Missouri § 375.1212 - Third party claims for actions against insureds, filed how — procedures.

§ 375.1212. Third party claims for actions against insureds, filed how — procedures.

1.  Whenever any third party asserts a cause of action against an insured of an insurer in liquidation, the third party may file a claim with the liquidator.

2.  Whether or not the third party files a claim, the insured may file a claim on his own behalf in the liquidation.  If the insured fails to file a claim by the date for filing claims specified in the order of liquidation or within sixty days after mailing of the notice required by section 375.1185, whichever is later, he is an unexcused late filer.

3.  The liquidator shall make his recommendations to the court under section 375.1218, for the allowance of an insured's claim under subsection 2 of this section after consideration of the probable outcome of any pending action against the insured on which the claim is based, the probable damages recoverable in the action and the probable costs and expenses of defense.  After allowance by the court, the liquidator shall withhold any dividends payable on the claims, pending the outcome of liquidation and negotiation with the insured.  Whenever it seems appropriate, he shall reconsider the claim on the basis of additional information and amend his recommendations to the court.  The insured shall be afforded the same notice and opportunity to be heard on all changes in the recommendation as in its initial determination.  The court may amend its allowance as it thinks appropriate.  As claims against the insured are settled or barred, the insured shall be paid from the amount withheld the same percentage dividend as was paid on other claims of like property, based on the lesser of the amount actually recovered from the insured by action or paid by agreement plus the reasonable costs and expense of defense, or the amount allowed on the claims by the court.  After all claims are settled or barred, any sum remaining from the amount withheld shall revert to the undistributed assets of the insurer.  Delay in final payment under this subsection shall not be a reason for unreasonable delay of final distribution and discharge of the liquidator.

4.  The liability of the insurer relating to liabilities incurred, but for which claims relating to such liabilities are not reported, accrued or claimed, shall be determined with reference to the provisions of this subsection.  In such an event, the amount of such liabilities shall be calculated, at their present value, by a panel appointed pursuant to this subsection.  The liquidator and the claimant shall each appoint one arbitrator, and the court shall appoint a special magistrate who shall preside over all proceedings under this subsection.  Thereupon, the panel shall hear and determine the amount of such liabilities pursuant to the procedures provided by sections 435.365 to 435.395.  Any party to the proceeding shall have all rights provided by sections 435.400 to 435.455 and the provisions of said sections shall be applicable to such proceedings.

5.  If several claims founded upon one policy are filed, whether by third parties or claims by the insured under this section, and the aggregate allowed amount of the claims to which the same limit of liability in the policy is applicable exceeds that limit, each claim as allowed shall be reduced in the same proportion so that the total equals the policy limit.  Claims by the insured shall be evaluated as provided in subsection 3 of this section.  If any insured's claim is subsequently reduced under subsection 3 of this section, the amount thus freed shall be apportioned ratably among the claims which have been reduced under this subsection.

6.  No claim may be presented under this section if it is or may be covered by any guaranty association or foreign guaranty association.

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(L. 1991 H.B. 385, et al. § 87)

---- end of effective  28 Aug 1991 ----

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