(a) A purchasing group is any group that:      
        (1) has as one of its purposes the purchase of liability insurance on a group basis;       
        (2) purchases liability insurance only for its group members and only to cover their similar or related liability exposure;       
        (3) is composed of members whose businesses or activities are similar or related with respect to the liability to which members are exposed by any related, similar, or common business, trade, product, service, premise, or operation; and       
        (4) is domiciled in any state.       
      (b) When a registered purchasing group purchases insurance through a surplus lines agent, the surplus lines agent must submit the filings required under Insurance Code §981.105 and stamping fees directly to the stamping office.     
      (c) A surplus lines agent must stamp or write the words "Purchasing Group" conspicuously on every policy, contract, or other detailed evidence of coverage issued to a purchasing group or its members through the surplus lines agent.     
      (d) A surplus lines agent may not sell insurance to a purchasing group that is not registered with TDI. Registration may be verified on TDI's website.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §15.115 adopted to be effective December 30, 2018, 43 TexReg 8455