Delaware Code Title 18. Insurance Code § 4970. Finding;  purpose

(a) It is determined and declared as a matter of legislative finding that policyholders of a mutual insurer have contractual rights to insurance coverage and certain membership rights consisting principally of the right to elect directors of a mutual insurer, the right to vote on certain fundamental transactions undertaken by a mutual insurer, and the right to share in surplus in the event of a solvent liquidation of a mutual insurer.  It is determined and declared that the membership rights of policyholders in a domestic mutual company existing as of October 17, 2010, who vote to make such mutual company subject to this chapter, or policyholders of a foreign mutual insurer who vote to redomesticate to Delaware pursuant to § 4974 of this title, are not equivalent to an ownership interest in such mutual insurer and that, in connection with the mutual to stock conversion of a mutual insurer, the grant to policyholders of a first priority right to purchase stock in the converting company or a holding company for such converting company is adequate compensation for the relinquishment of the membership rights of a policyholder.  The General Assembly determines that it is desirable to provide for the conversion of a mutual insurer from the mutual form to the stock form in a manner similar to the manner in which mutual savings institutions convert from mutual to stock form under federal law and regulation.

(b) It is further determined and declared that the purpose and policy of this chapter shall be: