Reinsurance Agreement #196731 US-09
Swiss Re Life & Health
Reinsurance Agreement #196731 US-09
This Automatic Self Administered YRT Reinsurance Agreement Effective October 1, 2008
(hereinafter referred to as the "Agreement")
is made between
Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company
an Ohio insurance company
(hereinafter referred to as the "Company")
and
Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc.
Ili
a Connecticut insurance company (hereinafter referred to as the "Reinsurer")
Table of Contents
Article 1
1.1 General
1.2 Scope of Coverage
Article 2
2.1 Automatic Reinsurance
2.2 Facultative Reinsurance
Article 3
3.1 Automatic Submissions
3.2 Facultative Submissions
Article 4
4.1Commencement of Automatic Reinsurance Liability
4.2Commencement of Facultative Reinsurance Liability
4,3Conditional Receipt or Temporary Insurance Agreement Liability
Article 5
5.1 Premium Accounting
5.2 Currency
5.3Non-Payment of Premiums
Article 6
6.1 Right of Offset
Article 7
7.1 Conversions
7.2 Policy Changes
7.3 Reductions
7.4 Lapses
7.5 Reinstatements
7.6 Reinsurance Limits
Article 8
8.1 Retention Limit Change
8.2 Recapture
8.3Waiver of Premium Claims
Article 9
9.1Claims Notice and Consultation
9.2 Claims Payment
9.3 Claims Practices
9.4 Contested Claims
9.5 Claims Expenses
9.6Extra Contractual Obligations
9.7Misstatement of Age or Sex
10.1Errors and Omissions in Administration of Reinsurance
10.2 Dispute Resolution
10.3 Arbitration
10.4 Expedited Dispute Resolution Process
Article 11
11.1 Insolvency
Article 12
12.1 DAC Tax Election 12.2 Taxes and Expenses
Article 13
13.1 Entire Agreement 13.2 Inspection of Records 13.3 Utmost Good Faith 13.4 Confidentiality
Article 14
14.1 Representations and Warranties
Article 15
15.1Business Continuity
Article 16
16.1 Duration of Agreement
16.2 Severability 16.3 Construction 16.4 Credit for Reinsurance
16.5 Non-Waiver 16.6 Retrocession 16.7 Governing Law 16.3 Interest
16.9 Medical Information Bureau
16.10 Notice
16.11 Counterparts
Execution Exhibits
A Business Covered
A-1 Business Guidelines
A-2Facultative Submissions
BReinsurance Application
B-1Fac Easy Application
C General Terms
C-1Rates and Terms for Specific Plans
DThe Company's Retention Limits
EAutomatic Acceptance and Per Location Limits
FReinsurance Reports
Article 1
1.1 General
This Agreement is an indemnity reinsurance agreement solely between the Company and the Reinsurer, The acceptance of risks under this Agreement by the Reinsurer will create no right or legal relation between the Reinsurer and the insured, owner, beneficiary, or assignee of any insurance policy of the Company.
This Agreement will be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns including any rehabilitator, conservator, liquidator or statutory successor of either party. Neither party may effect any novation of this Agreement without the other party's prior written consent.
Day or days, when used in this Agreement, will mean calendar days.
1.2Scope of Coverage
This Agreement applies to all directly issued insurance policies and supplemental benefits and riders listed in Exhibit A (hereinafter referred to as "policies" or "policy") and issued in a jurisdiction in which the Company is properly licensed. On and after the effective date of
this Agreement, the Company will cede and the Reinsurer will accept its share of the benefits specified in Exhibit A in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The policies accepted by the Reinsurer will be hereinafter referred to as "Reinsured Policies."
The Company may not reinsure the retained amounts specified in Exhibit D on any basis without the Reinsurer's prior written consent.
This Agreement does not cover the following unless specified elsewhere:
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a)
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Noncontractual conversions, replacements, exchanges or group conversions; or
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b)
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Policies issued under a program where full current evidence of insurability consistent with the amount of insurance is not obtained, or where conventional selection criteria are not applied in underwriting the risk; or
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c)
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Any conversion of a previously issued policy that had been reinsured with
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another reinsurer.
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Each Reinsured Policy must provide for the maximum periods of suicide and contestability protection permitted by applicable law, Each Reinsured Policy must also provide for the maximum period of suicide protection permitted by applicable law, unless a shorter period is explicitly allowed by the Company's underwriting guidelines. The Company will notify the Reinsurer of any changes in the underwriting guidelines, as specified in Article 15.1, Business Continuity.
Article 2
2.1Automatic Reinsurance
The Company will automatically cede and the Reinsurer will automatically accept its share of the Company's policies provided that, to the best of the Company's knowledge:
a)The Company has retained on each life the amount set out in Exhibit D according to
the age and mortality rating at the time of underwriting; and
b}The total of the new ultimate face amount of reinsurance required, including any
contractual increases and the amount already reinsured on that life under this Agreement and all other life agreements between the Reinsurer and the Company covering business written on an Employer Sponsored plan issued on any underwriting basis, does not exceed the Automatic Acceptance and Per Location Limits set out in Exhibit E; and
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c)
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The total new ultimate face amount of insurance, including any contractual increases on that life in force with all companies, including the Company, does not exceed the In Force Limits set out in Exhibit E; and
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d)
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The application is on a life for which the current or any previous application had not been submitted by the Company on a facultative basis to the Reinsurer or any other reinsurer within the last five years, unless the reason for the previous facultative submission was for exceeding Automatic Acceptance Limits or exceeding In Force Limits and no longer applies; and
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e)
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The Policy is not purchased as part of a premium financing program or third party investment program, unless such programs have been approved in writing by the Reinsurer; and
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f)
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The policy does not cover any lives employed within the geographical boundaries of
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the borough of Manhattan, New York.
