Thursday, May 15, 2025

U.S. GENERAL COVER CONDITIONS

 

U.S. GENERAL COVER CONDITIONS

 

(LMA5058C, only to be used in conjunction with LMA Binding Authority Agreements)

 

 

 

(Specific provisions applicable to U.S. business, other than reinsurance, bound under this agreement.  These U.S. General Cover Conditions must be attached to and form part of any binding authority agreements (“Agreement”) in respect of U.S. business, including where the Coverholder is based outside the U.S. Please note that Conditions section (1)(a), (b), and (d) are not intended to apply to a Coverholder based outside the U.S. but instead describe the laws and responsibilities applicable to the U.S. brokers through which the Coverholder must bind excess and surplus lines business.)

 

To the extent that any provision in these U.S. General Cover Conditions contradicts or is necessarily inconsistent with any provision in the Agreement into which they are incorporated, the U.S. General Cover Conditions shall control.

 

 

TERRITORIAL EXCLUSIONS AND/OR LIMITATIONS

 

 

A)                  New York State

 

No New York business to be bound unless:

 

(i)                  the Coverholder named hereon is, or accepts properly exported business from, an excess line broker licenced in the State of New York; and

 

(ii)                the business is properly exported excess line (i.e. surplus lines) business, and

 

(iii)              if the Coverholder is a resident or non-resident excess line broker licenced in the State of New York, the Coverholder files with the Excess Line Association of New York (ELANY), at least ten business days prior to exercising the binding authority, a signed copy of the written Agreement between the Coverholder and Underwriters setting forth all terms, conditions, and limitations of the binding authority, including the following:

 

(a)                a description of the kind or classes of insurance which the Coverholder may bind;

 

(b)               the maximum dollar limits for any policy which the Coverholder may bind and/or a provision requiring the risk to be submitted to Underwriters;

 

(c)                the maximum policy period for which the Coverholder may bind;

 

(d)               the geographical limits upon the exercise of binding authority by the Coverholder;

 

(e)               the name and telephone number of the principal contact person for insurer(s); and

 

(iv)              the Coverholder files with ELANY a copy of any amendments to, or any notice of cancellation or termination of, the Agreement no later than ten business days after the adoption thereof; and

 

(v)                every certificate or other written evidence of an insurance contract issued under the Agreement contains the following information:

 

(a)                description and location of the subject of insurance;


(b)                coverage provided (by kind/class and limits);

 

(c)                conditions of coverage provided;

 

(d)                term (policy period) of insurance;

 

(e)                gross premium;

 

(f)                 name and address of excess line broker;

 

(g)                name and address of producing broker;

 

(h)                name(s) of insurer(s);

 

(i)                  name and address of insured; and

 

(vi)              the Agreement does not authorize the Coverholder to issue notice of cancellation of any insurance bound under the Agreement except for the following:

 

(a)                non-payment of premium;

 

(b)                material increase in the hazard insured;

 

(c)                discovery of a material misrepresentation in the application for insurance; and

 

(vii)            the Agreement does not include the authority to handle claims on insurance bound under the binding authority.

 

 

 

B)                  Illinois

 

No insurance is to be bound on an admitted basis.

 

 

 

C)                  Kentucky

 

No Kentucky business to be bound on an admitted basis.

 

 

 

D)                  US Virgin Islands

 

(a)  Until 31/12/2021:

 

No insurance is to be bound under Lloyd's U.S.V.I. licence covering risks or property resident, located, or to be performed in the U.S.V.I. unless:

 

(i)             the Coverholder is licenced through Underwriters' U.S.V.I. Attorney-in-Fact as a U.S.V.I.

Lloyd's agent to do business on behalf of Underwriters at Lloyd's, or

 

(ii)           if insurance is bound through a non-resident agent, such agent must be licenced as a non-resident agent by the U.S.V.I.

 

(b)  From 1/1/2022


No new risks are to be bound on an admitted basis. Coverage existing prior to 1/1/2022 may be renewed until 31/12/2023.

 

(c)  Surplus Lines

 

No U.S.V.I. surplus lines insurance is to be bound unless the Coverholder is licenced as, or accepts properly exported business from, a surplus lines broker licenced in the U.S.V.I.

 

 

 

E)                  Texas

 

With respect to any Texas business, Underwriters must reserve the duty of final underwriting review.

 

 

 

F)                  New Jersey

 

No New Jersey business to be bound unless:

 

(i)                  the Coverholder named hereon is, or accepts properly exported business from, a surplus lines agent licenced in the State of New Jersey; and

 

(ii)                if the Coverholder is a resident or non-resident surplus lines agent licenced in the State of New Jersey, prior to exercising the binding authority in New Jersey, the Coverholder files with the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of New Jersey the written Agreement between the Coverholder and Underwriters setting forth all terms, conditions, and limitations of the binding authority, including the following:

 

(a)                a description of the classes of insurance for which the Coverholder has binding authority;

 

(b)                the maximum dollar limitation on the binding authority of the Coverholder for any one risk for each class of insurance written by the Coverholder;

 

(c)                the maximum policy period for which the Coverholder may bind a risk;

 

(d)                the geographical limits upon the exercise of binding authority by the Coverholder;

 

(e)                if the binding authority is delegable by the Coverholder, a prohibition against the delegation without the prior written approval of Underwriters;

 

(f)                 a copy of any amendments to the Agreement and of any notice of cancellation or termination of the Agreement shall be filed by the Coverholder with the Commissioner no later than 10 days after adoption thereof.

