(a) Every insurer transacting insurance within this State, other than workers' compensation insurance and wet marine and transportation insurance, shall, in addition to other taxes, fees and charges required by law, at the same time as the premium tax and estimated payments as provided in § 702 of this title pay to the Commissioner, for the use of the State, 1/4% upon the gross premiums received and assessments collected from insurance of every kind upon persons or on the lives of persons resident in or upon real and personal property located within this State, or upon any other risks insured within this State, by any such insurer or the authorized agent thereof for the calendar year immediately preceding the date herein provided for such payments.
(b) “Gross premiums” whenever used in this section in reference to premiums received by insurers on policies covering risks located in this State shall mean all moneys collected, together with all notes or credits allowed, as premiums on such policies including reinsurance premiums received. In computing taxable premiums there may be deducted from gross premiums dividends and similar returns paid or credited to policyholders, return premiums paid by reason of cancellation of policies, and reinsurance premiums received from other insurers.
(c) No insurer affected by provisions of this section shall increase the rate of insurance premiums upon any insurable risk affected by this section because of the tax provided for in this section, unless the Commissioner after a hearing on the matter is satisfied that an increase is necessary; and in the event the Commissioner is satisfied after such hearing that an increase in the premium rate is necessary, the Commissioner shall authorize such reasonable increase as he or she deems fair and equitable.