New Hampshire § 402-C-35 - Section 402-C:35 Assessments.

§ 402-C-35. Section 402-C:35 Assessments.

I. Report to Court. As soon as practicable but not more than 2 years from the date of an order of liquidation under RSA 402-C:21 of an insurer issuing assessable policies, the liquidator shall make a report to the court setting forth: (a) The reasonable value of the assets of the insurer; (b) The insurer's probable total liabilities; (c) The probable aggregate amount of the assessment necessary to pay all claims of creditors and expenses in full, including expenses of administration and costs of collecting the assessment; and (d) A recommendation as to whether an assessment should be made and in what amount. II. Levy of Assessment. (a) Upon the basis of the report provided in paragraph I, including any supplements and amendments thereto, the court may approve, solely on application by the liquidator, one or more assessments against all members of the insurer who are subject to assessment. The order approving the assessment shall provide instructions regarding notice of the assessment, deadlines for payment, and other instructions to the liquidator regarding collection of the assessment. (b) Subject to any applicable legal limits on assessability, the aggregate assessment shall be for the amount that the sum of the probable liabilities, the expenses of administration and the estimated cost of collection of the assessment exceeds the value of existing assets, with due regard being given to assessments that cannot be collected economically. III. Order to Show Cause. After levy of assessment under paragraph II, the liquidator shall petition the court for an order directing each member who has not paid the assessment pursuant to the order to show cause why the liquidator shall not have a judgment therefor. If a member of the insurer also appears to be indebted to the insurer apart from the assessment, the court, upon application of the liquidator, may also direct the member to show cause why he should not pay the other indebtedness. Liability for such indebtedness shall be determined in the same manner and at the same time as the liability to pay the assessment. IV. Notice. The liquidator shall give notice of the order to show cause by publication if so directed by the court and by first class mail to each member liable thereunder mailed at least 20 days before the date specified by the court in the order to show cause to his or her last known address as it appears on the records of the insurer. Failure of the member or subscriber to receive the notice of the assessment or of the order, within the time specified therein or at all, shall be no defense in any proceeding to collect the assessment. V. Orders and Hearings. (a) If a member does not appear and serve duly verified objections upon the liquidator upon the date specified by the court in the order to show cause under paragraph III, the court shall make an order adjudging the member liable for the amount of the assessment against him or her and other indebtedness, pursuant to paragraph III, together with costs, and the liquidator shall have a judgment against the member therefor. (b) If on the date specified by the court in the order to show cause, the member appears and serves duly verified objections upon the liquidator, the court may hear and determine the matter or may appoint a referee to hear it and make such order as the facts warrant. Any order made by a referee under this paragraph shall have the same force and effect as if it were a judgment of the court, subject to review by the court upon application within 30 days. VI. Collection. The liquidator may enforce any order or collect any judgment under paragraph V by any lawful means. VII. Assessment. (a) Any assessment of a subscriber or member of an insurer made by the liquidator pursuant to the order of the court fixing the aggregate amount of the assessment against all members or subscribers and approving the classification and formula made by the liquidator under this section shall be prima facie correct. (b) Any claim filed by an assessee who fails to pay an assessment, after the conclusion of any legal action by the assessee objecting to the assessment, shall be deemed a late filed claim under RSA 402-C:37.