EXHIBIT 10.14
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
ROYAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA,
ROYAL SPECIALTY UNDERWRITING, INC.
AND
UNDERWRITERS REINSURANCE COMPANY
DATED JULY 1, 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions........................................................................ 2
ARTICLE II APPOINTMENT; PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Section 2.1 Appointment........................................................................ 5
Section 2.2 Standards.......................................................................... 5
ARTICLE III SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY ADMINISTRATOR
Section 3.1 Administrative Services............................................................ 6
Section 3.2 Administration..................................................................... 6
ARTICLE IV REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND CUSTOMER ISSUES
Section 4.1 Certain Regulatory Filings......................................................... 6
Section 4.2 Changes in Applicable Laws......................................................... 7
Section 4.3 Inquiries, Notification and Customer Complaints.................................... 7
Section 4.4 Management of Customer Relationships............................................... 7
Section 4.5 Maintenance of Treaty Reinsurance.................................................. 7
ARTICLE V AUTHORITY
Section 5.1 Authority.......................................................................... 7
Section 5.2 Administration of Excluded Liabilities............................................. 8
Section 5.3 Marketing and Advertising.......................................................... 9
ARTICLE VI OTHER SERVICES AND FEES FOR SERVICES
Section 6.1 Additional Services................................................................ 9
Section 6.2 Fee for Services................................................................... 9
Section 6.3 Services Provided by Insurer....................................................... 9
ARTICLE VII REPORTS, ELECTRONIC PREMIUM AND LOSS DATA
Section 7.1 Reports, Electronic Premium and Loss Data.......................................... 10
Section 7.2 Payment of Amounts................................................................. 10
ARTICLE VIII BOOKS AND RECORDS; BANK ACCOUNTS
Section 8.1 Access to Books and Records........................................................ 11
Section 8.2 Bank Accounts...................................................................... 12
ARTICLE IX INABILITY TO PERFORM SERVICES; ERRORS
Section 9.1 Inability to Perform Services...................................................... 13
Section 9.2 Errors............................................................................. 13
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ARTICLE X LEGAL ACTIONS
Section 10.1 Regulatory Proceedings............................................................. 13
Section 10.2 Compliance of Reinsured Contracts.................................................. 14
Section 10.3 Defense of Litigation.............................................................. 14
Section 10.4 Communications Regarding Certain Matters........................................... 15
ARTICLE XI DURATION; TERMINATION
Section 11.1 Duration........................................................................... 15
Section 11.2 Termination........................................................................ 15
ARTICLE XII CONFIDENTIALITY
Section 12.1 Use of Confidential Information.................................................... 16
Section 12.2 Confidentiality of Individuals..................................................... 16
Section 12.3 Disclosure......................................................................... 16
ARTICLE XIII INDEMNIFICATION
Section 13.1 Indemnification by Insurer......................................................... 17
Section 13.2 Indemnification by Administrator................................................... 17
Section 13.3 Indemnification Procedure.......................................................... 17
Section 13.4 Relationship to RIC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement.............................. 17
ARTICLE XIV ARBITRATION
Section 14.1 Arbitration........................................................................ 18
Section 14.2 Notice of Arbitration.............................................................. 18
Section 14.3 Arbitration Panel.................................................................. 18
Section 14.4 Submission of Briefs............................................................... 18
Section 14.5 Arbitration Board's Decision....................................................... 19
Section 14.6 Jurisdiction....................................................................... 19
Section 14.7 Expenses........................................................................... 19
Section 14.8 Production of Documents and Witnesses.............................................. 19
Section 14.9 Relief Available................................................................... 20
Section 14.10 Consolidation...................................................................... 20
ARTICLE XV MISCELLANEOUS
Section 15.1 Cooperation........................................................................ 20
Section 15.2 Amendment, Modification and Waiver................................................. 20
Section 15.3 Relationship....................................................................... 20
Section 15.4 Entire Agreement................................................................... 21
Section 15.5 Governing Law...................................................................... 21
Section 15.6 Severability....................................................................... 21
Section 15.7 Counterparts....................................................................... 21
Section 15.8 Consent to Jurisdiction............................................................ 21
Section 15.9 Third Party Beneficiaries.......................................................... 22
Section 15.10 Binding; Assignment................................................................ 22
Section 15.11 Specific Performance............................................................... 22
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Section 15.12 Descriptive Headings............................................................... 22
Section 15.13 Expenses........................................................................... 22
Section 15.14 Use of Name........................................................................ 22
Section 15.15 Survival........................................................................... 22
Section 15.16 Subcontracting..................................................................... 23
Section 15.17 Notices............................................................................ 23
Section 15.18 Interpretation..................................................................... 25
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A Administrative Services Intellectual Property License Agreement
Exhibit B RSA Reinsurance Security Guidelines
Exhibit C Form of Report Required Pursuant to Section 7.1
SCHEDULES
Schedule 4.5(a) Levels of Treaty Reinsurance
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ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
This ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT, dated as of July 1,
2003 (hereinafter referred to as the "RICA Administrative Services Agreement")
is made and entered into by and among ROYAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA, an
Illinois company ("Insurer"), ROYAL SPECIALTY UNDERWRITING, INC., a Georgia
company ("RSUI" or "Administrator"), and UNDERWRITERS REINSURANCE COMPANY, a
property and casualty insurance company organized under the laws of the State of
New Hampshire ("Reinsurer").
WHEREAS, prior to the Effective Date (defined below), RSUI has
underwritten certain insurance and reinsurance contracts on behalf of Insurer
and administered the claims, reinsurance recoverables and premium activity
relating to such contracts;
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Acquisition Agreement, dated as of
June 6, 2003 (the "Acquisition Agreement"), by and between Royal Group, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("Royal") and Alleghany Insurance Holdings LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company ("AIHL"), the parties agreed, among other things, that
Royal will sell, and AIHL will buy, all of the issued and outstanding shares of
common stock of RSUI;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Assignment and Assumption Agreement
dated as of June 30, 2003 (the "Assignment Agreement"), AIHL assigned to RSUI
Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AIHL ("RSUI
Group"), and RSUI Group assumed from AIHL, all of AIHL's rights and obligations
under the Acquisition Agreement;
WHEREAS, Insurer is a member of a reinsurance pool (the
"Pool") of which RIC is the lead pool member;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement
and the Assignment Agreement, Royal and RSUI Group have agreed that Royal shall
cause Royal Indemnity Company ("RIC"), and RSUI Group shall cause Reinsurer, to
enter into a Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement (the "RIC Quota Share Reinsurance
Agreement"), pursuant to which RIC has agreed to cede to Reinsurer, and
Reinsurer has agreed to assume, on a 100% quota share basis, the liabilities and
obligations arising out of (i) the insurance contracts issued by Reinsurer in
Insurer's name (and 100% reinsured by RIC through the Pool) with an effective
date (new or renewal) on or after the Effective Date; and (ii) the RSUI-Produced
Insurance Contracts (defined below) which are in force on the Effective Date,
but only to the extent they arise out of, or relate to, periods on or after the
Effective Date;
WHEREAS, Insurer wishes to appoint Administrator to provide
all administrative services and other services with respect to the Reinsured
Contracts and Reinsured Liabilities (as such terms are defined in the RIC Quota
Share Reinsurance Agreement), and Administrator desires to provide such
administrative services in consideration of RIC entering into the RIC Quota
Share Reinsurance Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the parties agree that Administrator shall continue,
for the duration of this RICA Administrative Services Agreement, to administer
the claims, reinsurance recoverables and premium activity relating to the
Reinsured Contracts on the Computer Systems and to prepare and deliver reports
relating to such administration to Insurer in substantially the same manner as
RSUI has been doing prior to the Effective Date.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and
the promises and the mutual agreements hereinafter set forth and set forth in
the Acquisition Agreement and RIC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement, the parties
hereto, intending to be legally bound, covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not
defined herein and which are defined in the RIC Quota Share Reinsurance
Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the RIC Quota Share
Reinsurance Agreement. As used in this RICA Administrative Services Agreement,
the following terms shall have the meanings set forth herein:
"AAA" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.3 hereof.
