Section 402-C:44 Order of Distribution.
The order of distribution of claims from the insurer's estate shall be as stated in this section. The first $50 of the amount allowed on each claim in the classes under paragraphs II, V, and VI except claims of the guaranty associations as defined in RSA 404-B, 404-H, 404-D, and 408-B shall be deducted from the claim. Claims may not be cumulated by assignment to avoid application of the $50 deductible provision. Subject to the $50 deductible provision, every claim in each class shall be paid in full or adequate funds retained for the payment before the members of the next class receive any payment. No subclasses shall be established within any class.
I. Administration Costs. The costs and expenses of administration, including but not limited to the following: the actual and necessary costs of preserving or recovering the assets of the insurer; compensation for all services rendered in the liquidation; any necessary filing fees; the fees and mileage payable to witnesses; and reasonable attorney's fees.
II. Policy Related Claims. All claims by policyholders, including claims for unearned premiums in excess of $50, beneficiaries, and insureds arising from and within the coverage of and not in excess of the applicable limits of insurance policies and insurance contracts issued by the company, and liability claims against insureds which claims are within the coverage of and not in excess of the applicable limits of insurance policies and insurance contracts issued by the company and claims of the New Hampshire Insurance Guaranty Association, the New Hampshire Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association and any similar organization in another state. All claims under life insurance and annuity policies, whether for death proceeds, annuity proceeds or investment values, shall be treated as loss claims. That portion of any loss for which indemnification is provided by other benefits or advantages recovered or recoverable by the claimant shall not be included in this class, other than benefits or advantages recovered or recoverable in discharge of familial obligations of support or by way of succession at death or as proceeds of life insurance, or as gratuities. No payment made by an employer to an employee shall be treated as a gratuity.
III. Claims of the Federal Government.
IV. Wages.
(a) Debts due to employees for services performed, not to exceed $1,000 to each employee which have been earned within one year before the filing of the petition for liquidation. Officers shall not be entitled to the benefit of this priority.
(b) Such priority shall be in lieu of any other similar priority authorized by law as to wages or compensation of employees.
V. Residual Classification. All other claims including claims of any state or local government, not falling within other classes under this section. Claims, including those of any non-federal governmental body, for a penalty or forfeiture, shall be allowed in this class only to the extent of the pecuniary loss sustained from the act, transaction or proceeding out of which the penalty or forfeiture arose with reasonable and actual costs occasioned thereby. The remainder of such claims shall be postponed to the class of claims under paragraph VIII.
VI. Judgments. Claims based solely on judgments. If a claimant files a claim and bases it both on the judgment and on the underlying facts, the claim shall be considered by the liquidator who shall give the judgment such weight as he deems appropriate. The claim as allowed shall receive the priority it would receive in the absence of the judgment. If the judgment is larger than the allowance on the underlying claim, the remaining portion of the judgment shall be treated as if it were a claim based solely on a judgment.
VII. Interest on Claims Already Paid. Interest at the legal rate compounded annually on all claims in the classes under paragraphs I through VI from the date of the petition for liquidation or the date on which the claim becomes due, whichever is later, until the date on which the dividend is declared. The liquidator, with the approval of the court, may make reasonable classifications of claims for purposes of computing interest, may make approximate computations and may ignore certain classifications and time periods as de minimis.
VIII. Miscellaneous Subordinated Claims. The remaining claims or portions of claims not already paid, with interest, as in paragraph VII:
(a) Claims under RSA 402-C:39, II;
(b) Claims subordinated by RSA 402-C:61;
(c) Claims filed late;
(d) Portions of claims subordinated under paragraph V;
(e) Claims or portions of claims payment of which is provided by other benefits or advantages recovered or recoverable by the claimant.
IX. Preferred Ownership Claims. Surplus or contribution notes, or similar obligations, and premium refunds on assessable policies. Interest at the legal rate shall be added to each claim, as in paragraphs VII and VIII.
X. Proprietary Claims. The claims of shareholders or other owners.
Source. 1969, 272:1. 1975, 348:14. 1977, 499:1. 1998, 99:1. 2005, 248:5, eff. Sept. 12, 2005.