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For purposes of this Agreement, the term "location" shall mean any one or more structures within a one mile radius of any building that serves as the place of employment of any insured at the time a Reinsured Policy is issued.
For purposes of this Article, "ultimate face amount" will mean, to the best of the Company's knowledge, the projected maximum face amount at the time of underwriting, including any contractual increases, that could be reached based on reasonable assumptions made about the policy.
If the Company is already on the risk for its retention under previously issued policies, the Reinsurer will automatically accept reinsurance for newly issued policies according to the limits set out in Exhibit E, provided the Company has complied with the business guidelines specified in Exhibit A-1 #hereinafter the "Business Guidelines") that would have applied if the new policy had been fully retained by the Company.
2.2Facultative Reinsurance
Policies that do not qualify for automatic reinsurance hereunder may be submitted to the Reinsurer on a facultative basis. Additionally, policies that qualify for automatic reinsurance may be submitted to the Reinsurer for facultative consideration. if a policy that qualifies for automatic reinsurance is submitted to the Reinsurer or other reinsurers for consideration, the policy will be treated as if proposed on a facultative basis.
Article 3
3.1Automatic Submissions
The Company will report Reinsured Policies ceded automatically to the Reinsurer according to the terms specified in Exhibit F.
Upon request, the Company will provide the Reinsurer copies of the application, underwriting papers and other information pertaining to any automatic cession under this Agreement.
3.2Facultative Submissions
Applications for reinsurance on a facultative basis will be made in accordance with Exhibit A-2. Unless the Reinsurer provides written consent to an extension, the Company
will have the number of days specified in Exhibit A-2 from the date of the Reinsurer's final offer in which to place the policy with the insured/owner, after which the Reinsurer's offer will expire without further notice or obligation.
The terms of this Agreement will apply to each accepted facultative offer, unless the offer specifies different terms.
Article 4
4.1Commencement of Automatic Reinsurance Liability
The Reinsurer's liability for any Reinsured Policy accepted automatically will begin simultaneously with the Company's contractual liability for that policy.
4.2Commencement of Facultative Reinsurance Liability
The Reinsurer's liability for facultative reinsurance will begin simultaneously with the Company's contractual liability if the Company has accepted, during the lifetime of the
insured, the Reinsurer's offer of coverage. However, the Reinsurer will be bound to facultative policies that are placed with the Reinsurer by the Company in accordance with the Company's reasonably documented facultative acceptance procedures.
The Reinsurer will have no liability for any application submitted for facultative consideration if the Reinsurer declined facultative coverage or made an offer of coverage
that was not accepted by the Company as required by the terms of this Agreement.
4.3Conditional Receipt or Temporary Insurance Agreement Liability
Automatic reinsurance coverage provided by the Reinsurer for the Company's conditional receipt or temporary insurance agreement will begin simultaneously with the Company's
contractual liability and is limited to the Reinsurer's share, as shown in Exhibit A, of amounts accepted within the Company's usual cash-with-application procedures for temporary coverage, up to the limits shown in Exhibit E.
For facultative applications submitted to the Reinsurer, the Reinsurer's liability under a conditional receipt or a temporary insurance agreement will begin simultaneously with the Company's contractual liability if the Reinsurer has received notice from the Company that the Reinsurer's facultative offer has been accepted. The Reinsurer's liability is limited to its share, as shown in Exhibit A, of amounts accepted within the Company's usual cash-with-
application procedures for temporary coverage, up to the limits shown in Exhibit E.
If the proposed insured dies prior to the completion of the underwriting process, the Reinsurer will continue underwriting the risk to determine if a facultative offer would have been made on the risk. If so, the Reinsurer will accept liability for the risk, subject to the limits specified in the paragraph above.
The Reinsurer has no liability for facultative applications that the Company has not submitted to the Reinsurer.
Article 5
5.1Premium Accounting
The Company will pay the Reinsurer premiums in accordance with the terms specified in Exhibit C-1.
The method and requirements for reporting and remitting premiums are specified in Exhibit F.
5.2Currency
All payments due under this Agreement will be made in U.S. Dollars.
5.3Non-Payment of Premiums
The payment of reinsurance premiums is a condition to the liability of the Reinsurer for reinsurance provided by this Agreement. If reinsurance premiums are not paid within 60 days of the due date, the Reinsurer may terminate reinsurance for all Reinsured Policies having reinsurance premiums in arrears. If the Reinsurer elects to terminate any Reinsured Policies after such 60 day period, it will then give the Company at least 15 days' prior written notice of its intention to terminate such reinsurance. If all reinsurance premiums in arrears, including any which may become in arrears during such 15 day notice period, are not paid before the end of the notice period, the Reinsurer's obligations for those Reinsured Policies will be limited to obligations relating to events arising on or before the fast date for which reinsurance premiums have been paid in full for each Reinsured Policy.
If reinsurance is terminated according to this Article, unearned premiums, net of outstanding balances, will be paid by the party with the positive balance.
The Reinsurer's right to terminate reinsurance will not prejudice its right to collect premiums, and applicable interest as specified in Exhibit C, for the period reinsurance was in force, through and including the 15 day notice period.
The Company may not force termination through the non-payment of reinsurance premiums to avoid the Agreement's requirements or to transfer the Reinsured Policies to another party.
Article 6
6.1Right of Offset
The Company and the Reinsurer will have the right to offset any undisputed balances, whether on account of premiums, allowances, credits, claims or otherwise due from one
party to the other under this Agreement or under any other reinsurance agreement between the Company and the Reinsurer.
The rights provided under this Article are in addition to any rights of offset that may exist at common law. The parties' offset rights may be enforced notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement including, without limitation, the provisions of Article 11.