"Acquisition Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in
the recitals.
"Administrative Services" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.1 hereof.
"Administrative Services Intellectual Property License
Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(d) hereof.
"Administrator" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals.
"Affiliate" of any Person means another Person that as from
time to time, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under
common control with, such first Person, where "control" means the possession,
directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract, as trustee or executor, or otherwise. For the purposes
of this RICA Administrative Services Agreement, the term "Affiliated" has a
meaning correlative to the foregoing.
"AIHL" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
"Applicable Law" means any applicable order, law, statute,
regulation, rule, ordinance, writ, injunction, directive, judgment, decree,
principal of common law, constitution or treaty enacted, promulgated, issued,
enforced or entered by any
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Governmental Entity, including any amendments thereto that may be adopted from
time to time.
"Assignment Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals.
"Bank Accounts" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
8.2 hereof.
"Board" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.1
hereof.
"Books and Records" means the originals or copies of all
customer lists, policy information, insurance contract forms, administrative and
pricing manuals, medical procedure code lists, claim records, sales records,
underwriting records, financial records, compliance records, data files prepared
for or filed with regulators of the Business (as such term is defined in the
Acquisition Agreement) and premium tax records, each in the possession or
control of RSUI, Royal or any of its Affiliates, or, after the Closing, AIHL or
any of its Affiliates and used in the operation of the Business, whether or not
stored in hardcopy form or on magnetic or optical media (to the extent not
subject to licensing restrictions), but excluding (i) prior to the Closing, any
such lists, information and records that are prohibited from being disclosed or
transferred by Applicable Law or regulatory requirements and (ii) any such
information that is part of any consolidated, unitary, combined or similar Tax
Return except to the extent directly related to RSUI.
"Business Day" means a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or
Friday on which banking institutions in the State of New York are not authorized
or obligated by Applicable Law to close.
"Closing" shall mean the closing of the transactions
contemplated under the Acquisition Agreement.
"Closing Date" shall mean the date of the Closing.
"Computer Systems" means the PODS relational database, the
ENTRII: Premium registration system (electronic user interface populated by
B-File database) and other computer systems RSUI utilizes, and utilized
immediately prior to the Closing, to perform the Administrative Services.
"Damages" shall have the meaning set forth in the RIC Quota
Share Reinsurance Agreement.
"Effective Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the RIC
Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement.
"Excluded Liabilities" shall have the meaning set forth in the
RIC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement.
"Governmental Entities" shall have the meaning set forth in
the RIC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement.
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"Material Regulatory Proceeding" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 10.1(c) hereof.
"90-Day Treasury Rate" means the annual yield rate, as of any
given date, of actively traded U.S. Treasury securities having remaining
duration to maturity of three months, as such rate is published under "Treasury
Constant Maturities" in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519).
"Person" shall have the meaning set forth in the RIC Quota
Share Reinsurance Agreement.
"Policyholder" shall have the meaning set forth in the RIC
Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement.
"Producers" shall mean any reinsurance intermediary, agent or
other producer of Insurer.
"Quota Share Reinsurance Agreements" shall mean, collectively,
the RIC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement, the RSLIC Quota Share Reinsurance
Agreement and the Landmark Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement, as such terms are
defined in the Acquisition Agreement.
"Reinsured Contracts" shall have the meaning set forth in the
RIC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement.
"Reinsured Liabilities" shall have the meaning set forth in
the RIC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement.
"Reinsurer" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
"Representative" shall mean, with respect to a particular
Person, any director, officer, employee, agent, consultant, advisor, or other
representative of such Person, including legal counsel accounts and financial
advisors.
"RIC" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
"Royal" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
"RSUI" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
"RSUI Group" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.
"RSUI-Produced Insurance Contracts" shall have the meaning set
forth in the RIC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement.
"Subsidiary" of any Person means another Person, an amount of
the voting securities, other voting ownership or voting partnership interests of
which is sufficient to elect at least a majority of its Board of Directors or
other governing body (or, if there are
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no such voting interests, 50% or more of the equity interests of which) is owned
directly or indirectly by such first Person.
"Transition Services Agreement" shall mean the Transition
Services Agreement entered into by and between Royal and AIHL on the Closing
Date pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement.
ARTICLE II
APPOINTMENT; PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Section 2.1 Appointment.
(a) Insurer hereby appoints Administrator as its agent
and attorney-in-fact to provide the Administrative Services and other services
specified herein with respect to the Reinsured Contracts and the Reinsured
Liabilities on the terms, and subject to the limitations and conditions, set
forth in this RICA Administrative Services Agreement, and Administrator hereby
accepts such appointment and agrees to perform such Administrative Services on
behalf of and in the name of Insurer in accordance with the terms and conditions
of this RICA Administrative Services Agreement.
(b) Administrator represents that it has or will obtain
and maintain any and all licenses required under Applicable Law to perform its
obligations under this RICA Administrative Services Agreement.
(c) The intention of the parties hereto is that
Administrator shall perform all Administrative Services in such a manner as to
minimize the involvement of Insurer and its Affiliates, subject to the
requirements of any Applicable Law that require that specific actions be taken
by Insurer without the Administrator acting on its behalf.
(d) Administrator's access to the Computer Systems
controlled by Insurer that are necessary for it to provide the Administrative
Services and other services specified herein shall be governed by the
Administrative Services Intellectual Property License Agreement, the form of
which is attached hereto as EXHIBIT A (the "Administrative Services Intellectual
Property License Agreement").
Section 2.2 Standards.
(a) Administrator acknowledges that the performance of
the Administrative Services in an accurate and timely manner is of paramount
importance to Insurer. Subject to the provisions of this RICA Administrative
Services Agreement, Administrator agrees that in providing the Administrative
Services: (i) it shall conduct itself in accordance with all administrative and
claims handling standards utilized by leading property and casualty insurers,
which standards are at least equal to the standards pursuant to which RSUI
administered the RSUI-Produced Insurance Contracts and the related liabilities
immediately prior to the Effective Date; (ii) it shall comply in all material
respects with all Applicable Laws relating to the Reinsured Contracts and the
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Reinsured Liabilities and to the conduct of the activities contemplated hereby;
and (iii) it shall comply with the terms of the Reinsured Contracts.
