reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
SC Code § 38-57-160 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 57 - Trade Practices|Section 38-57-160. Advertising gifts permitted.

 Sections 38-57-130, 38-57-140, and 38-57-150 do not prohibit a licensed agent from giving to insureds, prospective insureds, and to others, for the purpose of advertising, an article of merchandise having a value of not more than twenty-five dollars and having an advertisement for the insurer or agent printed on it. Nothing within this section precludes a licensed agent from providing refreshments during a sales presentation which do not exceed ten dollars a person in cost.  HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Section 38-57-160 [1947 (45) 322; 1952 Code Section 37-1164; 1962 Code Section 37-1164; 1978 Act No. 585 Section 14] recodified as Section 23-9-410 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; Former 1976 Code Section 38-55-160 [1962 Code Section 37-1216; 1964 (53) 2293] recodified as Section 38-57-160 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; 1997 Act No. 68, Section 11; 2007 Act No. 27, Section 1, eff upon approval (became law without the Governor's signature on May 16, 2007).
SC Code § 38-57-170 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 57 - Trade Practices|Section 38-57-170. Free insurance or advertisement prohibited; exceptions.

 (1) No person in this State may advertise, offer, or provide free insurance as an inducement to the purchase or sale of real or personal property or of services directly or indirectly connected with real or personal property.  (2) For the purposes of this section, "free" insurance is insurance for which no identifiable and additional charge is made to the purchaser of the real property or personal property or services or insurance for which an identifiable or additional charge is made in an amount less than the cost of the insurance as to the seller or other person, other than the insurer, providing the insurance.  (3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to:  (a) insurance against loss of or damage to the real or personal property involved in any sale or services under a policy covering the interest of the seller or vendor;  (b) credit life or credit accident and health insurance;  (c) title insurance;  (d) obligations issued by insurers licensed in this State which shall indemnify against breaches of warranties made in connection with any sale or services.  (4) No person may use the word "free" to describe life or accident and health insurance in connection with the advertising or offering for sale of any kind of goods, merchandise, or services.  HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Section 38-57-170 [1947 (45) 322; 1951 (47) 433; 1952 Code Section 37-1165; 1962 Code Section 37-1165; 1978 Act No. 585, Section 15] recodified as Section 23-9-420 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; Former 1976 Code Section 38-55-170 [1962 Code Section 37-1217; 1964 (53) 2293] recodified as Section 38-57-170 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1.
SC Code § 38-57-180 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 57 - Trade Practices|Section 38-57-180. Insurance cost must be specified in sales and loans.

 Where the premium or charge for insurance is included in the overall purchase price or financing of the purchase of merchandise or property, the vendor or lender shall separately state and identify the amount charged and to be paid for the insurance and the classifications if any, upon which based. The inclusion or exclusion of the cost of insurance in the purchase price or financing may not increase, reduce, or otherwise affect any other factor involved in the cost of the merchandise or property or financing as to the purchaser or borrower.  HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Section 38-57-180 [1947 (45) 322; 1952 Code Section 37-1166; 1962 Code Section 37-1166; 1978 Act No. 585 Section 16] recodified as Section 23-9-430 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; Former 1976 Code Section 38-55-180 [1962 Code Section 37-1218; 1964 (53) 2293] recodified as Section 38-57-180 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1.
SC Code § 38-57-200 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 57 - Trade Practices|Section 38-57-200. Findings and order.

 If, after a hearing, the director or his designee determines that a method of competition or an act or practice is unfair or deceptive as defined in this title and that the person complained of has engaged in the method of competition, act, or practice in violation of this title, he shall reduce his finding to writing and shall issue and cause to be served upon the person charged with the violation:  (1) an order requiring the person to cease and desist from engaging in the method of competition, act, or practice; and  (2) an order imposing penalties provided in Section 38-2-10.  HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Section 38-57-200 [1947 (45) 322; 1952 Code Section 37-1167; 1962 Code Section 37-1167; 1978 Act No. 585, Section 17] recodified as Section 23-9-450 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; Former 1976 Code Section 38-55-240 [1947 (45) 322; 1952 Code Section 37-1210; 1962 Code Section 37-1224; 1964 (53) 2293] recodified as Section 38-57-200 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; 1988 Act No. 374, Section 29; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 711.
SC Code § 38-57-210 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 57 - Trade Practices|Section 38-57-210. Intervenor at hearing; judicial review at instance of intervenor.