Article 7
7.1Conversions
If a Reinsured Policy is converted according to its terms and the applicable provisions of the Business Guidelines, the Company will notify the Reinsurer as specified in Exhibit F. The amount to be reinsured will be determined on the same basis as used for the original
Reinsured Policy (excess of retention or quota share) but will not exceed the amount reinsured as of the date of conversion unless mutually agreed otherwise.
Reinsurance will be on a YRT basis using the YRT Rates for Conversions specified in Exhibit C-1, at the issue age and duration of the original Reinsured Policy.
7.2Policy Changes
"Policy changes" refers to the variety of actions that may be made to a policy after issue. These actions include, but are not limited to, replacements, changes in plans, a change in the face amount of the policy or the addition of a covered rider. If there is a change to the reinsurance on a Reinsured Policy, the Company will inform the Reinsurer in the subsequent Changes and Terminations Report specified in Exhibit F.
Except as provided in this Article, whenever a Reinsured Policy is changed and the
Company's underwriting guidelines do not require that full evidence of insurability be obtained, the reinsurance will remain in effect with the Reinsurer, whether the change is made before or after any cancellation of this Agreement for new business. The suicide and contestability periods applicable to the original Reinsured Policy will apply to the reissued Reinsured Policy and the duration will be measured from the effective date of the original Reinsured Policy.
Whenever a Reinsured Policy is changed and the Company's underwriting guidelines require that full evidence of insurability be obtained, and the suicide and contestability periods are based on the reissued policy date, the reinsurance will remain in effect with the Reinsurer only if the change is made before any cancellation of this Agreement for new business. The suicide period may be based on an earlier policy date if explicitly allowed
by the Company's underwriting guidelines. The Company will notify the Reinsurer of any changes in the underwriting guidelines, as specified in Article 15.1, Business Continuity.
Policy changes to Reinsured Policies will be subject to the Reinsurer's prior written approval, if:
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a)
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The new ultimate face amount of the policy, including any contractual increases, would be in excess of the Automatic Acceptance Limit in effect at the time of the change, as set out in Exhibit E; or
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b)
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The new ultimate face amount of the policy, including any contractual increases, and the amount already in force in all companies on the same life exceeds the In Force Limits stated in Exhibit E; or
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c)
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The policy was reinsured on a facultative basis; or
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d)Evidence of insurability is not obtained if required in the Company's underwriting guidelines,
First year premium rates and allowances as specified in Exhibit C-1 will apply to the amount underwritten for a non-contractual increase.
7.3Reductions
Unless specified otherwise in this Agreement, if the amount of a Reinsured Policy issued by the Company is reduced and:
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a)
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The amount of reinsurance is on an excess basis, then the amount of reinsurance
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on that life will be reduced effective the same date by the full amount of the reduction under the original Reinsured Policy. If the amount of insurance terminated equals or exceeds the amount of reinsurance, the full amount of reinsurance will be terminated; or
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b)
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The amount of reinsurance is on a quota share basis, then the amount of
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reinsurance on that Reinsured Policy will be reduced effective the same date by the same proportion as the reduction under the original Reinsured Policy.
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The reduction will first apply to any reinsurance on the Reinsured Policy being reduced and then, if applicable, in chronological order according to policy date ("first in, first out") to any reinsurance on other policies in force on the life. However, the Company will not be required to assume a risk for an amount in excess of its regular retention for the age at issue and the mortality rating of the policy under which reinsurance is being terminated.
If the reinsurance for a Reinsured Policy has been placed with more than one reinsurer, the reduction will be applied to all reinsurers pro rata to the amounts originally reinsured with each reinsurer.
A reduction to one of the Company's policies not reinsured hereunder will require that the Company maintain its retention as specified in Exhibit D of this Agreement.
7.4Lapses
When a policy issued by the Company lapses, the corresponding reinsurance on the Reinsured Policy will be terminated effective the same date. Unless specified otherwise in this Agreement, if a policy fully retained by the Company lapses, the terms of Article 7.3
will apply. Full retention shall be defined as specified in Exhibit D of this Agreement.
If a policy issued by the Company lapses and extended term insurance is elected under the terms of that policy, the corresponding reinsurance on the Reinsured Policy will continue on the same basis as the original Reinsured Policy until the expiry of the extended term period.
If a policy issued by the Company lapses and reduced paid-up insurance is elected under
the terms of that policy, the amount of the corresponding reinsurance on the Reinsured Policy will be reduced according to the terms of Article 7,3.
If the Company allows the policy to remain in force under its automatic premium loan regulations, the corresponding reinsurance on the Reinsured Policy will continue unchanged and in force as long as such regulations remain in effect, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement.
7.5Reinstatements
If a policy reinsured on an automatic basis is reinstated according to its terms and the Company's reinstatement rules, the Reinsurer will, upon notification, automatically reinstate the reinsurance. The Reinsurer's approval is required for the reinstatement of a facultative policy if the Company's regular reinstatement rules indicate that evidence of insurability, in addition to a statement of good health, is required.
To the extent the Reinsured Policy requires payment of premiums in arrears, the Company will pay all reinsurance premiums in arrears on reinstated policies and such premiums will be subject to Article 16.8 and Exhibit F.
7.6Reinsurance Limits
The Company will not submit a policy to the Reinsurer unless the amount of reinsurance on the policy equals or exceeds the Minimum Initial Reinsurance Limit specified in Exhibit C.
A Reinsured Policy will no longer be reinsured when its reinsured Net Amount at Risk (as
defined in Exhibit C-1 J is less than the Minimum Final Reinsurance Limit specified in Exhibit C.
