Eligibility; application

A. (1) Any person having an insurable interest in insurable property is entitled to apply to the governing committee of the plan, directly or through a representative, for such coverage and for an inspection of the property. Every such application shall be submitted on forms prescribed by the governing committee of the plan and approved by the commissioner of insurance, which application shall contain a statement as to whether or not there are any unpaid premiums due from the applicant for fire insurance on the property. (2) The term "insurable interest" as used in this Subsection shall be deemed to include any lawful and substantial economic interest in the safety or preservation of property from loss, destruction, or pecuniary damage. B. If the governing committee of the plan determines that the property is insurable and that there is no unpaid premium due from the applicant for prior insurance on the property, the governing committee of the plan upon receipt of the premium, or such portion thereof as is prescribed in the plan, shall cause to be issued a policy of essential property insurance for a term of one year. Any policy issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be renewed annually, upon payment of premium due, so long as the property meets the definition of "insurable property" as set forth in R.S. 22:2322(4). C. If the governing committee of the plan, for any reason, denies an application and refuses to cause to be issued an insurance policy on insurable property to any applicant or takes no action on an application within the time prescribed in the plan, such applicant may appeal to the commissioner of insurance and, after reviewing the facts, he may direct the governing committee of the plan to issue or cause to be issued an insurance policy to the applicant. In carrying out its duties pursuant to this Section, the commissioner of insurance may request and the governing committee of the plan shall provide any information the commissioner deems necessary to a determination concerning the reasons for the denial or delay of the application.