(b) For the duration of this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement, Administrator hereby covenants that it will employ and retain staff
with the experience, skill and expertise to perform the Administrative Services
the Administrator is obligated to perform hereunder in a manner consistent with
the standards set forth in Section 2.2(a) hereof. In connection therewith,
Administrator shall have suitable business continuity plans in place.
(c) Administrator shall in all respects administer the
Reinsured Contracts in a manner which would not adversely affect the reputation
of the Insurer.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this RICA Administrative
Services Agreement to the contrary, Insurer shall retain the authority to make
all final decisions with respect to the administration of the Reinsured
Contracts, and shall consult with the Administrator of its intention to do so.
ARTICLE III
SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY ADMINISTRATOR
Section 3.1 Administrative Services. While this RICA
Administrative Services Agreement is in effect, Administrator shall provide the
Administrative Services, including, but not limited to, all services currently
provided and all services currently performed by RSUI and/or Insurer or required
to be provided by Applicable Law or the Reinsured Contracts, and generally, any
and all other services incidental to the administration of the Reinsured
Contracts and the Reinsured Liabilities (the "Administrative Services").
Section 3.2 Administration. Administrator shall
continue, for the duration of this RICA Administrative Services Agreement, to
administer the claims, reinsurance recoverables and premium activity relating to
the Reinsured Contracts on RSUI's existing systems and to prepare and deliver
reports relating to such administration to Insurer's Computer Systems in
substantially the same manner as RSUI has been doing prior to the Effective Date
and as provided in the Administrative Services Intellectual Property License
Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND CUSTOMER ISSUES
Section 4.1 Certain Regulatory Filings. Administrator
and the Reinsurer shall use best efforts to obtain all policy form, rate and
rule filings necessary to enable Reinsurer or an Affiliate to issue in
Reinsurer's or such Affiliate's own name contracts or policies similar to the
Reinsured Contracts as soon as practicable after the Effective Date.
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Section 4.2 Changes in Applicable Laws. From time to
time, Administrator and Insurer shall share with each other information they
have in their possession relating to material changes in Applicable Laws in
order to ensure the Reinsured Contracts are administered in compliance with
Applicable Laws.
Section 4.3 Inquiries, Notification and Customer
Complaints. Administrator shall promptly notify Insurer regarding any inquiries
or notifications received from Governmental Entities and any inquiries and
complaints received from Producers or other customers with respect to the
Reinsured Contracts and the Reinsured Liabilities.
Section 4.4 Management of Customer Relationships. Each
of Administrator and Insurer shall appoint one senior executive whose
responsibility shall be to work with the other party in overseeing that the
standards and the provisions set forth in this Article IV and elsewhere are
complied with, in particular with respect to issues involving management of
customer relationships.
Section 4.5 Maintenance of Treaty Reinsurance.
(a) Each of Administrator and Reinsurer shall maintain
minimum levels of treaty reinsurance as set forth in SCHEDULE 4.5(a) hereto.
(b) Commencing with any renewal of the treaties set forth
in Schedule 4.5(a), Reinsurer shall purchase a level of catastrophe reinsurance
protection which would protect Reinsurer's surplus loss to no more than 10%
arising out of a single catastrophe on a one in a 250 year modeling event
standard.
(c) All third party reinsurance with respect to the
Reinsured Contracts placed by Administrator in the name of Insurer must comply
with the RSA Reinsurance Security Guidelines attached hereto as EXHIBIT B.
ARTICLE V
AUTHORITY
Section 5.1 Authority
(a) Insurer agrees that, on and after the Effective Date,
Administrator shall have the authority to issue the Reinsured Contracts in
Insurer's name for the benefit of the Reinsurer; provided, however, except as
otherwise required by Applicable Laws, Administrator shall have no authority to
issue the Reinsured Contracts or take other actions authorized under this
Section 5.1 in Insurer's name in any state on or after the earlier of (i) thirty
(30) days after the date the Administrator or an Affiliate of the Administrator
obtains all policy form, rate and rule filings necessary to enable the Reinsurer
or an Affiliate to issue in Reinsurer's or such Affiliate's own name contracts
or policies similar to the RSUI-Produced Insurance Contracts in a particular
state, and (ii) one (1) year after the Effective Date.
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(b) Administrator acknowledges that its authority to
issue the Reinsured Contracts in Insurer's name pursuant to this Section 5.1 is
subject to the following additional limitations: (i) Administrator shall not
assign or delegate its authority to a third party other than the Reinsurer; (ii)
Administrator shall not issue any Reinsured Contracts outside the United States,
(iii) the Reinsured Contracts shall be limited to the type of business
comprising the RSUI-Produced Insurance Contracts as of the date hereof; (iv) in
issuing the Reinsured Contracts, Administrator shall observe similar policy
wordings and policy limits found in the RSUI-Produced Insurance Contracts; (v)
the aggregate gross written premiums attributable to the business ceded under
the Quota Share Reinsurance Agreements collectively (exclusive of the unearned
premium attributable to the Assumed Contracts under the respective Quota Share
Reinsurance Agreement as of the Effective Date) shall not exceed one billion
dollars in the aggregate; provided, however, the aggregate gross written
premiums attributable to the business ceded under the RIC Quota Share
Reinsurance Agreement solely (exclusive of the unearned premium attributable to
the Assumed Contracts under the RIC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement as of the
Effective Date) shall not exceed five hundred million dollars; and (vi) any
other limitations as may be contained in the Managing General Agency Agreement,
dated as of the Closing Date, by and between Insurer and Administrator.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this RICA
Administrative Services Agreement or the RIC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement,
Administrator shall have no authority under the RIC Quota Share Reinsurance
Agreement to issue the Reinsured Contracts in Insurer's name on a non-admitted
or surplus lines basis.
Section 5.2 Administration of Excluded Liabilities.
(a) Insurer shall retain liability and administrative
responsibility for all Excluded Liabilities. Insurer shall reimburse
Administrator for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by
Administrator in connection with the administration of Excluded Liabilities.
(b) With respect to any claims (including claims for
reinsurance recoveries) presented in which both Reinsured Liabilities and
Excluded Liabilities are alleged and where the predominant claim activities and
costs relate to Excluded Liabilities, Administrator, on behalf of Reinsurer,
shall notify Insurer and Insurer will either assume the administration of such
claim activities or fund Administrator's out-of-pocket costs and expenses of
such claim activities to the extent they relate to Excluded Liabilities.
(c) In the event claims are presented in connection with
Reinsured Liabilities, and it is in question whether a Reinsured Liability or an
Excluded Liability is at issue, Administrator, on behalf of Reinsurer, shall
defend or prosecute such claim and Insurer and Administrator shall resolve the
responsibility for any amount of loss, allocated loss expense or other costs and
expenses pursuant to the provisions of the RIC Quota Share Reinsurance
Agreement. In the event that, during the course of a claim, it
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becomes clear that the claim (or a portion thereof) is an Excluded Liability,
Administrator shall notify Insurer and Insurer will either assume the
administration of such claim (or the Excluded Liability portion thereof) or fund
the out-of-pocket costs and expenses of such claim activities to the extent they
relate to Excluded Liabilities.
(d) In the event that a claim (including claims for
reinsurance recoveries) presented in connection with a Reinsured Contract is not
a Reinsured Liability or is an Excluded Liability, Insurer shall have the sole
responsibility to defend or prosecute such claim.
(e) With respect to those matters described in (b), (c)
and (d) of this Section 5.2, the party administering the claim shall be provided
the full cooperation of the other party as well as the Reinsurer and shall be
responsible for reimbursing such other party for any out-of-pocket costs and
expenses incurred by such party in providing such cooperation.
Section 5.3 Marketing and Advertising. Subject to the
terms of the Transitional Trademark License Agreement, Insurer hereby grants
Administrator and the Reinsurer the authority to prepare, print, publish and
distribute descriptive brochures and other promotional material related to the
Reinsured Contracts and to engage in or direct all other marketing activities
related thereto.
ARTICLE VI
OTHER SERVICES AND FEES FOR SERVICES
Section 6.1 Additional Services. If Administrator or
Insurer, as the case may be, requires from the other party services to be
provided with respect to the Reinsured Contracts which are not otherwise
contemplated under this RICA Administrative Services Agreement, the parties
shall negotiate in good faith to reach a mutually acceptable arrangement with
respect to the provision of such services. Each party shall reasonably
compensate such other party for such additional services provided by such other
party.
Section 6.2 Fee for Services. Except as otherwise
specifically provided for by this RICA Administrative Services Agreement,
Administrator shall provide Administrative Services pursuant to this RICA
Administrative Services Agreement at its own expense (or at the expense of the
Reinsurer), subject to the other terms in this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement, in consideration for the promises made by Insurer under this RICA
Administrative Services Agreement, the Acquisition Agreement, the RIC Quota
Share Reinsurance Agreement, the Transition Services Agreement and the other
Ancillary Agreements (as such term is defined in the Acquisition Agreement) to
which it is a party, and shall not receive any separate fee from Insurer for the
provision of Administrative Services.
Section 6.3 Services Provided by Insurer. Insurer agrees
to promptly notify Administrator with respect to any inquiries or notifications
received from
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Governmental Entities or from Producers, including, without limitation,
inquiries regarding consumer inquiries and complaints, market conduct exams,
zone exams, summons and complaints, subpoenas and Internal Revenue Service
inquiries relating to the Reinsured Contracts and the Reinsured Liabilities.
ARTICLE VII
REPORTS, ELECTRONIC PREMIUM AND LOSS DATA
Section 7.1 Reports, Electronic Premium and Loss Data.
(a) Administrator shall collect, administer and provide
to Insurer all necessary quality information and data for Insurer to continue to
maintain financial and statistical data with respect to the Reinsured Contracts
and Reinsured Liabilities in order to permit Insurer to timely make all required
regulatory, statistical, and financial reports and filings. All information and
data provided by Administrator to Insurer pursuant to this Article VII will be
provided as reasonably requested by Insurer. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, Administrator shall prepare all reports needed by Insurer or the
Seller in connection with the Reinsured Liabilities and the Reinsured Contracts
to enable Insurer or the Seller to comply with Applicable Law and any and all
reporting or filing requirements. Any monthly, quarterly or year-end reports
required to be prepared by Administrator shall be prepared on a timely basis in
order for Insurer or the Seller to comply with any filing deadlines required.
(b) During the term of this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement, Administrator shall transmit to Insurer, within thirty (30) days
following the end of each calendar month, a summary report in form and substance
as set forth in EXHIBIT C hereto, of all activity relating to the Reinsured
Contracts and Reinsured Liabilities for the period reported. The report shall
include, but not be limited to, the amount of premiums, commissions, related
expenses, reserves and paid losses, as applicable; provided, however, that
notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall such reports
be deemed to indicate that the Administrator or the Reinsurer has any obligation
to pay to the Insurer any amount in respect of Excluded Liabilities which may be
reflected on such reports.
Section 7.2 Payment of Amounts. Except to the extent
that this RICA Administrative Services Agreement or the RIC Quota Share
Reinsurance Agreement provides otherwise and regardless of whether any amounts
due to either party are being disputed pursuant to the provisions of Article XV
hereof, all amounts due either party under this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement shall be paid on or before the thirtieth (30th) Business Days of
delivery of such report, and any amount not paid on or before the thirtieth
(30th) Business Day period shall bear simple interest at the 90-Day Treasury
Rate from the twentieth Business Day until the date of payment.
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ARTICLE VIII
BOOKS AND RECORDS; BANK ACCOUNTS
Section 8.1 Access to Books and Records.
(a) To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, from the
date hereof until the date on which Insurer has fulfilled all of its obligations
to Administrator under this RICA Administrative Services Agreement, and at any
time (without limitation) as may be required in Administrator's reasonable
judgment in order for Administrator to comply with any Applicable Law or to
perform its obligations or responsibilities under this RICA Administrative
Services Agreement, Administrator and its Representatives may from time to time
reasonably request, and Insurer shall provide, at reasonable times during normal
business hours, full and open access to examine all Books and Records under the
control of Insurer pertaining to the Reinsured Contracts, the Reinsured
Liabilities and the RSUI-Produced Insurance Contracts, and services to be
provided under this RICA Administrative Services Agreement, and to discuss any
matters relating to the Reinsured Contracts or the Reinsured Liabilities and
services to be provided under this RICA Administrative Services Agreement with
the employees and agents of Insurer who are familiar therewith, so that
Administrator shall have sufficient opportunity to make whatever investigation
it shall deem necessary and desirable in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this RICA Administrative Services Agreement. The Administrator
shall also have reasonable access to Insurer's Computer Systems and accounting
systems for such purposes. Such access and opportunity shall be exercised by
Administrator and such Representatives in a manner that shall not interfere
unreasonably with the operations of Insurer. Such access shall include the right
of Administrator to make and retain copies of any Books and Records relating to
the Reinsured Contracts or the Reinsured Liabilities to the extent that
Administrator reasonably determines that it requires copies of any such Books
and Records in order to carry out the transactions contemplated by this RICA
Administrative Services Agreement or for any legitimate business purposes
related to this RICA Administrative Services Agreement.
(b) To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, from the
date hereof until the date on which Administrator has fulfilled all of its
obligations to perform services for Insurer under this RICA Administrative
Services Agreement, and at any time (without limitation) as may be required in
the reasonable judgment of Insurer for Insurer to comply with any Applicable Law
or to perform its obligations or responsibilities under this RICA Administrative
Services Agreement, Insurer and its Representatives may from time to time
reasonably request, and Administrator shall provide, at reasonable times during
normal business hours, full and open access to examine the Books and Records of
Administrator and of its independent auditor pertaining to the Reinsured
Contracts, the Reinsured Liabilities and the RSUI-Produced Insurance Contracts,
and to the services to be provided under this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement (including, but not limited to, the Books and Records transferred to
Administrator pursuant to this Section 8.1 and still then retained by
Administrator) and to discuss such Reinsured Contracts, Reinsured Liabilities
and services with the employees and agents of Administrator who are familiar
therewith, so that Insurer shall have sufficient opportunity to make whatever
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investigation it shall deem necessary and desirable in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this RICA Administrative Services Agreement. Such
access and opportunity shall be exercised by Insurer and such Representatives in
a manner that shall not interfere unreasonably with the operations of
Administrator. Such access shall include the right of Insurer to make and retain
copies of any Books and Records relating to the Reinsured Contracts and
Reinsured Liabilities to the extent that Insurer reasonably determines that it
requires copies of any such Books and Records in order to carry out the
transactions contemplated by this RICA Administrative Services Agreement or for
any legitimate business purposes related to this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement.
