Section 3-103 - Formation of domestic insurers.
§ 3-103. Formation of domestic insurers.
(a) In general.- A domestic insurer may be formed for insurance purposes under Title 2 of the Corporations and Associations Article.
(b) Mutual or stock insurer.- A domestic insurer may be formed either as a mutual insurer or stock insurer, as stated in its articles of incorporation.
(c) Members of mutual insurer.-
(1) Each policyholder of a domestic mutual insurer, other than a holder of a reinsurance contract, is a member of the mutual insurer, with each right and obligation of membership.
(2) Each policy shall state the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(3) Any person, government, governmental unit, state, or political subdivision may be a member of a domestic, foreign, or alien mutual insurer.
(4) An officer, stockholder, trustee, or legal representative of a member:
(i) may be recognized as acting in a representative capacity for or on behalf of the member for the purpose of the membership; and
(ii) is not personally liable on the insurance contract for acting in that representative capacity.
(5) A Maryland corporation may participate as a member of a mutual insurer incidentally to the purpose for which the corporation is organized.
(d) Voting by members of mutual insurer.-
(1) Each member of a domestic mutual insurer is entitled to one vote, or to the number of votes the bylaws provide, based on:
(i) the insurance in force;
(ii) the number of policies held; or
(iii) the amount of premium paid.
(2) Only the policyholder under a group policy is a member of the mutual insurer and is entitled to vote at the meetings of the mutual insurer.
(e) Number of directors.- The board of directors of a domestic insurer shall have at least nine members.
[CA §§ 6-503, 6-506, 6-507, 6-508; 1995, ch. 36.]