§116.  Methods of acquiring surplus

The initial minimum sum required may be raised by the insurer in either of the following manners:

(1)  By payment in advance of premiums by persons who desire to become policyholders and members of the mutual insurer.  Such payments must be made in cash, and all sums so received shall be delivered in escrow to a depository satisfactory to the commissioner of insurance under an escrow agreement providing that the organizers or promoters of the mutual insurer shall not be entitled to withdraw such sums so deposited in escrow until sufficient initial minimum surplus shall have been raised within the prescribed period of time as provided by R.S. 22:115, and further containing a provision that in case sufficient funds have not been raised within the said prescribed period, all funds so deposited in escrow shall be refunded to the advance premium payors by the escrow agent.

(2)  The mutual insurer may borrow a sum of money sufficient to defray the reasonable expenses of its organization and to meet the requirements of R.S. 22:111 upon an agreement with the lender that the same, with interest at a rate not exceeding eight percent per annum, shall be repaid only in the event that after such repayment with interest, the insurer shall be left possessed of sufficient assets to meet all of its liabilities and to maintain a full reserve against all its policies and to maintain the minimum surplus required by R.S. 22:111.  Such agreement shall provide that the insurer shall have the option to make such payment of the loan or any part thereof whenever it shall be able to do so in accordance with the requirements of this Section.

Acts 1958, No. 125.  Amended by Acts 1962, No. 48, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 22:124 by Acts 2008, No. 415, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 503, §1.