(c) During the term of this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement, Administrator shall retain all Books and Records relating to the
Reinsured Contracts and Reinsured Liabilities transferred by Insurer or produced
by Administrator on behalf of Insurer to the extent such Books and Records are
required by Applicable Law to be retained by either Administrator or Insurer,
but in any case, for at least ten (10) years after termination of the Reinsured
Contracts applicable to such Books and Records.
(d) Each party hereto shall pay all storage and related
expenses associated with any Books and Records relating to the Reinsured
Contracts and Reinsured Liabilities, and copies thereof, that it retains in its
possession.
(e) Administrator shall provide security for the Books
and Records that are in its possession. Administrator shall comply with all
Applicable Laws, including, without limitation, privacy laws applicable to the
Insurer, in connection with all such data and Books and Records. Administrator
shall cooperate with any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over Insurer
in providing access to such Books and Records.
(f) Following expiration of this RICA Administrative
Services Agreement other than by reason of Insurer's termination pursuant to
Section 11.2 hereof, all Books and Records pertaining to the Reinsured Contracts
and Reinsured Liabilities shall be the sole property of Reinsurer, unless
otherwise provided by Applicable Law or herein and provided that Insurer shall
have full access to such Books and Records to the extent required to respond to
regulatory, statistical, tax or similar inquiries or investigations and for
Insurer to defend any claim against it.
Section 8.2 Bank Accounts
(a) During the term of this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement, Administrator may establish and maintain accounts with banking
institutions to provide the Administrative Services (the "Bank Accounts"). The
Administrator shall have the exclusive authority over the Bank Accounts
including, within reason, the exclusive authority to (i) open the Bank Accounts
in the name of Insurer, (ii) designate the authorized signatories on the Bank
Accounts, (iii) issue drafts on and make deposits in the Bank Accounts in the
name of Insurer, and (iv) make withdrawals from the Bank Accounts. The
Administrator agrees to limit transactions using these Bank Accounts to only
those transactions that pertain to the RIC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement.
Insurer shall do all things reasonably necessary to enable Administrator to open
and
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maintain the Bank Accounts including, without limitation, executing and
delivering such depository resolutions and other documents as may be requested
from time to time by the banking institutions. Insurer agrees that without
Administrator's prior written consent or as may be required by Applicable Law or
regulatory authorization it shall not make any changes to the authorized
signatories on the Bank Accounts or attempt to withdraw any funds therefrom.
Administrator and the Reinsurer will have the sole obligation to the Bank
Accounts and shall own all funds deposited in the Bank Accounts. Administrator
shall be responsible for all abandoned property laws requirements and
obligations, and shall pay all fees and charges made in connection with such
accounts.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this RICA
Administrative Services Agreement to the contrary, the Administrator shall have
no authority to borrow money or incur any indebtedness on behalf of the Insurer
or permit any Bank Accounts to become overdrawn.
ARTICLE IX
INABILITY TO PERFORM SERVICES; ERRORS
Section 9.1 Inability to Perform Services. In the event
that Administrator shall be unable to perform any Administrative Service for a
period that could reasonably be expected to exceed ninety (90) days or such
shorter period as may be required by Applicable Law or the Reinsured Contracts,
Administrator and Insurer shall mutually agree on alternative means of providing
such services. If alternative means for the provision of the Administrative
Services cannot be agreed upon by the parties, Insurer may procure such
Administrative Services for the Reinsured Contracts and Reinsured Liabilities by
commercially reasonable means. Administrator and the Reinsurer shall be solely
responsible for all costs incurred in restoring Administrative Services which
have not been provided due to its failure to adhere to its obligations under
this RICA Administrative Services Agreement.
Section 9.2 Errors. Administrator shall, at its own
expense, correct any errors in the Administrative Services caused by it within a
reasonable time (not to exceed thirty (30) days) after receiving written notice
thereof from Insurer or otherwise.
ARTICLE X
LEGAL ACTIONS
Section 10.1 Regulatory Proceedings.
(a) If Insurer or Administrator receive notice of, or
otherwise become aware of, any regulatory investigation or proceeding relating
to the Reinsured Contracts or the Reinsured Liabilities, Insurer or
Administrator, as applicable, shall promptly notify the other party thereof.
Subject to the provisions of Section 10.1(c), Administrator shall have the
authority to respond to and resolve all regulatory matters and regulatory
investigations and proceedings relating to the Reinsured Contracts and Reinsured
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Liabilities to the extent the resolution is limited to the Reinsured Contracts
or Reinsured Liabilities.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 10.1(c),
Administrator will promptly respond on behalf of Insurer to inquiries received
from Governmental Entities and Administrator shall conduct whatever
investigation is reasonable under the circumstances in order to respond to such
inquiries. Administrator shall promptly notify in writing Insurer of any inquiry
to which Administrator determines that it will not provide a response in order
to permit the Insurer to timely respond.
(c) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the
contrary, the parties shall mutually agree to an appropriate response, including
which party should respond, to any regulatory investigation or proceeding
relating to the Reinsured Contracts or the Reinsured Liabilities which could
reasonably be expected to have meaningful adverse effect on any business of the
Insurer other than the Reinsured Contracts, or which could meaningfully and
adversely interfere with the business, assets, liabilities, obligations,
reputation, license, permit, financial condition or results of operations of
Insurer or any of its Affiliates (a "Material Regulatory Proceeding"), and the
parties hereby agree to cooperate and coordinate in resolving any and all
Material Regulatory Proceedings. The parties recognize that, as the issuing
company, Insurer retains ultimate responsibility for resolution of the matters
contemplated by this Section 10.1. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this RICA Administrative Services Agreement, neither Insurer nor
Administrator shall have the authority to institute, prosecute, defend or
maintain any legal or regulatory proceedings on behalf of the other party
without the prior written consent of such other party except to the extent
expressly provided for by this RICA Administrative Services Agreement.
Section 10.2 Compliance of Reinsured Contracts. Insurer,
Administrator and Reinsurer agree to cooperate with each other and the various
Governmental Entities in maintaining the Reinsured Contracts in compliance in
all material respects with Applicable Laws. If Administrator determines that any
of the Reinsured Contracts are materially not in compliance with such Applicable
Laws, Administrator shall so notify in writing Insurer and take whatever action
is reasonably necessary to bring such Reinsured Contracts into compliance with
Applicable Law. Administrator shall prepare any necessary amendments to such
Reinsured Contracts and shall prepare any necessary filings for the purpose of
obtaining governmental authority approval for such amendments.
Section 10.3 Defense of Litigation. Administrator and
Reinsurer shall defend, at their own expense and in the name of Insurer when
necessary, any action brought in connection with any Reinsured Contract or
relating to any Reinsured Liability; provided, however, Insurer shall have the
right, at its own expense, to engage its own separate legal representation and
to fully participate in the defense of any litigation with respect to the
Reinsured Contracts or the Reinsured Liabilities in which Insurer is named as a
party without waiving any rights to indemnification it may have under Article
XIII hereof; provided, however, that Administrator and Reinsurer shall have the
exclusive authority to control such litigation, and to settle any litigation if
(i) Administrator and
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Reinsurer pay all settlement amounts with respect thereto, (ii) the settlement
does not involve any restriction or condition which could reasonably be expected
to have an adverse effect on Insurer's business other than the Reinsured
Contracts, and (iii) Administrator or Reinsurer obtains a complete release for
Insurer, its officers, directors, Representatives and Affiliates with respect to
such litigation.