Article 8
8.1Retention Limit Change
If the Company changes its retention limit (hereinafter "Retention Limit"), it will provide the Reinsurer with written notice of the new Retention Limit at least 90 days prior to the effective date. Changes to the Company's Retention Limits in Exhibit D will not affect the Reinsured Policies in force at the time of such a change except as specifically provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, and will not affect the Automatic Acceptance Limits in Exhibit E unless mutually agreed in writing by the Company and the Reinsurer.
If the Company decreases its Retention Limit, no reinsurance may be ceded on an automatic basis until the parties have reviewed and either expressly affirmed or revised the terms specified in Exhibit C-1 and the Automatic Acceptance Limits set out in Exhibit E.
8.2Recapture
The Company may apply an increase in its Retention Limit to reduce the ceded amount of inforce reinsurance provided, however, that:
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The Company gives the Reinsurer an irrevocable written notice of its intention to recapture; and
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b)
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Recapture will be effected on the next anniversary of each Reinsured Policy eligible for recapture unless agreed otherwise by both parties and with no recapture being made until the Reinsured Policy has been in force for the period specified in Exhibit C-1. For a conversion or re-entry, the recapture terms of the original policy will apply and the duration for the recapture period will be measured from the effective date of the original policy; and
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c)
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The Company has maintained, from the time the policy was issued, its quota share retention as set out in Exhibit D, and has applied its increased Retention Limit to all categories set out in Exhibit D.
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In applying its increased Retention Limit to Reinsured Policies, the age and mortality rating at the time of issue will be used to determine the amount of the Company's increased retention. The amount of reinsurance eligible for recapture will be the difference between the amount originally retained and the amount the Company would have retained on the same quota share basis had the new retention been in effect at the time of issue. If there is reinsurance with other reinsurers on risks eligible for recapture, the reduction will be applied pro rata to the total outstanding reinsurance.
Recapture is optional, but if any reinsured business is recaptured, all eligible reinsured business must be recaptured. In addition, all life risks reinsured under any other similarly underwritten COLI or BOLT reinsurance agreements between the Reinsurer and the Company which are eligible for recapture must be similarly recaptured. No reserves for the recaptured business will be paid to the Company by the Reinsurer.
Effective as of the recapture date, the Reinsurer will not be liable for any eligible business which was overlooked. The parties' obligations for any recaptured business will be limited to those relating to events or circumstances arising or occurring before the recapture date.
Upon recapture, each party will be deemed to be fully and finally released from all obligations under this Agreement with respect to the recaptured business.
8.3Waiver of Premium Claims
If Waiver of Premium (W.P.) is a reinsured benefit on any Reinsured Policy covered by this Agreement and there is a W.P. claim in effect with respect to a Reinsured Policy when recapture takes place, the W.P. claim will stay in effect and the Reinsurer will continue to
pay its share of the W.P. claim until such claim terminates. During such period, the Reinsurer will not be liable for any other benefits with respect to the Reinsured Policy, including the basic life risk, which are eligible for recapture. All eligible benefits will be recaptured as if there was no W.P. claim.
Article 9
9,1Claims Notice and Consultation
The Company is responsible for the settlement of claims in accordance with applicable law and policy terms. It is the Company's sole decision to determine whether a claim is payable under the policy. For purposes of this Article, Reinsured Policies include conditional receipts and temporary insurance agreements covered under the terms of this Agreement. It is a condition to the Reinsurer's obligation to pay a claim that the Company notify the Reinsurer in writing as soon as possible, but in any event not later than 24 months after the Company receives notice of a claim on a Reinsured Policy. The Company will promptly provide the Reinsurer with copies of all claims documents.
As a condition to the Reinsurer's obligation to pay a claim, before making a claim decision or settlement offer, the Company will seek the Reinsurer's recommendation on such matters to the extent specified in Exhibit C-1. The Reinsurer will promptly make a recommendation; failing such, the Company may settle the claim without further consultation. The terms of Exhibit C-1 notwithstanding, the Company may request a recommendation from the Reinsurer on any claim on a Reinsured Policy. The Company will provide the Reinsurer all information, including underwriting files, reasonably requested by the Reinsurer for consideration of any claim on a Reinsured Policy.
The Company, if notified, will notify the Reinsurer of deaths that do not trigger policy benefits.
9.2Claims Payment
The Reinsurer will be liable to the Company for its share of the benefits owed under the express contractual terms of the Reinsured Policies and as specified under the terms of this Agreement. The Reinsurer will not participate in any ex gratia payments made by the Company (i.e., payments the Company is not required to make under the Reinsured Policy terms.) The payment of death benefits by the Reinsurer will be in one lump sum regardless of the mode of settlement under the Reinsured Policy. Benefit payments from the Reinsurer will be due within 30 days of the claim satisfying the requirements established under this Agreement. The Reinsurer's share of any interest payable under the terms of a
Reinsured Policy or applicable law which is based on the death benefits paid by the Company, will be payable provided that the Reinsurer will not be liable for interest accruing on or after the date of the Company's payment of benefits.
The Reinsurer will make payment to the Company for each such claim.
For Waiver of Premium claims, the Company will continue to pay premiums for reinsurance, except premiums for disability reinsurance. The Reinsurer will pay its proportionate share of the gross premium waived by the Company on the Reinsured Policy,
including its share of the premiums for benefits that remain in effect during disability.
For claims on Accelerated Benefit riders reinsured under this Agreement, the benefit amount payable by the Reinsurer will be calculated by multiplying the total accelerated death benefit rider payout by the ratio of the reinsured Net Amount at Risk, as defined in Exhibit C-1, to the face amount of the Reinsured Policy,
9.3 Claims Practices
It is the Company's sole decision to determine whether to investigate, contest, compromise or litigate a claim; however, the Company is responsible for investigating, contesting, compromising or litigating Reinsured Policy claims in accordance with applicable law and policy terms.
