsurer ceases to meet the requirements for accreditation or certification, the director may suspend or revoke the reinsurer's accreditation or certification. The director shall give the reinsurer notice and opportunity for hearing. The suspension or revocation must not take effect until after the director's order on hearing, unless 1 of the following occurs:
(a) The reinsurer waives its right to hearing.
(b) The director's order is based on regulatory action by the reinsurer's domiciliary jurisdiction or the voluntary surrender or termination of the reinsurer's eligibility to transact insurance or reinsurance business in its domiciliary jurisdiction or in the primary certifying state of the reinsurer under subsection (6)(f).
(c) The director finds that an emergency requires immediate action and a court of competent jurisdiction has not stayed the director's action.
(23) While a reinsurer's accreditation or certification is suspended, a reinsurance contract issued or renewed after the effective date of the suspension does not qualify for credit except to the extent that the reinsurer's obligations under the contract are secured under section 1105. If a reinsurer's accreditation or certification is revoked, credit for reinsurance may not be granted after the effective date of the revocation except to the extent that the reinsurer's obligations under the contract are secured under subsection (6)(e) or section 1105.
(24) A ceding insurer shall take steps to manage its reinsurance recoverable assets proportionate to its own book of business. A domestic ceding insurer shall notify the director within 30 days after reinsurance recoverable assets from any single assuming insurer, or group of affiliated assuming insurers, exceeds 50% of the domestic ceding insurer's last reported surplus to policyholders, or after it has determined that reinsurance recoverable assets from any single assuming insurer, or group of affiliated assuming insurers, is likely to exceed this limit. The notification must demonstrate that the exposure is safely managed by the domestic ceding insurer.
(25) A ceding insurer shall take steps to diversify its reinsurance program. A domestic ceding insurer shall notify the director within 30 days after ceding to any single assuming insurer, or group of affiliated assuming insurers, more than 20% of the ceding insurer's gross written premium in the prior calendar year, or after it has determined that the reinsurance ceded to any single assuming insurer, or group of affiliated assuming insurers, is likely to exceed this limit. The notification must demonstrate that the exposure is safely managed by the domestic ceding insurer.
(26) A ceding insurer that is a member of the catastrophic claims association created under section 3104 is exempt from subsections (24) and (25) for purposes of cessions to the catastrophic claims association.
(27) As used in this section:
(a) "NAIC" means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
(b) "Reciprocal jurisdiction" is a jurisdiction that meets 1 of the following conditions:
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Source: official Michigan text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan § 500.1103
What does Michigan Compiled Laws § 500.1103 cover?
Section 500.1103 ("Credit for reinsurance as asset or reduction from liability; accredited reinsurer; trust fund; requirements; report to director; certified reinsurer requirements; obligation to arbitrate; trust agreement; list of reciprocal jurisdictions; suspension or revocation; hearing; recoverable assets; diversification; member of catastrophic claims association; definitions.") is part of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the codified statutory law of Michigan. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
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Is this the official text of Michigan law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Michigan official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Michigan attorney.
How does Michigan § 500.1103 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Michigan can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
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