In the event a mutual insurer is merged, consolidated, or part of a reorganization under the procedures specified in this article, and the surviving, consolidated, or continuing company is an incorporated stock insurer, the plan shall provide for the manner of converting or exchanging the equity interests of current members in the domestic mutual insurer into shares, subscription rights, warrants, options, cash, dividends, premium credits, certificates of contribution, or any other interests that may be provided in the plan. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, the equity interest of a policyholder in the mutual insurer may be converted or exchanged solely into premium credits if the plan and agreement shall so provide, but only at the policyholder’s election. Any person holding a subscription note or other debt instrument evidencing a capital contribution to the domestic mutual insurer shall be entitled upon demand to have the note or debt instrument redeemed for cash or securities as provided in the plan. The plan may provide for additional securities to be sold to directors, officers, employees, and former members of the domestic mutual insurer in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 (commencing with Section 820) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 1. Nothing in this section shall preclude the issuance of different securities, subject to the approval of the commissioner, provided that comparable securities shall be issued at prices not less than the conversion or exchange values of any such securities distributed to current policyholders. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, conversion or exchange constitutes full payment and discharge of the members’ property interest in the domestic mutual insurer and the members have no other rights with respect thereto, except for rights relating to a continuing debt or equity interest that a former member holds in the surviving insurer.

(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 728, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 1996.)