Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 8, § 4001

Domestic mutual fire insurance companies, in any year in which the assessments required to pay losses and expenses would not equal five percent of the face of its premium notes, may lay assessments not to exceed five percent and carry the amount not necessary to pay losses and expenses of such year to a surplus account for the payment of future fire losses and expenses. Such surplus shall at no time exceed 10 percent of the face of the premium notes then in force.