The Company acknowledges that it follows industry standards and investigates claims with any of the following criteria:
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If the claim occurs within the contestable period as defined by the Reinsured Policy; Or
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b)
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If there is a reasonable question regarding the validity of the insured's death or the authenticity of the proofs of death; or
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c)
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If the death occurs outside the United States or Canada; or
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d)
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If the insured is missing or presumed dead; or
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e)
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If there is a reasonable suspicion of fraud.
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A claim investigation generally includes confirming proof of death, medical records to validate the insured's medical disclosures and, if material, financial condition at the time of Policy application. Investigations may also include obtaining police reports, coroner's reports, financial records, or other information that would be appropriate under the circumstances.
The Company acknowledges that it does defend against claims meeting the following criteria:
f}If a material misrepresentation is found in the Policy application; or
9) If fraud is found; or
h)If there is insufficient proof of death.
9.4 Contested Claims
The Company will notify the Reinsurer promptly of its intention to investigate, contest, compromise, or litigate any claim involving a Reinsured Policy (hereinafter a "Contested Claim"). The Company will provide the Reinsurer all relevant information and documents, as such become available, pertaining to Contested Claims and will promptly report any developments during the Reinsurers review. If the Reinsurer:
a) Does not support the contest of the Claim, the Reinsurer will pay the Company its full share of the reinsurance benefit, and will not share in any subsequent reduction or increase in liability or in any subsequent expenses incurred by the Company; or
b)Supports the Company's decision to contest the claim and the Contested Claim results in a reduction or increase in liability, the Reinsurer will share in any reduction or increase in proportion to its share of the risk on the Contested Claim.
If the Reinsurer supports the decision to contest the claim, the Company will promptly advise the Reinsurer of all significant developments, including notice of legal proceedings (including, but not limited to, consumer complaints or actions by governmental authorities) initiated in connection with the Contested Claim.
If the Company returns premiums to the policy owner or beneficiary as a result of rescinding a policy, or if the Company pays a suicide benefit, the Reinsurer will refund net reinsurance premiums received on that policy to the Company,
9.5Claims Expenses
The Reinsurer will pay its share of reasonable investigation and legal expenses incurred in investigating, adjudicating or litigating a claim, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. The Reinsurer will not be liable for any routine investigative or administrative claim expenses (such as compensation of salaried employees) or for any expenses incurred in connection with conflicting claims of entitlement to Reinsured Policy benefits that the Company admits are payable.
9.6Extra Contractual Obligations
For purposes of this Agreement, "Extra Contractual Obligations" are any obligations or
expenses other than contractual obligations incurred by the Company, its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents or other representatives and arising under the express written terms and conditions of a policy, including but not limited to, punitive damages, bad faith damages, compensatory damages, and other damages or fines or
penalties which may arise from the acts, errors or omissions of the Company or its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents or other representatives.
The Reinsurer is not liable for Extra Contractual Obligations associated with a contested claim unless it concurred in writing and in advance with the claim actions which were the basis for the Extra Contractual Obligations. In these situations, the Company and the
Reinsurer will share in Extra Contractual Obligations, in equitable proportions, but all factors being equal, the Reinsurer's assessments would be in proportion to the risk accepted for the Reinsured Policy involved.
The Reinsurer will not be liable for any Extra Contractual Obligations resulting from the Company's failure to implement the agreed upon course of action, such as the filing of timely pleadings or meeting court or statutory deadlines, etc.
9.7Misstatement of Age or Sex
In the event of a change in the amount payable under a Reinsured Policy due to a misstatement in age or sex, the Reinsurer's liability will change proportionately. The Reinsured Policy will be rewritten from commencement on the basis of the adjusted amounts using premiums and amounts at risk for the correct ages and sex, and the proper
adjustment for the difference in reinsurance premiums, without interest, will be made.
Article 10
10.1 Errors and Omissions in Administration of Reinsurance
Any unintentional or accidental failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement which can be shown to be the result of an oversight or clerical error relating to the administration
of reinsurance by either party will not constitute a breach of this Agreement. Upon discovery, the error will be promptly corrected so that both parties are restored to the position they would have occupied had the oversight or clerical error not occurred. In the
event a payment is corrected, the party receiving the payment may charge interest, calculated according to the terms specified in Exhibit C. Should it not be possible to restore both parties to this position, the party responsible for the oversight or clerical error will be responsible for any resulting liabilities and expenses. The Reinsurer will not be responsible for deliberate acts of the Company or for recurring errors made by the Company.
If the Company has failed to cede reinsurance as provided under this Agreement or has failed to comply with reporting requirements with respect to business ceded hereunder, the Reinsurer may require the Company to audit its records for similar errors and take reasonable actions necessary to correct errors and avoid similar errors. Failing prompt correction, the Reinsurer may limit its liability to the correctly reported Reinsured Policies.
10.2 Dispute Resolution
As a condition to the parties' right to arbitration under this Agreement, either the Company or the Reinsurer will give written notification to the other party of any dispute relating to or arising from this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the formation or breach thereof. Within 15 days of notification, both parties must designate an officer of their respective companies to attempt to resolve the dispute. The officers will meet at a mutually agreeable location as soon as possible and as often as necessary to attempt to negotiate a resolution of the dispute. During the negotiation process, all reasonable requests made for information concerning the dispute will be promptly honored. The format for discussions will be determined mutually by the officers.
If these officers are unable to resolve the dispute within 30 days of their first meeting, the parties may agree in writing to extend the negotiation period for an additional 30 days. If
the matter is not resolved within 30 days of the first meeting or the additional 30 day period, if any, then either party may demand arbitration pursuant to Article 10.3. The discussions and all information exchanged for the purposes of such discussions will be confidential and without prejudice.
