Section 21.09.170. Duration of suspension, insurer's obligations, and reinstatements.

   (a) Suspension of an insurer's certificate of authority shall be for a fixed period of time determined by the director, or until the occurrence of a specific event necessary for remedying the reasons for suspension. The director may modify, rescind, or reverse a suspension under this section.
   (b) During the period of suspension, the insurer
        (1) may not solicit or write any new business in this state;
        (2) shall file its annual statement and pay fees, licenses, and taxes required under this title; and
        (3) may service its outstanding business in force in this state as if the certificate had continued in full force.
   (c) If the suspension of the certificate of authority is for a fixed period of time and the certificate of authority has not been otherwise terminated, upon expiration of the suspension period, the insurer's certificate of authority shall be reinstated unless the director finds that the insurer is not in compliance with the requirements of this title. The director shall promptly notify the insurer of any reinstatement, and the insurer may not consider its certificate of authority reinstated until notified by the director. If not reinstated, the certificate of authority expires at the end of the suspension period or at the time the insurer fails to continue the certificate during the suspension period under (b) of this section, whichever event occurs first.
   (d) If the suspension of the certificate of authority continues until the occurrence of a specific event and the certificate of authority has not been otherwise terminated, upon the presentation of evidence satisfactory to the director that the specific event has occurred, the insurer's certificate of authority shall be reinstated unless the director finds that the insurer is not in compliance with the requirements of this title. The director shall promptly notify the insurer of any reinstatement, and the insurer may not consider its certificate of authority reinstated until notified by the director. If satisfactory evidence as to the occurrence of the specific event has not been presented to the director within five years after the date of suspension, the certificate of authority expires five years from the date of suspension or upon failure of the insurer to continue the certificate during the suspension period under (b) of this section, whichever occurs first.
   (e) The authority of the agents in this state to represent the insurer is reinstated upon reinstatement of the insurer's certificate of authority.
   (f) The director shall promptly notify an insurer's agents in this state, as shown by records of the director, of any reinstatement.

Notes

History

(Sec. 1 ch 120 SLA 1966; am Sec. 6 ch 96 SLA 2004)