§ 44308. Administrative
(a)
Commercial Practices.—
The Secretary of Transportation may carry out this chapter consistent with commercial practices of the aviation insurance business.
(b)
Issuance of Policies and Disposition of Claims.—
(1)
The Secretary may issue insurance policies to carry out this chapter. The Secretary may prescribe the forms, amounts insured under the policies, and premiums charged. Any such policy may authorize the binding arbitration of claims made thereunder in such manner as may be agreed to by the Secretary and any commercial insurer that may be responsible for any part of a loss to which such policy relates. The Secretary may change an amount of insurance or a premium for an existing policy only with the consent of the insured.
(c)
Underwriting Agent.—
(1)
The Secretary may, and when practical shall, employ an insurance carrier or group of insurance carriers to act as an underwriting agent. The Secretary may use the agent to adjust claims under this chapter, but claims may be paid only when approved by the Secretary.
(2)
The Secretary may pay reasonable compensation to an underwriting agent for servicing insurance the agent writes for the Secretary. Compensation may include payment for reasonable expenses incurred by the agent but may not include a payment by the agent for stimulation or solicitation of insurance business.
(d)
Budget.—
The Secretary shall submit annually a budget program for carrying out this chapter as provided for wholly owned Government corporations under chapter
91 of title
31.
(e)
Accounts.—
The Secretary shall maintain a set of accounts for audit under chapter
35 of title
31. Notwithstanding chapter 35, the Comptroller General shall allow credit for expenditures under this chapter made consistent with commercial practices in the aviation insurance business when shown to be necessary because of the business activities authorized by this chapter.