58-29A-68. Obligation of association on claims against insolvent insurer--Deductible and maximum amounts. The association is obligated to pay covered claims existing prior to the order of liquidation, arising within thirty days after the order of liquidation, or before the policy expiration date if less than thirty days after the order of liquidation, or before the insured replaces the policy or causes its cancellation, if the insured does so within thirty days of the order of liquidation. The obligation shall be satisfied by paying to the claimant an amount as follows:

(1) The full amount of a covered claim for benefits under a workers' compensation insurance coverage;

(2) An amount not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars per policy for a covered claim for the return of unearned premium;

(3) An amount not exceeding three hundred thousand dollars per claim for all other covered claims.

In no event is the association obligated to a claimant in an amount in excess of the obligation of the insolvent insurer under the policy or coverage from which the claim arises. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, a covered claim does not include a claim filed with the association after the earlier of eighteen months after the date of the order of liquidation, or the final date set by the court for the filing of claims against the liquidator or receiver of an insolvent insurer and does not include any claim filed with the association or a liquidator for protection afforded under the insured's policy for incurred-but-not-reported losses. The association shall pay only that amount of each unearned premium which is in excess of one hundred dollars.

Any obligation of the association to defend an insured shall cease upon the association's payment, by settlement releasing the insured or on a judgment, of an amount equal to the lesser of the association's covered claim obligation limit, or the applicable policy limit, or tender of such amount.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, except in the case of a claim for benefits under workers' compensation coverage, any obligation of the association to any person shall cease when ten million dollars has been paid in the aggregate by the association and any associations similar to the association of any other state or states or any property/casualty security fund which obtains contributions from insurers on a pre-insolvency basis, to or on behalf of any insured and its affiliates on covered claims or allowed claims arising under the policy or policies of any one insolvent insurer. If the association determines that there may be more than one claimant having a covered claim or allowed claim against the association or any associations similar to the association or any property/casualty insurance security fund in other states, under the policy or policies of any one insolvent insurer, the association may establish a plan to allocate amounts payable by the association in such manner as the association in its discretion deems equitable.

Source: SL 2000, ch 247, § 15; SL 2004, ch 310, § 2.