A surplus lines agent must file specified policy documents with the stamping office by the 60th day after the later of the effective date or issue date, and must promptly file later substitutes, endorsements, and change memoranda.
Sec. 981.105. FILING WITH STAMPING OFFICE. (a) Not later than the 60th day after the later of the effective date or the issue date of new or renewal surplus lines insurance, a surplus lines agent responsible under Section 225.006 for the filing, reporting, collection, payment, and other requirements imposed by Chapter 225 shall file with the stamping office: (1) a copy of the policy issued; or (2) if the policy has not been issued, a copy of the certificate, cover note, or other confirmation of insurance delivered to the insured. (b) The surplus lines agent described by Subsection (a) shall also promptly file with the stamping office: (1) a copy of each substitute certificate, cover note, or other confirmation of insurance delivered to an insured; (2) a copy of each endorsement of an original policy, certificate, cover note, or other confirmation of insurance delivered to an insured; and (3) a memorandum from the agent informing the stamping office of the substance of any change represented by a document described by Subdivision (1) or (2), as compared with the original coverage. (c) The commissioner may assess a fee against an agent who files a surplus lines policy after the filing deadline specified by Subsection (a). (d) For an agent who files a surplus lines policy on or before the 180th day after the effective date or issue date described by Subsection (a), the amount of the fee is: (1) $50 for each late-filed policy if, in the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the policy is late-filed, the agent has filed not more than five percent of the policies the agent was required to file after the filing deadline specified by Subsection (a); or (2) $100 for each late-filed policy if, in the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the policy is late-filed, the agent has filed more than five percent of the policies the agent was required to file after the filing deadline specified by Subsection (a). (e) For an agent who files a surplus lines policy after the 180th day but before the 365th day after the effective date or issue date described by Subsection (a) and who, during the immediately preceding calendar year, filed not more than two percent of the policies the agent was required to file after the filing deadline specified by Subsection (a), the amount of the fee for the late-filed policy is $200. (f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, for an agent who not later than January 1, 2012, files a late-filed policy with an effective date before January 1, 2010, that, at the time the policy is filed, has not been listed in a previous late-filed policy report of the stamping office, the amount of the fee is $50 for each late-filed policy. (g) The assessment, imposition, or payment of a fee under this section does not establish a violation for purposes of Section 81.004, 82.051, 82.052, 82.054, 82.056, or 84.022(b)(3). (h) An agent who files a surplus lines policy after the filing deadline specified by Subsection (a) is subject to Chapters 81, 82, and 84 only if the agent: (1) fails to timely pay a fee assessed under this section; (2) files a surplus lines policy on or after the 365th day after the effective date or issue date; or (3) files a surplus lines policy after the 180th day but before the 365th day of the effective date or issue date, and in the calendar year immediately preceding the year in which the policy is late-filed, filed more than two percent of the policies the agent was required to file after the filing deadline specified in Subsection (a). (i) The department shall provide notice to each agent of the amount of fees assessed under this section during each calendar year not later than June 15 of the year immediately following the year for which fees are assessed, and each agent shall pay the assessed fees not later than the 30th day after the date of the notice. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1419, Sec. 1, eff. June 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 197 (S.B. 1806), Sec. 1, eff. May 28, 2011. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 920 (H.B. 1405), Sec. 2, eff. January 1, 2014. SUBCHAPTER D. SURPLUS LINES STAMPING OFFICE