The priorities of distribution in a liquidation proceeding shall be in the following order:

(1)  The cost and expenses of administration, including the claims handling the expenses of the Rhode Island insurers’ insolvency fund and of any similar organization in any other state.

(2)  Wages actually owing to employees for services rendered within three (3) months prior to the date of the filing of the delinquency petition, not exceeding three hundred dollars ($300) to each employee.

(3)  Federal, state, and local taxes.

(4)  Claims by policyholders, beneficiaries, and insured arising from and within the coverage of and not in excess of the applicable limits of insurance policies and insurance contracts issued by the company, and liability claims against the insured which claims are within the coverage of, and not in excess of, the applicable limits of insurance policies and insurance contracts issued by the company, and claims of the Rhode Island insurers’ insolvency fund and any similar organization in another state.

(5)  All other claims.