(b) The director may not authorize an insurer to transact insurance in this state unless it makes and thereafter maintains in trust in this state through the director for the protection of all its policyholders or of all its policyholders and creditors, a deposit of cash or securities eligible for deposit under AS 21.24.030 in the amount of no less than $300,000, except that

1. (1) from foreign insurers, in lieu of the deposit or part thereof in this state, the director may accept the certificate in proper form of the public official having supervision over insurers in any other state to the effect that a like deposit or part thereof by the insurer is being maintained in public custody or control under the law in that state in trust for the protection generally of the insurer's policyholders or its policyholders and creditors, in the United States;

2. (2) from alien insurers, in lieu of the deposit or part thereof in this state, the director may accept evidence satisfactory to the director that the insurer maintains within the United States by way of trust deposits with public depositaries, or in trust institutions acceptable to the director, assets available for discharge of its United States insurance obligations, which assets shall be in an amount not less than the outstanding liabilities of the insurer arising out of its insurance transactions in the United States together with a surplus equal to the larger of the following sums:

   1. (A) the largest deposit required by this title to be made by a foreign insurer transacting like kinds of insurance; or
   2. (B) $300,000; which surplus shall for all purposes under this title be considered to be the capital or surplus of the insurer.