10.3 Arbitration
Except with respect to disputes subject to the Expedited Dispute Resolution Process in Article 10,4, if the Company and Reinsurer are unable to resolve any dispute arising from this Agreement, including but not limited to the formation or breach thereof, pursuant to Article 10.2, the matter will be referred to arbitration.
The arbitration will be conducted in accordance with the Procedures for Resolution of U.S. Insurance and Reinsurance Disputes, Neutral Panel Version, April 2004 (the "Procedures") available at www.arbitrationtaskforce.orq, except as modified herein.
The arbitration will be held in New York City or another place as the parties may mutually agree. The arbitration will be conducted before a three person Panel qualified as:
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Current or former officers of life insurance or reinsurance companies, or
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Professionals with no less than 10 years of experience in or serving the life insurance or reinsurance industries.
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The parties will select such candidates from the ▇▇▇▇▇-US Certified Arbitrators List available at www.▇▇▇▇▇-US.orq.
The customs and practices of the life insurance and reinsurance industries may be considered by the Panel to resolve any ambiguities in the Agreement but only insofar as such customs and practices are consistent with the terms of this Agreement. The Panel will not have the authority to award punitive or exemplary damages.
The Panel will award the remedy sought by the party seeking relief to the extent the
remedy is provided for in this Agreement or otherwise reasonably compensates the damaged party for the economic effect of any demonstrated breach. Such remedies may
include, but will not be limited to, monetary damages, revisions to the terms of the Agreement, including adjustments to premiums or allowances paid or to be paid, or any combination of the foregoing.
The Panel shall issue an order, appropriate for confirmation in a court of competent jurisdiction, to resolve all matters in dispute. In addition, the Panel shall issue a written opinion setting forth the reasons for the award, with citations to the record of the hearing that support the reasoning.
The decision of the Panel will be final and binding upon the parties and their respective successors and assigns. Each party hereby consents to the entry of a judgment confirming or enforcing the award in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and/or in any other court of competent jurisdiction.
Within 20 days after the transmittal of an award, either party, upon notice to the other party, may request the Panel to correct any clerical, typographical, or computational errors in the award. The other party will be given ten days to respond to the request. The Panel will dispose of the request within 20 days of its receipt of such request and any response thereto. The Panel will not be empowered to re-determine the merits of any claim already decided.
Each party will:
Bear its own fees and expenses in connection with the arbitration, including the fees of any outside counsel and witness fees, and
d)Share equally in the fees for the members of the Panel and the costs of the
arbitration, such as hearing rooms, court reporters, etc.
It is the intent of the parties that these arbitration provisions replace and be in lieu of any statutory arbitration provision, if permitted by law.
10.4 Expedited Dispute Resolution Process
The parties agree that the following types of issues and disputes will be subject to arbitration under the expedited procedures set forth in this Article:
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a)
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Any dispute regarding the obligations of the parties with respect to a single Reinsured Policy, regardless of the amount in controversy; or
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b)
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Any dispute in which the amount in controversy, exclusive of interest or costs, is less than $1 million.
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Arbitration proceedings under this Article will be commenced as specified in Article 10.3, and shall be subject to the requirements of Article 10.3 to the extent they are not inconsistent with this Article.
The proceedings will be held before a single neutral umpire meeting the qualifications set forth in Article 10.3. If the parties are unable to agree on an umpire within 30 days following commencement of the action, the selection will be made pursuant to the Umpire Selection Procedure of the ▇▇▇▇▇-US Certified Arbitrators List available at www.AR1ASUS.orq. No ex parte communication will be permitted with the umpire at any time prior to the conclusion of the proceedings.
Within 21 days from the date the selection of the umpire is agreed upon, the parties and umpire will conduct an organizational meeting by teleconference to familiarize the umpire with the dispute and to set a timetable for submission of briefs. There will be no discovery, and the dispute will be submitted on briefs and documentary evidence only, unless otherwise agreed by the parties or ordered by the umpire for good cause.
Within 30 days of submission of briefs by the parties, the umpire will render a written award which will be final and binding on the parties.
Article 11
11.1Insolvency
A party to this Agreement will be deemed "insolvent" when it:
alApplies for or consents to the appointment of a receiver, rehabilitator, conservator,
liquidator or statutory successor (hereinafter referred to as the Authorized Representative) of its properties or assets; or
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b)
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Is adjudicated as bankrupt or insolvent; or
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c)
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Files or consents to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, seeks reorganization or an arrangement with creditors or takes advantage of any bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation, rehabilitation, conservation or similar law or statute; or
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d)
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Becomes the subject of an order to rehabilitate or an order to liquidate as defined by the insurance code of the jurisdiction of the party's domicile.
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In the event of the insolvency of the Company, all reinsurance ceded, renewed or
otherwise becoming effective under this Agreement will be payable by the Reinsurer directly to the Company or to its Authorized Representative on the basis of the liability of the Company for benefits under the Reinsured Policies without diminution because of the insolvency of the Company.
The Reinsurer will be liable only for benefits reinsured as benefits become due under the terms of the Reinsured Policies and will not be or become liable for any amounts or reserves to be held by the Company as to the Reinsured Policies or for any damages or payments resulting from the termination or restructure of the Policies that are not otherwise expressly covered by this Agreement. The Company or its Authorized Representative will give written notice to the Reinsurer of all pending claims against the Company on any Reinsured Policies within a reasonable time after filing in the insolvency
proceedings, While a claim is pending, the Reinsurer may investigate such claim and interpose, at its own expense, in the proceedings where the claim is to be adjudicated, any defense or defenses which it may deem available to the Company or its Authorized Representative.
