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2003 SESSION


CHAPTER 750
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 55-210.4:1 and 55-210.12 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 55-210.4:2, relating to the disposition of unclaimed property; insurance company demutualization.
[S 1133]
Approved March 20, 2003

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 55-210.4:1 and 55-210.12 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted, and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 55-210.4:2 as follows:

§ 55-210.4:1. When intangible personal property held by insurance corporation subject to § 55-210.2:1.

An insurance corporation holding any other intangible personal property not covered by subsection A of § 55-210.4:01 or § 55-210.4:2 shall be otherwise subject to § 55-210.2:1.

§ 55-210.4:2. Unclaimed demutualization proceeds.

Unclaimed property payable or distributable in the course of the demutualization of an insurance company is presumed abandoned five years after the earlier of (i) the date of last contact with the policyholder or (ii) the date the property became payable or distributable. The report filed on November 1, 2003 will include demutualization distribution property for which there has been no policyholder contact for the five years prior to June 30, 2003.

§ 55-210.12. Report and remittance to be made by holder of funds or property presumed abandoned; holder to exercise due diligence to locate owner.

A. Every person holding funds or other property, tangible or intangible, presumed abandoned under this chapter shall report and remit to the administrator with respect to the property as hereinafter provided.

B. The report shall be verified and shall include:

1. The name and social security or federal identification number, if known, and last known address, including ZIP code, if any, of each person appearing from the records of the holder to be the owner of any property of the value of $100 or more presumed abandoned under this chapter;

2. In case of unclaimed funds of insurance corporations, the full name of the insured or annuitant and any beneficiary, if known, and the last known address according to the insurance corporation's records;

3. In the case of the contents of a safe deposit box or other safekeeping repository or in the case of other tangible property, a description of the property and the place where it is held and may be inspected by the administrator, and any amounts owing to the holder;

4. The nature and identifying number, if any, or description of the property and the amount appearing from the records to be due, except that items of value under $100 each may be reported in aggregate;

5. The date when the property became payable, demandable, or returnable, and the date of the last transaction with the owner with respect to the property; and

6. Other information which the administrator prescribes by rule as reasonably necessary for the administration of this chapter.

C. If the person holding property presumed abandoned is a successor to other persons who previously held the property for the owner, or if the holder has changed his name while holding the property, he shall file with his report all prior known names and addresses of each holder of the property.

D. The report and remittance, including the remittance of unclaimed demutualization proceeds made pursuant to § 55-210.4:2, shall be filed before November 1 of each year as of June 30 next preceding, but the report and remittance of insurance corporations shall be filed before May 1 of each year as of December 31 next preceding. When property is evidenced by certificate of ownership as set forth in § 55-210.6:1, the holder shall deliver to the State Treasurer a duplicate of any such certificate registered in the name "Treasurer of Virginia" or the Treasurer's designated nominee at the time of report and remittance. The administrator may postpone the reporting and remittance date upon written request by any person required to file a report.

E. If the holder of property presumed abandoned under this chapter knows the whereabouts of the owner, the holder shall, before filing the annual report, communicate with the owner and take necessary steps to prevent abandonment from being presumed. All holders shall exercise due diligence, as defined in § 55-210.2, at least sixty 60 days prior to the submission of the report to ascertain the whereabouts of the owner if (i) the holder has in its records an address for the apparent owner which the holder's records do not disclose to be inaccurate and (ii) the property has a value of $100 or more.

F. Verification, if made by a partnership, shall be executed by a partner; if made by an unincorporated association or private corporation, by an officer; and if made by a public corporation, by its chief fiscal officer.