 

 

 

G)                 Pennsylvania

 

No Pennsylvania business to be bound unless:

 

(i)                  the Coverholder named hereon is, or accepts properly exported business from, a producer who is licenced by the Insurance Department of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to place surplus lines insurance; and


(ii)                if the Coverholder holds a resident or non-resident surplus lines licence from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, prior to exercising the binding authority in Pennsylvania,  a written Agreement must be in force between the Coverholder and Underwriters setting forth the terms, conditions, and limitations governing the exercise of the binding authority by the Coverholder, including the following:

 

(a)                a description of the classes of insurance for which the Coverholder has binding authority;

 

(b)                the maximum dollar limitations on the binding authority for any one risk for each class of insurance;

 

(c)                the maximum policy period for which the Coverholder may bind a risk;

 

(d)                the geographical limits upon the exercise of the binding authority;

 

(e)                a prohibition against the delegation of the binding authority by the Coverholder or, if the binding authority is delegable by the Coverholder, a prohibition against delegation of the binding authority by the Coverholder without the prior written approval of Underwriters;

 

(f)                 a provision in the following or substantially similar language: "It is understood and agreed that all insurance placed pursuant to this agreement on risks resident, located, or to be performed in this Commonwealth, shall be effected and written in accordance with Article XVI of the Act of May 17, 1921, P.L. 682, No. 284 (40 P.S. Section 991.1601-991.1625)";

 

(g)                a provision that cancellation or termination of the Agreement may not affect the validity of an insurance binder or other instrument of insurance executed by the agent prior to the date of the cancellation or termination; and

 

(iii)             the Coverholder maintains an executed copy of the written Agreement between the Coverholder and Underwriters in its office in Pennsylvania, or home office if not applicable, and makes the copy available at all reasonable times for the examination by the Insurance Department without notice for at least 5 years following termination of the Agreement.

 

 

 

H)                 California

 

No California business to be bound unless:

 

(i)                  the Coverholder named hereon agrees that it shall:

 

(a)                not retain, use, or disclose Personal Information for any purpose other than on the Underwriters’ instructions from time to time when acting as a Service Provider or as otherwise permitted by the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”);

 

(b)                not sell, retain, use, or disclose Personal Information outside of its business relationship with the Underwriters;

 

(c)                not enter into any contract with sub-contractors who will process Personal Information directly or indirectly on behalf of the Underwriters without prior notification to the Underwriters, and the Coverholder shall include in any such


sub-contract provisions in favour of the Underwriters which are equivalent to those in this section;

 

(d)                [at no additional cost,]1 at or before the time the Coverholder collects Personal Information from the Consumer on behalf of the Underwriters, provide to Consumers the [Lloyd’s CCPA Privacy Policy]2 or a substantially similar privacy policy that has been approved by the Underwriters;

 

(e)                [at no additional cost,] at the Underwriters’ request, provide an updated CCPA Privacy Policy to Consumers;

 

(f)                 [at no additional cost,] provide a toll-free phone number for Consumers to exercise their privacy rights under the CCPA3 and one other method in accordance with the CCPA such as an email address or webform;

 

(g)                implement and maintain a policy and procedures that are acceptable to the Underwriters to respond to Consumer privacy requests and furnish such policy and procedures to the Underwriters upon request;

 

(h)                upon receipt of a Consumer privacy request, promptly forward such request to the Underwriters and consult with the Underwriters regarding the response to the request;

 

(i)                  [at no additional cost,] promptly respond to and fulfil Consumer privacy requests on behalf of the Underwriters in accordance with the requirements of the CCPA, the Coverholder’s policy and procedures for responding to Consumer privacy requests, and any instructions from the Underwriters; and

 

(j)                 upon fulfilment of a Consumer privacy request, update the Underwriters on the response and maintain records of the response as required by the CCPA and the Agreements.

 

“Consumer” for purposes herein means a California resident, as defined in Section 17014 of Title 18 of the California Code of Regulations, as that section read on September 1, 2017.

 

“Personal Information” for purposes herein means information that identifies, relates to, describes, is reasonably capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular Consumer or household.

 

“Service Provider” for purposes herein means (i) a legal entity operated for the profit or financial benefit of its owners, (ii) that processes information on behalf of the Underwriters, and (iii) to which the Underwriters disclose a Consumer’s Personal Information for a business purpose pursuant to a written contract that prohibits the retention, use or disclosure of such information

 

 

1 Note that the model Binding Authority Agreement already includes “at no additional cost” language.

 

2In conjunction with Lloyd’s and McDermott, Will & Emery LLP, the LMA has published LMA9191 as a model Lloyd’s CCPA Privacy Policy.