 Upon good cause shown, the director or his designee shall permit any person to intervene, appear, and be heard at the hearing by counsel or in person. If the report of the director or his designee does not charge a violation of this chapter, then any intervenor in the proceedings may, within thirty days after the service of the report, cause a petition to be filed in the Circuit Court of Richland County for a review of the report. Upon review the court has authority to issue appropriate orders and decrees in connection therewith, including, if the court finds that it is to the interest of the public, orders enjoining and restraining the continuance of any method of competition, act, or practice which it finds, notwithstanding the report of the director or his designee, constitutes a violation of this chapter.  HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Section 38-57-210 [1951 (47) 433; 1952 Code Section 37-1168; 1962 Code Section 37-1168; 1978 Act No. 585 Section 18] recodified as Section 23-9-460 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; Former 1976 Code Section 38-55-290 [1947 (45) 322; 1952 Code Section 37-1220; 1962 Code Section 37-1229; 1964 (53) 2293] recodified as Section 38-57-210 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 712.
SC Code § 38-57-220 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 57 - Trade Practices|Section 38-57-220. Immunity from prosecution.

 If any person asks to be excused from attending and testifying or from producing any books, papers, records, correspondence, or other documents at any hearing on the ground that the testimony or evidence required of him may tend to incriminate him or subject him to any penalty or forfeiture and is, notwithstanding, directed to give the testimony or produce the evidence, he shall comply with the direction, but he may not thereafter be prosecuted or subjected to a penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter, or thing concerning which he may testify or produce evidence pursuant thereto. No testimony so given or evidence produced may be received against him upon any criminal action, investigation, or proceeding. The individual so testifying is not exempt from prosecution or punishment for any perjury committed by him while so testifying, and the testimony or evidence so given or produced is admissible against him upon any criminal action, investigation, or proceeding concerning the perjury, nor is he exempt from the refusal, revocation, or suspension of any license, permission, or authority conferred or to be conferred pursuant to this title. The individual may execute, acknowledge, and file in the office of the department a statement expressly waiving his immunity or privilege in respect to any transaction, matter, or thing specified in the statement and thereupon the testimony of the person or the evidence in relation to the transaction, matter, or thing may be received or produced before any judge or justice, court, tribunal, grand jury, or otherwise, and, if so received or produced, the individual is not entitled to any immunity or privilege on account of any testimony he may so give or evidence so produced.  HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Section 38-57-220 [1979 Act No. 190 Section 9] recodified as Section 23-9-470 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; Former 1976 Code Section 38-55-300 [1947 (45) 322; 1952 Code Section 37-1222; 1962 Code Section 37-1230; 1964 (53) 2293] recodified as Section 38-57-220 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 713.
SC Code § 38-57-230 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 57 - Trade Practices|Section 38-57-230. Violation of cease and desist order.

 Any person who contemptuously violates a cease and desist order of any practice issued by the director or his designee shall, upon due notice, receive a hearing before the director or his designee. Upon the determination of the director or his designee that the contemptuous violation has been committed, the director or his designee shall issue his order to the effect that the person is in contempt of his order to cease and desist. Any person who contemptuously violates a cease and desist order of the director or his designee shall pay a fine set by the director or his designee but not to exceed fifty dollars for each day of violation. However, if the violation is wilful, the fine may be assessed in an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars per day of violation.  HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Sections 38-55-310 [1962 Code Section 37-1231; 1964 (53) 2293] and 38-55-320 [1947 (45) 322; 1952 Code Section 37-1221; 1962 Code Section 37-1232; 1964 (53) 2293] recodified as Section 38-57-230 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 714.
SC Code § 38-57-240 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 57 - Trade Practices|Section 38-57-240. Notice of levy and proceedings for collection.

 If upon completion of the hearing the director or his designee has elected to levy a fine on the person involved, that person must be so notified in writing by certified mail and of the amount of the fine. The notice shall state that, if the fine is not paid within thirty days from the date of receipt of the notice, further action to effect collection under this chapter will be initiated, together with revocation of the person's license or certificate of authority.  HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Section 38-55-330 [1962 Code Section 37-1233; 1964 (53) 2293] recodified as Section 38-57-240 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 715.
SC Code § 38-57-250 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 57 - Trade Practices|Section 38-57-250. Filing order with clerk of court.

 When the time for appeal has expired and no appeal has been perfected by the person fined, the director or his designee shall file with the clerk of court of the county in which the person fined resides and for any other county in which he may own personal or real property, or an interest therein, a copy of the order. The clerk shall enter in the judgment roll, in the column for judgment debtors, the name of the person fined and in appropriate columns the amount of the fine and costs for which the order calls and the date when the copy was filed and shall index the order upon the judgment roll index. The order has the full effect of a civil judgment including rights of the judgment creditor to issue execution and accrue interest at the legal rate until the time as it is satisfied.  HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Section 38-55-340 [1962 Code Section 37-1234; 1964 (53) 2293] recodified as Section 38-57-250 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 716.
SC Code § 38-57-260 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 57 - Trade Practices|Section 38-57-260. Levy of execution; sheriff's fees.

 If the fine remains unpaid after filing the order, the director or his designee shall levy on the real or personal property or any interest he may have therein, by issuing execution to the sheriff of the county of residence of the person fined. The sheriff shall proceed upon the execution with like effect and in the same manner prescribed by law with respect to executions issued against property upon judgments of a court of record. The sheriff is entitled to a fee equivalent to five percent of the total amount of the warrant for service in executing the order and the clerk of court is entitled to the same fees for recording the order as one prescribed by law in respect to executions issued against property upon judgments of a court of record. These fees are to be added to and collected with the total amount of the order.  HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Section 38-55-350 [1962 Code Section 37-1235; 1964 (53) 2293] recodified as Section 38-57-260 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 717.
SC Code § 38-57-270 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 57 - Trade Practices|Section 38-57-270. Remedies when fine not satisfied in full.

 If an order is returned not satisfied in full, the director or his designee has the same remedies to enforce the claim for the fine and costs against the person fined as if the people of the state had recovered judgment against the person fined for the amount of the fine and costs.  HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Section 38-55-360 [1962 Code Section 37-1236; 1964 (53) 2293] recodified as Section 38-57-270 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 718.
SC Code § 38-57-280 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 57 - Trade Practices|Section 38-57-280. Payment of fine under protest.

 When the director or his designee levies a fine against a person and takes action to effect collection of the fine under this chapter, that person may pay the fine under written protest if he considers the fine to be unjust or illegal. Upon the protested payment being made, the director or his designee shall pay the fine into the state treasury, giving the State Treasurer notice at that time that the payment was made under protest.  HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Section 38-55-370 [1962 Code Section 37-1237; 1964 (53) 2293] recodified as Section 38-57-280 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 719.
SC Code § 38-57-290 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 57 - Trade Practices|Section 38-57-290. Action for recovery of fine paid under protest.

 Any person paying a fine levied by the director or his designee, under protest, may at any time within thirty days after payment, but not afterwards, bring an action against the director or his designee for the recovery thereof in the court of common pleas of the county in which the fine was payable. If it is determined in that action that the fine was wrongfully or illegally levied and collected, for any reason going to the merits, the court before whom the case is tried shall certify of record that the fine was wrongfully collected and should be refunded and thereupon the Comptroller General shall issue his warrant for the refunding of the fine so paid.  HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Section 38-55-380 [1962 Code Section 37-1238; 1964 (53) 2293] recodified as Section 38-57-290 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 720.
SC Code § 38-57-300 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 57 - Trade Practices|Section 38-57-300. Attorney General to defend actions against director for recovery of fines; how judgment against director to be paid.

 The Attorney General shall defend any suit or proceeding against the director or his designee for the recovery of fines allegedly illegally or unjustly paid under this title. Any judgment against the director or his designee must be paid in the manner prescribed in Section 38-57-290.  HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Section 38-55-390 [1962 Code Section 37-1239; 1964 (53) 2293] recodified as Section 38-57-300 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 721.
SC Code § 38-57-310 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 57 - Trade Practices|Section 38-57-310. Limit of recovery against director or designee.

 In any action or proceeding against the director or his designee for the purpose of recovering a fine allegedly illegally or unjustly collected, the amount received in the suit may not exceed the amount of the fine paid under protest, together with costs arising from the service of process and procuring the attendance of witnesses.  HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Section 38-55-400 [1962 Code Section 37-1240; 1964 (53) 2293] recodified as Section 38-57-310 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 722.
SC Code § 38-57-320 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 57 - Trade Practices|Section 38-57-320. Revocation or suspension of license or certificate of authority to effect collection of fine.

 In all cases when it is necessary to file an order with a clerk of court to effect collection of a fine, the license or certificate of authority of the person fined may be summarily revoked or suspended.  HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Section 38-55-410 [1962 Code Section 37-1241; 1964 (53) 2293] recodified as Section 38-57-320 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1.
SC Code § 38-59-10 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 59 - Claims Practices|Section 38-59-10. Proof of loss forms required to be furnished.

 When an insurer under an insurance policy requires a written proof of loss after the notice of the loss has been given by the insured or beneficiary, the insurer or its representative shall furnish a blank to be used for that purpose. If the forms are not furnished within twenty days after the receipt of the notice, the claimant is considered to have complied with the requirements of the policy as to proof of loss upon submitting within the time fixed in the policy for filing proofs of loss written proof covering the occurrence, character, and extent of the loss for which claim is made. The twenty-day period after notice of loss to furnish forms applies to all types of insurance unless a lesser time period is specifically provided by law.  HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Section 38-59-10 [1976 Act No. 673; 1976 Act No. 745 Section 1] recodified as Section 38-79-10 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1; Former 1976 Code Section 38-9-300 [1947 (45) 322; 1952 Code Section 37-166; 1962 Code Section 37-166] recodified as Section 38-59-10 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1.
SC Code § 38-59-20 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 59 - Claims Practices|Section 38-59-20. Improper claim practices.

 Any of the following acts by an insurer doing accident and health insurance, property insurance, casualty insurance, surety insurance, marine insurance, or title insurance business, if committed without just cause and performed with such frequency as to indicate a general business practice, constitutes improper claim practices:  (1) Knowingly misrepresenting to insureds or third-party claimants pertinent facts or policy provisions relating to coverages at issue or providing deceptive or misleading information with respect to coverages.  (2) Failing to acknowledge with reasonable promptness pertinent communications with respect to claims arising under its policies, including third-party claims arising under liability insurance policies.  (3) Failing to adopt and implement reasonable standards for the prompt investigation and settlement of claims, including third-party liability claims, arising under its policies.  (4) Not attempting in good faith to effect prompt, fair, and equitable settlement of claims, including third-party liability claims, submitted to it in which liability has become reasonably clear.  (5) Compelling policyholders or claimants, including third-party claimants under liability policies, to institute suits to recover amounts reasonably due or payable with respect to claims arising under its policies by offering substantially less than the amounts ultimately recovered through suits brought by the claimants or through settlements with their attorneys employed as the result of the inability of the claimants to effect reasonable settlements with the insurers.  (6) Offering to settle claims, including third-party liability claims, for an amount less than the amount otherwise reasonably due or payable based upon the possibility or probability that the policyholder or claimant would be required to incur attorneys' fees to recover the amount reasonably due or payable.  (7) Invoking or threatening to invoke policy defenses or to rescind the policy as of its inception, not in good faith and with a reasonable expectation of prevailing with respect to the policy defense or attempted rescission, but for the primary purpose of discouraging or reducing a claim, including a third-party liability claim.  (8) Any other practice which constitutes an unreasonable delay in paying or an unreasonable failure to pay or settle in full claims, including third-party liability claims, arising under coverages provided by its policies.  HISTORY: Former 1976 Code Section 38-37-1110 [1962 Code Section 37-591.56; 1974 (58) 2718] recodified as Section 38-59-20 by 1987 Act No. 155, Section 1.
SC Code § 38-59-25 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 38 - Insurance|Chapter 59 - Claims Practices|Section 38-59-25. Coverage decisions not constituting practice of medicine.

 A determination of medical necessity of a decision affecting the diagnosis and/or treatment of a patient is not the practice of medicine, provided:  (A) it is a coverage decision denying health care services by an insurer that is based on a finding that the provision of a particular service is included or excluded as a covered benefit under the terms and conditions of the health care service plan contract; or  (B) it is a coverage decision approving a covered benefit for health care services that provides for the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or relief of a health condition, illness, injury, or disease; or  (C) it is a coverage decision denying coverage for a covered benefit for a health care service that provides diagnosis, treatment, cure, or relief of a health condition, illness, injury, or disease excluding, except where otherwise provided for by law, experimental, investigational, or cosmetic purposes, if the denial is issued by a licensed physician who has not wilfully and knowingly, or with reckless disregard or gross negligence, or with the intent solely to delay payment of the claim in bad faith, ignored nationally recognized protocols or standards of medical care in rendering such a decision. A good faith request for records or additional information is not a delay for purposes of this section. A person providing medical necessity review services for a health insurer or health maintenance organization who is subject to an inquiry regarding whether the person has been practicing medicine pursuant to this section has the right to remove the case to the Administrative Law Court upon petition of the person. If the Administrative Law Court determines that a complaint is filed, pursuant to this section, to harass or intimidate a person or is otherwise not based on a good faith belief that the provisions of this section are being violated, the defendant is entitled to an award of attorney's fees and the costs of defending the case.  HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 411, Section 7, eff June 25, 2008.