Section 10.4 Communications Regarding Certain Matters.
Insurer shall promptly (i) notify Administrator in writing if it receives any
information or correspondence with respect to any suit, claim, action or
proceeding relating to the Reinsured Contracts or the Reinsured Liabilities, or
any written communication threatening any of the foregoing and (ii) forward to
Administrator any documents it receives relating to any of the matters referred
to in clause (i) of this Section 10.4.
ARTICLE XI
DURATION; TERMINATION
Section 11.1 Duration. This RICA Administrative Services
Agreement shall become effective as of the Effective Date and continue until a
date which is the earlier of (A) a date which is the later of (i) the date on
which none of the Reinsured Contracts remains in force; (ii) the date on which
Insurer has no further Reinsured Liabilities; or (iii) the date on which no
further Administrative Services are required, or (B) the date on which this RICA
Administrative Services Agreement is terminated according to the provisions of
Section 11.2 hereof.
Section 11.2 Termination.
(a) This RICA Administrative Services Agreement may be
terminated at any time upon the mutual written consent of the parties hereto,
which writing shall state the effective date and relevant terms of termination.
(b) This RICA Administrative Services Agreement is
subject to immediate termination at the option of Insurer, upon written notice
to Administrator upon the issuance of an order of liquidation or rehabilitation
against the Reinsurer or bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against the
Administrator; provided, however, that in the event an order of liquidation or
rehabilitation is issued against the Reinsurer, before Insurer may terminate
this RICA Administrative Services Agreement, Administrator or Reinsurer shall
have the opportunity to contest or appeal such order for a period of sixty (60)
days from the date of issuance.
(c) Upon termination of this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement pursuant to Section 11.2(a) or (b) hereof, Administrator and Reinsurer
shall cooperate fully in the prompt transfer of the applicable Administrative
Services and Books and Records maintained by Administrator pursuant to Section
8.1 hereof (or, where appropriate, copies thereof) to Insurer or Insurer's
designee, so that Insurer or its designee shall be able to perform the
applicable Administrative Services without interruption following termination of
this RICA Administrative Services Agreement.
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(d) Upon any termination of this Administrative Services
Agreement, each party shall retain its right to bring actions for, and receive
damages to, which it may be entitled under Applicable Law.
ARTICLE XII
CONFIDENTIALITY
Section 12.1 Use of Confidential Information. Insurer,
Reinsurer and Administrator acknowledge that they will have access to
confidential and proprietary information concerning the other party and its
businesses, which information is not readily available to the public, and
acknowledge that Insurer, Reinsurer and Administrator have taken and will
continue to take reasonable actions to ensure such information is not made
available to the public. Insurer, Reinsurer and Administrator further agree that
they will not at any time (during the term hereof or thereafter) disclose to any
Person (except Insurer, Reinsurer or Administrator and their Affiliates and the
officers, directors, employees, agents and Representatives of Insurer, Reinsurer
and Administrator and their Affiliates who require such information in order to
perform their duties in connection with the services provided hereunder),
directly or indirectly, or make any use of, for any purpose other than those
contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement, this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement or the RIC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement, any information or trade
secrets relating to the Reinsured Contracts or the Reinsured Liabilities or the
business affairs of Insurer, Reinsurer or Administrator, including the identity
of and/or the compensation arrangements with, any Affiliates and Subsidiaries of
Insurer, Reinsurer and Administrator, so long as such information remains
confidential.
Section 12.2 Confidentiality of Individuals. Information
that identifies an individual covered under one of the Reinsured Contracts may
be confidential. Reinsurer and Administrator shall take all reasonable
precautions to prevent disclosure or use of information identifying individuals
covered under such Reinsured Contracts for a purpose unrelated to the
performance of this RICA Administrative Services Agreement. Reinsurer and
Administrator shall comply with all Applicable Laws and regulations, as in
effect on the date hereof or as hereafter adopted or amended. With respect to
Reinsured Contracts reinsured by Reinsurer, Insurer shall take all reasonable
precautions to prevent disclosure or use of information identifying individuals
for a purpose unrelated to the performance of this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement.
Section 12.3 Disclosure. Reinsurer, Administrator or
Insurer may disclose confidential information in the following circumstances (or
as otherwise provided by the provisions of this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement):
(i) in response to a court order or formal
discovery request after notice to the other party (to the extent such
notice is reasonably practicable); provided, however, that such
disclosure shall be limited only to the extent that is required by such
court order or formal disclosure request;
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(ii) if a proper request is made by any
regulatory authority after notice to the other party (to the extent
such notice is reasonably practicable); provided, however, that such
disclosure shall be limited only to the extent that is required by such
regulatory authority;
(iii) at the proper request of Insurer or
Policyholder or his/her legal representative; provided, however, that
such disclosure shall be limited only to the extent that is reasonably
necessary to satisfy such a request; or
(iv) as otherwise required by Applicable Law or
the rules of any relevant stock exchange.
ARTICLE XIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 13.1 Indemnification by Insurer. Insurer hereby
indemnifies Administrator and its Affiliates and its and their respective
officers, directors, employees, agents and Representatives against, and agrees
to hold each of them harmless from any and all Damages incurred or suffered by
any of them arising out of or relating to, (i) any Excluded Liabilities; (ii)
any breach or nonfulfillment by Insurer of, or any failure by Insurer to
perform, any of the covenants, terms or conditions of, or any duties or
obligations under, this RICA Administrative Services Agreement; and (iii) any
enforcement of this indemnity.
Section 13.2 Indemnification by Administrator.
Administrator hereby indemnifies Insurer and its Affiliates and its and their
respective officers, directors, employees, agents and Representatives against,
and agrees to hold each of them harmless from any and all Damages incurred or
suffered by any of them arising out of or relating to, (i) any Reinsured
Liabilities; (ii) any breach or nonfulfillment by Administrator of, or any
failure by Administrator to perform, any of the covenants, terms or conditions
of, or any duties or obligations under, this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement; and (iii) any enforcement of this indemnity.
Section 13.3 Indemnification Procedure. In the event
either Insurer or Administrator shall have a claim for indemnity against the
other party under the terms of this RICA Administrative Services Agreement, the
parties shall follow the procedures set forth in Article XV of the Acquisition
Agreement.
Section 13.4 Relationship to RIC Quota Share Reinsurance
Agreement. Nothing contained in this Article XIII is intended to supersede any
provisions of the RIC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement.
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ARTICLE XIV
ARBITRATION
Section 14.1 Arbitration. As a condition precedent to any
cause of action, any and all disputes between Insurer on one side and
Administrator and Reinsurer on the other side arising out of, relating to, or
concerning this RICA Administrative Services Agreement, whether sounding in
contract or tort and whether arising during or after termination of this RICA
Administrative Services Agreement, including whether the dispute is subject to
arbitration, shall be submitted to the decision of a board of arbitration
composed of two arbitrators and an umpire ("Board") meeting at a site in
Wilmington, Delaware. The arbitration shall be conducted under the Federal
Arbitration Act and shall proceed as set forth below.