 

3 California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) requires that insurers provide a toll free contact number, for consumers to be able to exercise their privacy rights. This is an obligation that Underwriters will need to rely on their Coverholders for, so this number should be provided by the Coverholder on behalf of Underwriters. It is not required that the toll- free number be answered by a live individual.


for any purpose other than performing the services specified in the contract, or as otherwise permitted by the CCPA.

 

 

 

 

 

CONDITIONS

 

1.                  With the exception of licenced business in the US Virgin Islands until 31/12/2023 (after which date the following applies), the Agreement is conditional upon the Coverholder:

 

(a)                being and remaining licenced to transact business as an Excess/Surplus Lines Broker/Agent;

 

(b)                having paid the appropriate licensing fee for Excess/Surplus Lines Broker/Agents and having complied with applicable State bonding requirements for Excess/Surplus Lines Broker/Agents;

 

(c)                complying with all applicable laws and regulations respecting the placement of insurance with non-admitted insurers and the taxation of such placements; and

 

(d)                being responsible for the billing, collection and remitting of applicable excess/surplus lines and other premium taxes,

 

unless otherwise agreed with the Lloyd’s Delegated Authorities team in respect of conditions 1(a), (b), and (d) above.

 

2.                  The Coverholder shall not enter or permit others to enter into premium finance arrangements in the name of or on behalf of Lloyd's Underwriters. If the Coverholder or any other party enter(s) into a premium finance arrangement in respect of premium(s) for coverage procured under this cover, the arrangements shall be solely in the name and entirely for the account of the Coverholder or such other party and Lloyd's Underwriters will not accept responsibility for any such arrangement(s).

 

3.                  The Coverholder shall comply with any applicable unfair claims settlement practice laws and regulations concerning claims practices and adjuster licensing.

 

4.                  No Group Scheme, Association Coverage, Master Policy or any other form of mass merchandising programmes shall be bound without the prior written approval of all subscribing Lloyd's Underwriters.

 

5.                  The grant of authority to bind insurances and issue documents evidencing insurances bound shall not be delegated by the Coverholder to any other person, firm, company or any branch office. If any authority(ies) or responsibility(ies), other than those previously described, is(are) delegated to a third party(ies), any such delegation must be in writing and the Underwriters must be a party to the written contract of delegation to the third party(ies).

 

6.                  Unless Underwriters specifically agree to the contrary this binding authority will be automatically terminated in the event the Coverholder shall:

 

(a)                become the subject of voluntary or involuntary rehabilitation or liquidation proceedings;

 

(b)                become the subject of an action in bankruptcy;


(c)                make or propose any composition with its creditors or make any assignment for the benefit of its creditors or otherwise acknowledge its insolvency;

 

(d)                be merged with, acquired by or otherwise absorbed by any individual, corporation or other business entity or organisation of any kind unless agreed in writing by the Underwriters;

 

(e)                being a partnership, be dissolved by agreement between the partners or by operation of law;

 

(f)                 have any relevant licence to conduct business suspended, removed or impaired by any order or decree of any judicial or regulatory authority;

 

(g)                have imposed by a court of competent jurisdiction the appointment of an administrator or administrative receiver or equivalent office holder;

 

(h)                have a receiver or equivalent office holder appointed for the whole or any part of the Coverholder's business.

 

7.                  If the Coverholder shall fail to comply with any of the provisions of the Binding Authority, Underwriters reserve the right to cancel the Agreement at any time with immediate effect. The Underwriters shall give written notice of such cancellation and the Agreement shall terminate at the date specified in the notice.

 

8.                  In respect of non-moveable property business, the following shall apply.

 

The Coverholder shall not wittingly bind hereunder any U.S. Physical Damage Insurance or Reinsurance, whether renewal or new risk, effective on or after the 1st January, 1959, covering:

 

(a)                Any interest covered by A.N.I. or M.A.E.R.P. (the Stock Companies’ and Mutuals’ atomic pools).

 

(b)               Nuclear reactor power plants including all auxiliary property on the site.

 

(c)                Any other nuclear reactor installation including laboratories handling radioactive materials in connection with reactor installations, and critical facilities as such.

 

(d)               Installations for fabricating complete fuel elements or for processing substantial quantities of “special nuclear material” and for reprocessing, salvaging, chemically separating, storing or disposing of spent nuclear fuel or waste materials.

 

(e)               Installations other than those listed in (d) above using substantial quantities of radioactive isotopes or other products of nuclear fission (the Coverholder may bind other interests using radioactive isotopes provided the nuclear exposure is not the primary hazard).

 

(f)                 Property on the same site as a nuclear installation unless radioactive contamination is specifically excluded.

 

(g)                Any insurance which covers radioactive contamination as a named hazard.

 

N.B. For the general guidance of the Coverholder the term “special nuclear material” shall have the meaning given it in the U.S.A. Atomic Energy Act of 1954 or any law amendatory thereof. In case of doubt the Coverholder should refer to Underwriters before binding the risk in question.

 

LMA5058C

21 June 2021

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