South Carolina § 38-87-70 - Purchasing group and insurer subject to all applicable state laws; exceptions.

§ 38-87-70. Purchasing group and insurer subject to all applicable state laws; exceptions.

A purchasing group, including its insurer or insurers, is subject to all applicable laws of this State, except that a purchasing group, including its insurer or insurers, is exempt, in regard to liability insurance for the purchasing group, from any law that would:

(1) prohibit the establishment of a purchasing group;

(2) make it unlawful for an insurer to provide or offer to provide insurance on a basis providing, to a purchasing group or its members, advantages based on their loss and expense experience not afforded to other persons with respect to rates, policy forms, coverages, or other matters;

(3) prohibit a purchasing group or its members from purchasing insurance on a group basis described in item (2) of this section;

(4) prohibit a purchasing group from obtaining insurance on a group basis because the group has not been in existence for a minimum period of time or because any member has not belonged to the group for a minimum period of time;

(5) require that a purchasing group must have a minimum number of members, common ownership or affiliation, or certain legal form;

(6) require that a certain percentage of a purchasing group must obtain insurance on a group basis;

(7) otherwise discriminate against a purchasing group or any of its members; or

(8) require that any insurance policy issued to a purchasing group or any of its members be countersigned by an insurance agent or broker residing in this State.

HISTORY: 1988 Act No. 355, SECTION 1.