AI-assisted research summary: This section says surplus lines insurance transactions are a matter of public interest and explains that they are regulated to provide orderly access, fair markets, and protection against unfair competition.
Sec. 981.001. PURPOSE. (a) An insurance transaction that is entered into by a resident of this state with an eligible surplus lines insurer through a surplus lines agent because of difficulty in obtaining coverage from an authorized insurer is a matter of public interest. (b) The transaction of surplus lines insurance is a subject of concern and it is necessary to provide for the regulation, taxation, supervision, and control of these transactions and the practices and matters related to these transactions by: (1) requiring appropriate standards and reports concerning the placement of surplus lines insurance; (2) imposing requirements necessary to make regulation and control of surplus lines insurance reasonably complete and effective; (3) providing orderly access to eligible surplus lines insurers; (4) ensuring the maintenance of fair and honest markets; (5) protecting the revenues of this state; and (6) protecting authorized insurers, which under the laws of this state must meet strict standards relating to the regulation and taxation of the business of insurance, from unfair competition by unauthorized insurers. (c) To regulate and tax surplus lines insurance placed in accordance with this chapter within the meaning and intent of 15 U.S.C. Section 1011 and 15 U.S.C. Chapter 108, this chapter provides an orderly method for each person whose home state is this state for a particular transaction to effect insurance with eligible surplus lines insurers through qualified, licensed, and supervised surplus lines agents in this state, if coverage is not available from authorized and regulated insurers engaged in business in this state, under reasonable and practical safeguards. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1419, Sec. 1, eff. June 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 595 (S.B. 951), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013.