SURCHARGE FOR CERTAIN NONCOMPLIANT STRUCTURES

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), an insurance policy insuring a noncompliant residential structure under Section 2210.251(f) is subject to an annual premium surcharge in an amount equal to 15 percent of the premium for insurance coverage obtained through the association. The surcharge under this subsection applies to each policy issued or renewed by the association on or after the effective date of Sections 5 through 49, H.B. No. 4409, Acts of the 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, and is due on the issuance or renewal of the policy. (a-1) For a policy insuring a noncompliant residential structure eligible for coverage under Section 2210.258(c), the association shall charge: (1) a premium based on the rate charged in the voluntary market for the portion of the canceled or nonrenewed policy that provides windstorm and hail insurance coverage for the applicable risk; and (2) an annual premium surcharge in an amount equal to 10 percent of that premium. (b) A premium surcharge collected under this section shall be deposited in the catastrophe reserve trust fund. A premium surcharge under this section is a separate nonrefundable charge in addition to the premiums collected and is not subject to premium tax or commissions. Failure to pay the surcharge by a policyholder constitutes failure to pay premium for purposes of policy cancellation. (c) The commissioner by rule may provide for a discount of, or a credit against, a surcharge assessed under Subsection (a) in instances in which a policyholder demonstrates that the noncompliant structure was constructed with at least one structural building component that complies with the building code standards set forth in the plan of operation.