Sec. 9. (a) Upon determining that an examination should be conducted, the commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall issue an examination warrant appointing one (1) or more examiners to perform the examination and instructing them as to the scope of the examination. In conducting the examination, the examiner shall observe those guidelines and procedures set forth in the Financial Condition Examiner's Handbook and the Market Regulation Handbook. The commissioner may also employ such other guidelines or procedures as the commissioner considers appropriate. The commissioner is not required to issue an examination warrant for a data call.

(b) Every company or person from whom information is sought, and the officers, directors, and agents of the company or person, must provide to the examiners appointed under subsection (a) timely, convenient, and free access at all reasonable hours at its offices to all books, records, accounts, papers, documents, and any or all computer or other recordings relating to the property, assets, business, and affairs of the company being examined. The officers, directors, employees, and agents of the company or person must facilitate the examination and aid in the examination so far as it is in their power to do so. The refusal of any company, by its officers, directors, employees, or agents within the company's control, to submit to examination or to comply with any reasonable written request of the examiners, or the failure of any company to make a good faith effort to require compliance with such a request, is grounds for:

(1) suspension;

(2) refusal; or

(3) nonrenewal;

of any license or authority held by the company to engage in an insurance or other business subject to the commissioner's jurisdiction. The commissioner may proceed to suspend or revoke a license or authority upon the grounds set forth in this subsection under IC 27-1-3-10 or IC 27-1-3-19.

(c) The commissioner and the commissioner's examiners may issue subpoenas, administer oaths, and examine under oath any person as to any matter pertinent to an examination conducted under this chapter. Upon the failure or refusal of any person to obey a subpoena, the commissioner may petition a court of competent jurisdiction, and upon proper showing, the court may enter any order compelling the witness to appear and testify or produce documentary evidence. Failure to obey the court order is punishable as contempt of court.

(d) When making an examination under this chapter, the commissioner may retain attorneys, appraisers, independent actuaries, independent certified public accountants, or other professionals and specialists as examiners. The cost of retaining these examiners shall be borne by the company that is the subject of the examination.

(e) This chapter does not limit the commissioner's authority to terminate or suspend any examination in order to pursue other legal or regulatory action pursuant to this title. Findings of fact and conclusions made pursuant to any examination shall be prima facie evidence in any legal or regulatory action.

As added by P.L.26-1991, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.130-1994, SEC.8; P.L.116-1994, SEC.12; P.L.111-2008, SEC.1; P.L.124-2018, SEC.5.