Captive Insurance
Montana has become a leader in the captive insurance marketplace. Montana currently has nearly 300 domiciled captive insurance companies that have brought in over $13 million in premium tax payments since 2001, when captive legislation was enacted in the state.
The Commissioner of Securities and Insurance is committed to further growth in the dynamic captive insurance market. The state’s streamlined and efficient regulatory process and a knowledgeable team of accessible captive experts can help your company reach its goals. We’ve laid out everything you need to know to begin the process of domiciling a captive insurance company in our state.
Montana has a variety of captive types and business entity structures available for captive formations.
Captive insurance companies have been in existence for over 100 years. However, over the past 30 years, there has been significant growth in the captive market — including in Montana, which is now considered a U.S. leader in captive insurance.
Captives do not interact with consumers in the same fashion as traditional multi-line companies so the CSI office has been able to create a streamlined regulatory environment for them.
The captive insurance industry provides significant economic benefit to Montana. An infrastructure of professional service providers (managers, accountants, lawyers, actuaries) has developed to support the industry. Captive insurers domiciled in Montana provide insurance to rural hospitals, nursing homes, doctors, commercial trucking companies, contractors, and others. Long-term benefits to Montana include the potential for new jobs, an expanded tax base and increased economic activity.
In the years following original enactment of Montana’s captive legislation in 2001, the Montana Legislature has passed several important law changes that favorably impacted captives. Examples include: in 2011 the legislature provided the authority to create incorporated cells within a protected cell captive insurance company, as well as the new special purpose captive licensing category; in 2013, the legislature enacted changes to Montana’s corporate laws that permitted business entities (including captives) to form as Series LLC companies; and in 2015 the legislature changed the law that provided public entities (political subdivisions) the ability to own a captive.
Steps to form a Montana captive insurance company
The procedures listed below should be followed to form a captive insurance company in Montana and to apply for a Certificate of Authority from the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance:
2. Submit the application to the commissioner for review. Include a $200 application fee and a $300 license fee.
3.Submit drafts of the business organizational documents with the captive insurer’s application for Certificate of Authority. In drafting the organizational documents, the services of a local attorney may be desirable.
4. Provide information concerning the adequacy of the expertise, experience, and character of the person or persons who will manage the captive insurer. Affidavits are required on directors, officers and management personnel.
5. Have your CPA complete the Application for Authorization as an independent certified public accountant.
6. Have your actuary complete the Application for Authorization to Certify Loss Reserves and Loss Expense Reserves for Captives.
7. If a Letter of Credit will be used for Capital & Surplus, see sample.
8.The Montana insurance code authorizes the commissioner to obtain services to review the application for a captive insurer at the applicant’s expense. If the commissioner determines that such services are needed, you will be required to submit an additional copy of the application materials to the reviewer and you will be notified of the cost.
9.Montana captive insurers must file an annual statement, Section 33-28-107, MCA.
Required Forms
Captive Application for Certificate Authority
Biographical Affidavit
Irrevocable Letter of Credit
Service of Process: RRG
Application for Authorization to Act as a CPA for a MT Captive
Application for Authorization to Certify Loss Reserves
Montana Short Form Annual Statement
Fiscal Year Filers – Montana Short Form Annual Statement
Holding Company Forms
Montana captive insurer requirements
As required by Section 33-28-107(2)(c), MCA, each captive insurance company shall report using generally accepted accounting principles, unless the commissioner requires the use of statutory accounting principles.
Captive Risk Retention Groups must file an annual statement on or before March 1 using the annual statement blank adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for property-casualty insurance companies. This form must also be filed with the NAIC.
All captive insurers other than risk retention groups may file the Montana Short Form Annual Statement on or before April 1.