The expense incurred by the Reinsurer will be chargeable, subject to court approval, against the Company as part of the expense of its insolvency proceedings to the extent of a proportionate share of the benefit which may accrue to the Company solely as a result of the defense undertaken by the Reinsurer. Where two or more reinsurers are involved in the same claim and a majority in interest elect to interpose a defense to such claim, the
expense will be apportioned in accordance with the terms of the Agreement as though such expense had been incurred by the Company.
In the event of the insolvency of the Reinsurer, the Company may cancel this Agreement for new business by promptly providing the Reinsurer or its Authorized Representative with
written notice of cancellation, to be effective as of the date on which the Reinsurer's insolvency is established by the authority responsible for such determination. Any requirement for a notification period prior to the cancellation of the Agreement would not apply under such circumstances.
In addition, in the event of the insolvency of the Reinsurer, the Company may provide the Reinsurer or its Authorized Representative with written notice of its intent to recapture all reinsurance in force under this Agreement regardless of the duration the reinsurance has been in force or the amount retained by the Company on the Reinsured Policies. The effective date of a recapture due to insolvency will be at the election of the Company but may not be earlier than the date on which the Reinsurer's insolvency is established by the authority responsible for such determination. If the Company elects to recapture reinsurance under this Article, unearned premiums, net of outstanding balances, will be paid by the party with the positive balance.
In the event of the insolvency of either party, the rights or remedies of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect.
Article 12
12.1 DAC Tax Election (If applicable to the Company)
The Company and the Reinsurer agree to the election pursuant to Section 1.848-2(g)(8) of the Income Tax Regulations effective December 29, 1992, under Section 848 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (such election being referred to as the "DAC Tax Election"), whereby:
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a)
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The party with the net positive consideration for this Agreement for each taxable year will capitalize specified policy acquisition expenses with respect to this Agreement without regard to the general deductions limitation of Section 848(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code");
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b)
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The parties agree to exchange information pertaining to the amount of net consideration under this Agreement each year to ensure consistency. If requested, the Company will provide supporting information reasonably requested by the Reinsurer. (The term "net consideration" means "net consideration" as defined in Regulation Section 1.848-2(f));
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c)
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This DAC Tax Election will be effective for the first taxable year in which this Agreement is effective and for all years for which this Agreement remains in effect.
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The Company and the Reinsurer will each attach a schedule to their respective federal
income tax returns filed for the first taxable year for which this DAC Tax Election is effective. Such schedule will identify the Agreement as a reinsurance agreement for which the DAC Tax Election under Regulation Section 1.848-2(g)(8) has been made.
The Company and the Reinsurer represent and warrant that each is respectively subject to U.S. taxation under either the provisions of subchapter L of Chapter 1 or the provisions of subpart F of subchapter N of Chapter 1 of the Code.
12.2 Taxes and Expenses
No taxes, allowances, or expense will be paid by the Reinsurer to the Company for any Reinsured Policy, except as specifically referred to in this Agreement.
Article 13
13.1Entire Agreement
This Agreement and the Exhibits hereto constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the business reinsured hereunder and supersede any and all prior
representations, warranties, prior agreements or understandings between the parties pertaining to the subject matter of this Agreement. There are no understandings between the parties other than as expressed in this Agreement and the Exhibits hereto. In the event of any express conflict between the Agreement and the Exhibits hereto, the Exhibits hereto will control.
Any change or modification to this Agreement and the Exhibits hereto will be null and void unless made by written amendment and signed by both parties.
13.2 Inspection of Records
The Reinsurer or its duly appointed representatives will have access to records of the Company, whether written or electronic, and including system view access, concerning the business reinsured hereunder for the purpose of inspecting, auditing and photocopying those records. Such access will be provided at the office of the Company and will be
during reasonable business hours. The Reinsurer will provide the Company with two weeks advance written notice for normal records inspection. For inspection of items of an urgent nature, the Reinsurer will provide 48 hours advance notice. Assuming the Reinsurer has continued to perform the undisputed portion of its obligations under this Agreement, the Company may not withhold access to information and records on the grounds that the Reinsurer is in breach.
The Reinsurer's right of access as specified above will survive until all of the Reinsurer's obligations under this Agreement have terminated or been fully discharged.
13.3 Utmost Good Faith
All matters with respect to this Agreement require the utmost good faith of each of the parties.
13.4 Confidentiality
The parties will keep confidential and not disclose or make competitive use of any shared Proprietary Information, as defined below, unless:
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a)
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The information becomes publicly available or is obtained other than through unauthorized disclosure by the party seeking to disclose or use such information;
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b)
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The information is independently developed by the recipient;
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c)
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The disclosure is, in the reasonable judgment of either party, required or deemed advantageous (in terms of pricing, ease of execution or otherwise) for the purpose of any reinsurance, retrocession, securitization, or structured, asset-backed or asset-based financing; or
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d)The disclosure is required by law.
"Proprietary Information" includes, but is not limited to, underwriting manuals and guidelines, applications, contract forms, and premium rates and allowances of the Reinsurer and the Company, but shall not include the existence of this Agreement and the identity of the parties. Nothing herein shall preclude either party from sharing Proprietary Information for normal business operations or, on an aggregated basis, for internal operations such as developing pricing models and actuarial analyses. Additionally, Proprietary Information may be shared by either party on a need-to-know basis with its employees, affiliates, third party service providers, auditors, consultants or retrocessionaires, or in connection with the dispute process specified in this Agreement.
In addition, the Reinsurer and its representatives and service providers will protect the confidentiality and security of Non-Public Personal Information, as defined below, by:
elHolding all Non-Public Personal Information in strict confidence;
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f)
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Maintaining appropriate measures that are designed to protect the security, integrity and confidentiality of Non-Public Personal Information;
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g)
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Disclosing and using Non-Public Personal Information received under this Agreement for purposes of carrying out the Reinsurer's obligations under this Agreement, for purposes of retrocession, or as may be required or permitted by law.