Section 14.2 Notice of Arbitration. A notice requesting
arbitration, or any other notice made in connection therewith, shall be in
writing and shall be sent certified or registered mail, return receipt requested
to the affected parties. The notice requesting arbitration shall state in
particulars all issues to be resolved in the view of the claimant, shall appoint
the arbitrator selected by the claimant and shall set a tentative date for the
hearing, which date shall be no sooner than ninety (90) days and no later than
one hundred fifty (150) days from the date that the notice requesting
arbitration is mailed. Within thirty (30) days of receipt of claimant's notice,
the respondent shall notify claimant of any additional issues to be resolved in
the arbitration and of the name of its appointed arbitrator.
Section 14.3 Arbitration Panel. Unless otherwise mutually
agreed, the members of the Board shall be impartial and disinterested and shall
be active or former executive officers of property-casualty insurance companies,
reinsurance companies, or Lloyd's Underwriters or active or inactive lawyers
with at least twenty (20) years of experience in insurance and reinsurance.
Insurer and Administrator shall each appoint an arbitrator and the two (2)
arbitrators shall choose an umpire before instituting the hearing. If the
respondent fails to appoint its arbitrator within thirty (30) days after having
received claimant's written request for arbitration, the claimant is authorized
to and shall appoint the second arbitrator. If the two arbitrators fail to agree
upon the appointment of an umpire within thirty (30) days after notification of
the appointment of the second arbitrator, within ten (10) days thereof, the two
(2) arbitrators shall request the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") to
appoint an umpire for the arbitration with the qualifications set forth in this
Article. If the AAA fails to name an umpire, either party may apply to the court
named below to appoint an umpire with the above required qualifications. The
umpire shall promptly notify in writing all parties to the arbitration of his
selection and of the scheduled date for the hearing. Upon resignation or death
of any member of the Board, a replacement shall be appointed in the same fashion
as the resigning or deceased member was appointed.
Section 14.4 Submission of Briefs. The claimant and
respondent shall each submit initial briefs to the Board outlining the issues in
dispute and the basis, authority and reasons for their respective positions
within thirty (30) days of the date of
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notice of appointment of the umpire. The claimant and the respondent may submit
reply briefs to the Board within ten (10) days after filing of the initial
brief(s). Initial and reply briefs may be amended by the submitting party at any
time, but not later than ten (10) days prior to the date of commencement of the
arbitration hearing. Reasonable responses shall be allowed at the arbitration
hearing to new material contained in any amendments filed to the briefs but not
previously responded to.
Section 14.5 Arbitration Board's Decision. The Board
shall make a decision and award with regard to the terms of this RICA
Administrative Services Agreement and the original intentions of the parties to
the extent reasonably ascertainable. The Board's decision and award shall be in
writing and shall state the factual and legal basis for the decision and award.
The decision and award shall be based upon a hearing in which evidence shall be
allowed and which the formal rules of evidence shall not strictly apply but in
which cross examination and rebuttal shall be allowed. At its own election or at
the request of the Board, either party may submit a post-hearing brief for
consideration of the Board within twenty (20) days of the close of the hearing.
The Board shall make its decision and award within thirty (30) days following
the close of the hearing or the submission of post-hearing briefs, whichever is
later, unless the parties consent to an extension. Every decision by the Board
shall be by a majority of the members of the Board and each decision and award
by the majority of the members of the Board shall be final and binding upon all
parties to the proceeding.
Section 14.6 Jurisdiction. Either party may apply to the
Chancery Court of the State of Delaware for an order compelling arbitration or
confirming any decision and the award; a judgment of that court shall thereupon
be entered on any decision or award. If such an order is issued, the attorneys'
fees of the party so applying and court costs will be paid by the party against
whom confirmation is sought. The Board may award interest calculated from the
date the Board determines that any amounts due the prevailing party should have
been paid to the prevailing party.
Section 14.7 Expenses. Each party shall bear the expense
of the one arbitrator appointed by it and shall jointly and equally bear with
the other party the expense of any stenographer requested, and of the umpire.
Section 14.8 Production of Documents and Witnesses.
Subject to customary and recognized legal rules of privilege, each party
participating in the arbitration shall have the obligation to produce those
documents and as witnesses to the arbitration those of its employees as any
other participating party reasonably requests providing always that the same
witnesses and documents be obtainable and relevant to the issues before the
arbitration and not be unduly burdensome or excessive. The parties may mutually
agree as to pre-hearing discovery prior to the arbitration hearing and in the
absence of agreement, upon the request of any party, pre-hearing discovery may
be conducted as the Board shall determine in its sole discretion to be in the
interest of fairness, full disclosure, and a prompt hearing, decision and award
by the Board. The Board shall be the final judge of the procedures of the Board,
the conduct of the arbitration, of the rules of evidence, the rules of privilege
and production and of excessiveness and relevancy of any witnesses and documents
upon the petition of any
19
participating party. To the extent permitted by law, the Board shall have the
authority to issue subpoenas and other orders to enforce their decisions.
Section 14.9 Relief Available. Nothing herein shall be
construed to prevent any participating party from applying to the Chancery Court
of the State of Delaware to issue a restraining order or other equitable relief
to maintain the "status quo" of the parties participating in the arbitration
pending the decision and award by the Board or to prevent any party from
incurring irreparable harm or damage at any time prior to the decision and award
of the Board. The Board shall also have the authority to issue interim decisions
or awards in the interest of fairness, full disclosure, and a prompt and orderly
hearing and decision and award by the Board.
Section 14.10 Consolidation. In the event that there is a
dispute between the Insurer, on one side, and Administrator and the Reinsurer on
the other, which implicates the provisions of this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement and the RIC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement, Insurer and
Administrator hereby agree to consolidate any such dispute under such agreements
in a single arbitration proceeding.
ARTICLE XV
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 15.1 Cooperation. The parties hereto shall
cooperate in a commercially reasonable manner in order that the duties assumed
by Administrator will be effectively, efficiently and promptly discharged. The
parties hereto will use their best efforts to (i) give effect to the intent of
this RICA Administrative Services Agreement, the Acquisition Agreement, the RIC
Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement and the other Ancillary Agreements and (ii)
refrain from conduct which would frustrate the intent of any such agreement.
Each party shall, at all reasonable times under the circumstances, make
available to the other party properly authorized personnel for the purpose of
consultation and decision.
Section 15.2 Amendment, Modification and Waiver. This
RICA Administrative Services Agreement may not be amended, modified or waived
except by an instrument or instruments in writing signed and delivered on behalf
of each of the parties hereto.
Section 15.3 Relationship. Insurer and Administrator are
and shall remain independent contractors and not employees of the other party.
Except as expressly granted in this RICA Administrative Services Agreement or
otherwise by the other party in writing or as may be required by Applicable Law
or as necessary to perform the services to be provided hereunder or to obtain
the benefits hereof, no party shall have any authority, express or implied, to
act as an agent of the other party or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates under this
RICA Administrative Services Agreement. Except as otherwise provided by this
RICA Administrative Services Agreement or by any other agreement between the
parties, each party shall be responsible for the payment of all employment,
income and social security taxes arising in connection with the
20
compensation payable to its personnel involved in the provision of the services
hereunder.
