South Carolina § 38-75-350 - Application for coverage; issuance of policy.

§ 38-75-350. Application for coverage; issuance of policy.

(A) A person having an insurable interest in insurable property is entitled to apply to the association for coverage and for an inspection of the property. The application must be made on behalf of the applicant by a licensed broker or agent authorized by him. An application must be submitted on a form prescribed by the association and approved by the director or his designee. The application must contain a statement as to whether or not there are any unpaid premiums due from the applicant for fire insurance on the property. The term "insurable interest" as used in this section includes any lawful and substantial economic interest in the safety or preservation of property from loss, destruction, or pecuniary damage.

(B) If the association determines that the property is insurable and that there is no unpaid premium due from the applicant for prior insurance on the property, the association upon receipt of the premium, or a portion of it as is prescribed in the plan of operation, shall cause to be issued a policy of essential property insurance for a term of at least one year.

(C) If the association, for any reason, denies an application and refuses to cause to be issued an insurance policy on insurable property to an applicant or takes no action on an application within the time prescribed in the plan of operation, the applicant may appeal to the director or his designee and the director or a member of his staff designated by him, after reviewing the facts, may direct the association to issue or cause to be issued an insurance policy to the applicant. In carrying out its duties pursuant to this section, the director or his designee may request, and the association shall provide, any information the director or his designee considers necessary to a determination concerning the reasons for the denial or delay of the application.

HISTORY: Former 1976 Code SECTION 38-39-50 [1962 Code SECTION 37-777; 1971 (57) 744; 1972 (57) 2736; 1976 Act No. 460; 1978 Act No. 562] recodified as SECTION 38-75-350 by 1987 Act No. 155, SECTION 1; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 793; 2007 Act No. 78, SECTION 10, eff June 11, 2007, applicable to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006.