Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 33. INSURANCE AND INSURANCE COMPANIES

CHAPTER 3. DOMESTIC STOCK AND MUTUAL INSURERS

Part 2. Formation

Mutualization Of Stock Insurer

33-3-215. Mutualization of stock insurer. (1) A stock insurer other than a title insurer may become a mutual insurer under a plan and procedure approved by the commissioner after a hearing thereon.

(2) The commissioner shall not approve any plan, procedure, or mutualization unless:

(a) it is equitable to stockholders and policyholders;

(b) it is subject to approval by the holders of not less than three-fourths of the insurer's outstanding capital stock having voting rights and by not less than two-thirds of the insurer's policyholders who vote on such plan in person, by proxy, or by mail pursuant to such notice and procedure as may be approved by the commissioner;

(c) if a life insurer, the right to vote thereon is limited to holders of policies other than term or group policies and whose policies have been in force for more than 1 year;

(d) mutualization will result in retirement of shares of the insurer's capital stock at a price not in excess of the fair market value thereof as determined by competent disinterested appraisers;

(e) the plan provides for the purchase of the shares of any nonconsenting stockholder in the same manner and subject to the same applicable conditions as provided by Title 35, chapter 14, part 13, as to rights of nonconsenting stockholders, with respect to consolidation or merger of private corporations;

(f) the plan provides for definite conditions to be fulfilled by a designated early date upon which such mutualization will be deemed effective; and

(g) the mutualization leaves the insurer with surplus funds reasonably adequate for the security of its policyholders and to enable it to continue successfully in business in the states in which it is then authorized to transact insurance and for the kinds of insurance included in its certificates of authority in such states.

(3) This section shall not apply to mutualization under order of court pursuant to rehabilitation or reorganization of an insurer under chapter 2, part 13.

History: En. Sec. 460, Ch. 286, L. 1959; R.C.M. 1947, 40-4743; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 198, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 141, Ch. 575, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 232, Ch. 271, L. 2019.