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"Non-Public Personal Information" is personally identifiable medical, financial, and other
personal information about proposed, current and former applicants, policy owners, contract holders, insureds, annuitants, claimants, and beneficiaries of Reinsured Policies or contracts issued by the Company, and their representatives, that is not publicly available. Non-Public Personal Information does not include de-identified personal data, i.e., information that does not identify, or could not reasonably be associated with, an individual.
The Company will obtain, as required by law, appropriate consents from its insureds to enable the parties to fully exercise their rights and perform their obligations under this Agreement.
Article 14
14.1 Representations and Warranties
The Company makes no representations and warranties as to the future experience or profitability arising from the Reinsured Policies.
Each party represents and warrants that it is solvent on a statutory basis on the date hereof in all states in which it does business or is licensed.
"Material" or "materially" for purposes of Articles 14 and 15 will mean facts that a prudent reinsurer or insurer would consider as reasonably likely to affect the Reinsurer's experience under the Agreement. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Company has provided to the Reinsurer the Business Guidelines for use in its assessment of the risks covered hereunder. The Company represents and warrants that, to the best of its knowledge:
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a)
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It has disclosed to the Reinsurer all information which is material to the risks being assumed hereunder; and
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b)
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The Business Guidelines were complete and accurate when disclosed; and
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c)
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There has been no material change in the Business Guidelines between the "as of" dates of the information and the date of Agreement execution.
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This Article will not terminate or expire until all Reinsured Policies have been discharged or terminated in full.
Article 15
1 5.1 Business Continuity
All Reinsured Policies will be issued and administered in accordance with the Business Guidelines. The Company will notify the Reinsurer of any change that materially affects the reinsured business, including changes to the Business Guidelines. This Agreement will not cover policies affected by such changes unless the Reinsurer has agreed in writing and
in advance with the changes. Outsourcing of underwriting functions, administrative functions or claims administration with respect to the Reinsured Policies will constitute a material change. If the Reinsurer agrees to accept policies affected by the outsourcing, the Company will secure the Reinsurer's right to audit and inspect the party performing such outsourced services.
If Reinsured Policies are not covered due to an unapproved material change, all payments
between the Company and the Reinsurer with respect to the affected Policies shalt be refunded, excluding items relating to reserves or interest on reserves. No liability shall remain with the Reinsurer with respect to such Policies.
Article 16
16.1 Duration of Agreement
This Agreement is unlimited as to its duration.
Except as provided in Article 7,6 (only include this phrase if a Maximum Aggregate Reinsurance Limit is included in the Agreement), the Reinsurer or the Company may terminate this Agreement or any plan listed in Exhibit A with respect to the reinsurance of new business by giving at least 90 days' written notice of termination to the other party or pursuant to Article 15.1 of this Agreement. During the 90 day notification period, the Company will continue to cede and the Reinsurer will continue to accept policies covered under the terms of this Agreement.
The Reinsurer remains liable for all Reinsured Policies in force as of the date of the termination, until their natural expiration, unless the parties mutually decide otherwise or as specified otherwise in this Agreement. All provisions of this Agreement will survive its termination to the extent necessary to carry out its purpose.
16.2 Severability
Determination that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable will not affect or impair the validity or the enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
16.3 Construction
This Agreement will be construed and administered without regard to authorship and without any presumption or rule of construction in favor of either party. This Agreement is between sophisticated parties, each of which has reviewed the Agreement and is fully knowledgeable about its terms and conditions.
16.4 Credit for Reinsurance
The parties intend that the Company will receive statutory reserve credit in its state of domicile for reinsurance provided under this Agreement. The parties agree to use reasonable efforts to ensure that such reserve credit will remain available to the Company.
1 6.5 Non-Waiver
A waiver by either party of any violation, or the default by the other party in its adherence to any term of this Agreement, will not constitute a waiver of any other or subsequent violation or default. No prior transaction or dealing between the parties will establish any custom, usage or precedent waiving or modifying any provision of the Agreement. The failure of either party to enforce any part of this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of any right to do so.
16.6 Retrocession
The Reinsurer may reinsure or retrocede any risks or business assumed hereunder.
16.7 Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
16.8 Interest
Each party reserves the right to charge interest on balances overdue, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. If applicable, interest will be calculated according to the terms specified in Exhibit C.
16.9 Medical Information Bureau
The Reinsurer is required to strictly adhere to the Medical Information Bureau Rules, and the Company agrees to abide by these Rules, as amended from time to time. The Company will not submit a preliminary notice, application for reinsurance, or reinsurance
cession to the Reinsurer unless the Company has an authentic, signed preliminary or regular application for insurance in its home office and the current required Medical Information Bureau authorization.
16.10 Notice
All Notices and other communications under this Agreement will be effective when received and sufficient if given in writing and delivered by confirmed or registered mail, or by an overnight delivery service of general commercial use (such as UPS, Federal Express, or Airborne), addressed to the attention of the applicable party below:
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Company
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Actuary
Nationwide Financial
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇-▇▇-▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
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Reinsurer
Sr. Vice President, Individual Life Reins. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
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16.11 Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one Agreement, and any of the parties hereto may execute this Agreement by signing any such counterpart. When this Agreement has been fully executed by the Company and the Reinsurer, it will become effective as of the Effective Date specified in Exhibit A.
Execution
This Agreement has been made in duplicate and hereby executed by both parties.
Signed for and on behalf of ,Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company
By: By:
Title: Title:
Date: Date:
Signed for and on behalf of Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc.
By: By:
Title: Title:
Date: Date: