Source: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=48.15&full=true
Timestamp: 2019-05-20 03:06:12
Document Index: 217328918

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 12', '§ 3', '§ 8', '§ 45', '§ 4', '§ 5', '§ 1', '§ 45', '§ 45', '§ 9', '§ 45', '§ 5', '§ 7', '§ 7058', '§ 7', '§ 45', '§ 2', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 45', '§ 7', '§ 10', '§ 6', '§ 45', '§ 10', '§ 9', '§ 4', '§ 16', '§ 8', '§ 45', '§ 7060', '§ 45', '§ 11']

Chapter 48.15 RCW: UNAUTHORIZED INSURERS
RCWs > Title 48 > Chapter 48.15
Chapter 48.15 RCW
48.15.010 Definitions.
48.15.015 Rules.
48.15.020 Solicitation by unauthorized insurer prohibited—Personal liability.
48.15.023 Unauthorized activities—Acts committed in this state—Sanctions.
48.15.025 Application of other chapters to surplus line brokers.
48.15.030 Validity of contracts illegally effectuated.
48.15.039 National database—Surplus line brokers.
48.15.040 "Surplus line" coverage.
48.15.043 Diligent effort requirement—Exempt commercial purchaser.
48.15.050 Endorsement of contract.
48.15.060 Validity of contracts.
48.15.070 Surplus line brokers—Licensing—Bond—Renewal.
48.15.073 Nonresident surplus line brokers—Licensing—Reciprocity—Service of process.
48.15.080 Licensed surplus line broker may accept business.
48.15.085 Liability of insurer assuming direct risk.
48.15.090 Solvent insurer required—Rules.
48.15.100 Record of surplus line broker.
48.15.103 Use of business name—Place of business—Duties of surplus line broker.
48.15.110 Broker's annual statement.
48.15.120 Premium tax—Surplus lines.
48.15.130 Penalty for default.
48.15.140 Revocation, suspension, or failure to renew surplus line broker's license—Civil penalty.
48.15.142 Suspension for failure to comply with support order.
48.15.150 Legal process against surplus line insurer.
48.15.160 Exemptions from surplus line requirements.
48.15.170 Records of insureds—Inspection.
48.15.180 Surplus line broker's fiduciary capacity—Violations.
48.15.185 Determination of qualifications and competence by state—Unlawful use of questions.
48.15.010
48.15.015
[ 2009 c 162 § 12.]
48.15.020
48.15.023
Unauthorized activities—Acts committed in this state—Sanctions.
(2) For the purpose of this section, an act is committed in this state if it is committed, in whole or in part, in the state of Washington, or affects persons or property within the state and relates to or involves an insurance contract.
(3) Any person who knowingly violates RCW 48.15.020(1) is guilty of a class B felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.
(5)(a) If the commissioner has cause to believe that any person has violated the provisions of RCW 48.15.020(1), the commissioner may:
[ 2003 c 250 § 3.]
48.15.025
Application of other chapters to surplus line brokers.
(1) A surplus line broker shall not engage in any act prohibited by RCW 48.05.465(2), 48.43.335(2), and chapter 48.30 RCW.
(2) A surplus line broker is entitled to the immunities granted under RCW 48.43.105 and 48.50.070.
(3) The rights and prohibitions applicable to insurance producers contained in RCW 48.30.260, 48.30.270, and 48.62.121 also apply to surplus line brokers.
(4) The exemption for taxes and fees in RCW 48.62.151 does not apply to surplus line brokers.
[ 2009 c 162 § 8.]
48.15.030
Validity of contracts illegally effectuated.
A contract of insurance effectuated by an unauthorized insurer in violation of the provisions of this code shall be voidable except at the instance of the insurer.
[1947 c 79 § .15.03; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 45.15.03.]
48.15.039
National database—Surplus line brokers.
When a national insurance producer database of the national association of insurance commissioners, or other equivalent uniform national database, for the licensure of surplus line brokers is created, the commissioner may participate in the database.
[ 2011 c 31 § 4.]
48.15.040
48.15.043
Diligent effort requirement—Exempt commercial purchaser.
A surplus line broker seeking to procure from or place insurance with an unauthorized insurer for an exempt commercial purchaser is not required to satisfy the diligent effort requirement set forth in RCW 48.15.040 when:
(1) The surplus line broker or referring insurance producer procuring or placing the surplus line insurance has disclosed to the exempt commercial purchaser that such insurance may or may not be available from the admitted market that may provide greater protection with more regulatory oversight; and
(2) The exempt commercial purchaser has subsequently requested in writing the surplus line broker or referring insurance producer to procure or place such insurance from an unauthorized insurer.
(3) Records of the surplus line broker's satisfaction of the requirements of this section must be maintained in compliance with RCW 48.15.100.
[ 2011 c 31 § 5.]
48.15.050
Every insurance contract procured and delivered as a surplus line coverage pursuant to this chapter must have stamped upon it and be initialed by or bear the name of the surplus line broker who procured it, the following:
"This contract is registered and delivered as a surplus line coverage under the insurance code of the state of Washington, Title 48 RCW."
[ 2015 c 132 § 1; 1947 c 79 § .15.05; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 45.15.05.]
48.15.060
Insurance contracts procured as surplus line coverage from unauthorized insurers in accordance with this chapter shall be fully valid and enforceable as to all parties, and shall be given recognition in all matters and respects to the same effect as like contracts issued by authorized insurers.
[1947 c 79 § .15.06; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 45.15.06.]
48.15.070
48.15.073
48.15.080
Licensed surplus line broker may accept business.