Section 15.4 Entire Agreement. This RICA Administrative
Services Agreement (together with the exhibits hereto and the other agreements,
documents and instruments delivered in connection herewith) the Acquisition
Agreement, the RIC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement and the other Ancillary
Agreements constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all other prior agreements and
understandings, both written and verbal, among the parties or any of them with
respect to the subject matter hereof.
Section 15.5 Governing Law. This RICA Administrative
Services Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise
govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.
Section 15.6 Severability. Any term or provision of this
RICA Administrative Services Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of
such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable
the remaining terms and provisions of this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or
provisions of this RICA Administrative Services Agreement in any other
jurisdiction. If any provision of this RICA Administrative Services Agreement is
so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only
so broad as would be enforceable.
Section 15.7 Counterparts. This RICA Administrative
Services Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same
agreement.
Section 15.8 Consent to Jurisdiction. Each of the
parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the state and federal court located in the State of Delaware for
the purposes of enforcing this RICA Administrative Services Agreement or the
other Ancillary Agreements. If any action is brought in a state court, the
parties shall take such actions as are within their control to cause any matter
contemplated hereby to be assigned to the Chancery Court in the State of
Delaware. In any action, suit or other proceeding, each of the parties hereto
irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to assert by way of
motion, as a defense or otherwise any claims that it is not subject to the
jurisdiction of the above courts, that such action or suit is brought in an
inconvenient forum or that the venue of such action, suit or other proceeding is
improper. Each of the parties hereto also agrees that any final and unappealable
judgment against a party hereto in connection with any action, suit or other
proceeding shall be conclusive and binding on such party and that such award or
judgment may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction, either within
or outside of the United States. A certified or exemplified copy of such award
or judgment shall be conclusive evidence of the fact and amount of such award or
judgment.
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Section 15.9 Third Party Beneficiaries. Except for the
provisions of Article XIII, nothing in this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any Person
other than the parties hereto any rights, benefits or remedies of any nature
whatsoever under or by reason of this RICA Administrative Services Agreement.
Section 15.10 Binding; Assignment. This RICA
Administrative Services Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and legal
representatives. Neither this RICA Administrative Services Agreement, nor any
rights, interests or obligations hereunder, may be directly or indirectly
assigned, delegated, sublicensed or transferred by any party to this RICA
Administrative Services Agreement, in whole or in part, to any other Person
(including any bankruptcy trustee) by operation of law or otherwise, whether
voluntarily or involuntarily, without the prior written consent of the parties
hereto.
Section 15.11 Specific Performance. The parties recognize
and agree that if for any reason any of the provisions of this RICA
Administrative Services Agreement are not performed in accordance with their
specific terms or are otherwise breached, immediate and irreparable harm or
injury would be caused for which money damages would not be an adequate remedy.
Accordingly, each party agrees that, in addition to any other available
remedies, each other party shall be entitled to an injunction restraining any
violation or threatened violation of any of the provisions of this RICA
Administrative Services Agreement without the necessity of posting a bond or
other form of security. In the event that any action should be brought in equity
to enforce any of the provisions of this RICA Administrative Services Agreement,
no party will allege, and each party hereby waives the defense, that there is an
adequate remedy at law.
Section 15.12 Descriptive Headings. The descriptive
article and section headings herein are inserted for convenience of reference
only and are not intended to be part of or to affect the meaning or
interpretation of this RICA Administrative Services Agreement.
Section 15.13 Expenses. Unless otherwise specifically
provided herein or in the Acquisition Agreement, Transition Services Agreement
or RIC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred in
connection with this RICA Administrative Services Agreement shall be paid by the
party incurring such cost or expense.
Section 15.14 Use of Name. Except as otherwise set forth
in the Acquisition Agreement, the RIC Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement or the
other Ancillary Agreements, neither party shall use the name, trademark, service
xxxx, logo or identification of the other party without the other party's prior
written consent.
Section 15.15 Survival. The provisions of Article XII,
Article XIII and Article XV hereof shall survive the termination of this RICA
Administrative Services Agreement.
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Section 15.16 Subcontracting. Administrator may
subcontract for the performance of any Administrative Services that
Administrator is to provide hereunder upon receipt of the prior written consent
of Insurer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed;
provided, however, that such subcontracting shall not be deemed to relieve
Administrator of its obligations under this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement.
Section 15.17 Notices. All notices, requests, claims,
demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in
person, by facsimile (which is confirmed), by courier (delivery of which is
confirmed) or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt
requested) to the respective parties to this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement as follows:
If to Insurer:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
General Counsel
Royal Group, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx.
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice to Insurer
for purposes of this Section 15.17):
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Xxxxxxx & Xxxx LLP
Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Telephone No.: 000-000-0000
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000
23
If to Administrator:
Royal Specialty Underwriting, Inc.
Xx. Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Executive Vice President
000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile No: (000) 000-0000
With copies to (which shall not constitute notice to the
Administrator for purposes of this Section 15.17):
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx, Esq.
General Counsel
Alleghany Corporation
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
and
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx LLP
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
If to Reinsurer:
Underwriters Reinsurance Company.
Xx. Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Executive Vice President
c/o Royal Specialty Underwriting, Inc.
000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile No: (000) 000-0000
With copies to (which shall not constitute notice to the
Reinsurer for purposes of this Section 15.17):
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx, Esq.
General Counsel
24
Alleghany Corporation
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
and
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx LLP
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
or to such other address as the person to whom notice is given may have
previously furnished to the others in writing in the manner set forth above. In
no event shall the provision of notice pursuant to this Section 15.17 constitute
notice for service of any writ, process or summons in any suit, action or other
proceeding.
Section 15.18 Interpretation.
(a) When a reference is made in this RICA Administrative
Services Agreement to a Section or Article, such reference shall be to a section
or article of this RICA Administrative Services Agreement unless otherwise
clearly indicated to the contrary. Whenever the words "include", "includes" or
"including" are used in this RICA Administrative Services Agreement, they shall
be deemed to be followed by the words "without limitation." The words "hereof,"
"herein" and "herewith" and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise
stated, be construed to refer to this RICA Administrative Services Agreement as
a whole and not to any particular provision of this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement. The meaning assigned to each term used in this RICA Administrative
Services Agreement shall be equally applicable to both the singular and the
plural forms of such term, and words denoting any gender shall include all
genders. Where a word or phrase is defined herein, each of its other grammatical
forms shall have a corresponding meaning.
(b) The parties have participated jointly in the
negotiation and drafting of this RICA Administrative Services Agreement;
consequently, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation
arises, this RICA Administrative Services Agreement shall be construed as if
drafted jointly by the parties thereto, and no presumption or burden of proof
shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any
provisions of this RICA Administrative Services Agreement.
25
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this RICA Administrative Services
Agreement has been duly executed by a duly authorized officer of each party
hereto as of the date first above written.
ROYAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF
AMERICA
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: President and Chief
Executive Officer
ROYAL SPECIALTY UNDERWRITING, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
--------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Chairman
UNDERWRITERS REINSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: President