A licensed surplus line broker may accept and place surplus line business for any insurance producer licensed in this state for the kind of insurance involved, and may compensate that insurance producer therefor.
[ 2008 c 217 § 9; 1947 c 79 § .15.08; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 45.15.08.]
48.15.085
Liability of insurer assuming direct risk.
(1) If pursuant to the surplus lines provisions of this chapter an insurer has assumed direct risk under a coverage and the premium therefor has been paid to the broker who placed such insurance, the insurer shall be liable to the insured for unearned premiums payable upon cancellation of the insurance, whether or not the broker is indebted to the insurer for such premium or otherwise. This provision shall not affect rights as between the insurer and the broker.
(2) Each such insurer shall be deemed to have subjected itself to this section by acceptance of such direct risk.
[ 1959 c 225 § 5.]
48.15.090
48.15.100
48.15.103
48.15.110
Broker's annual statement.
(1) Each surplus line broker must on or before the first day of March of each year file with the commissioner a verified statement of all surplus line insurance transacted by him or her during the preceding calendar year.
(2) The statement must be in a form and format as prescribed by the commissioner and must show:
(a) Aggregate of net premiums; and
(b) Additional information as required by the commissioner.
(3) This section does not apply to property and casualty insurance procured by the surplus line broker when the insured's home state is a state other than this state.
[ 2011 c 31 § 7; 2009 c 549 § 7058; 1955 c 303 § 7; 1947 c 79 § .15.11; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 45.15.11.]
48.15.120
48.15.130
If any surplus line broker fails to file his or her annual statement, or fails to remit the tax provided by RCW 48.15.120, by the last day of the month in which the tax becomes due, the surplus line broker must pay the penalties provided in RCW 48.14.060(1). The tax may be collected by distraint, or the tax and fine may be recovered by an action instituted by the commissioner in any court of competent jurisdiction. Any fine collected by the commissioner must be paid to the state treasurer and credited to the general fund.
[ 2003 c 341 § 2; 1983 1st ex.s. c 32 § 5; 1980 c 102 § 5; 1947 c 79 § .15.13; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 45.15.13.]
48.15.140
Revocation, suspension, or failure to renew surplus line broker's license—Civil penalty.
(1) The commissioner may place on probation, revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew any surplus line broker's license, or may levy a civil penalty in accordance with RCW 48.17.560 or any combination of actions, for any one or more of the following causes:
(a) If the surplus line broker fails to file the licensee's annual statement or to remit the tax as required by this chapter; or
(b) If the surplus line broker fails to maintain an office in this state, or to keep the records, or to allow the commissioner to examine the licensee's records as required by this chapter; or
(c) For any of the causes for which an insurance producer's license may be revoked under chapter 48.17 RCW.
(2) The commissioner may suspend or revoke any such license whenever he or she deems suspension or revocation to be for the best interests of the people of this state.
(3) The procedures provided by this code for the suspension or revocation of insurance producers' licenses shall be applicable to suspension or revocation of a surplus line broker's license.
(4) A surplus line broker whose license has been so revoked shall not again be so licensed within one year thereafter, nor until any fines or delinquent taxes owing by the formal licensee have been paid.
[ 2009 c 162 § 7; 2008 c 217 § 10; 1980 c 102 § 6; 1947 c 79 § .15.14; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 45.15.14.]
48.15.142
Suspension for failure to comply with support order.
The commissioner shall immediately suspend the license or certificate of a person issued under this chapter who has been certified pursuant to RCW 74.20A.320 by the department of social and health services as a person who is not in compliance with a support order. If the person has continued to meet all other requirements for reinstatement during the suspension, reissuance of the license or certificate shall be automatic upon the commissioner's receipt of a release issued by the department of social and health services stating that the licensee is in compliance with the order.
[ 2009 c 162 § 10.]
48.15.150
Legal process against surplus line insurer.
(1) For any cause of action arising in this state under any contract issued as a surplus line contract under this chapter, an unauthorized insurer must be sued in the superior court of the county in which the cause of action arose.
(2) An unauthorized insurer issuing a policy under this chapter has authorized service of process against it in the manner prescribed under RCW 48.02.200. Any policy must contain a provision designating the commissioner as the person upon whom service of process may be made.
(3) The insurer has forty days from the date of the service upon the commissioner within which to plead, answer, or otherwise defend the action. Upon service of process upon the commissioner in accordance with this section, the court has jurisdiction in personam of the insurer.
[ 2011 c 47 § 9; 1979 ex.s. c 199 § 4; 1963 c 195 § 16; 1955 c 303 § 8; 1947 c 79 § .15.15; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 45.15.15.]
48.15.160
48.15.170
Records of insureds—Inspection.
Every person for whom insurance has been placed with an unauthorized insurer pursuant to or in violation of this chapter shall, upon the commissioner's order, produce for his or her examination all policies and other documents evidencing the insurance, and shall disclose to the commissioner the amount of the gross premiums paid or agreed to be paid for the insurance. For each refusal to obey such order, such person shall be liable to a fine of not more than five hundred dollars.
[ 2009 c 549 § 7060; 1947 c 79 § .15.17; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 45.15.17.]
48.15.180
48.15.185
Determination of qualifications and competence by state—Unlawful use of questions.
It is unlawful for any unauthorized person to remove, reproduce, duplicate, or distribute in any form, any question used by the state of Washington to determine the qualifications and competence of surplus line brokers required by this title to be licensed. This section does not prohibit an insurance education provider from creating and using sample test questions in courses approved by the commissioner.
Any person violating this section is subject to penalties as provided by RCW 48.01.080 and 48.15.140.
[ 2009 c 162 § 11.]