31-403. Disclosure of information by insurance companies; disclosure of information by authorized agency; immunity from liability in civil actions. (a) Any authorized agency may, in writing, require an insurance company to release to the requesting agency any or all relevant information or evidence deemed important to the authorized agency which the company may have in its possession, relating to a fire loss. Relevant information may include, without limitation herein:

(1) Pertinent insurance policy information relevant to a fire loss under investigation and any application for such a policy;

(2) premium payment records;

(3) history of previous claims made by the insured; and

(4) material relating to the investigation of the loss, including statements of any person, proof of loss, and any other evidence relevant to the investigation.

(b) (1) When an insurance company has reason to believe that a fire loss in which it has an interest may be of other than accidental cause, then, for the purpose of notification and for having such fire loss investigated, the company shall, in writing, notify an authorized agency and provide it with any or all material developed from the company's inquiry into the fire loss.

(2) When an insurance company provides any one of the authorized agencies with notice of a fire loss, it shall be sufficient notice for the purpose of this act.

(3) Nothing in subsection (b) of this section shall abrogate or impair the rights or powers created under subsection (a) of this section.

(c) The authorized agency provided with information pursuant to subsections (a) or (b) of this section or K.S.A. 31-404 and in furtherance of its own purposes, may release or provide such information to any of the other authorized agencies.

(d) Any insurance company providing information to an authorized agency or agencies pursuant to subsections (a) or (b) of this section shall have the right to request relevant information relating to such fire loss from an authorized agency and receive, within a reasonable time, not to exceed thirty (30) days, the information requested from an authorized agency.

(e) Any insurance company, or person acting in its behalf, or an authorized agency which releases information, whether oral or written, pursuant to subsections (a) or (b) of this section shall be immune from any liability arising out of a civil action by reason of providing such information.

History: L. 1979, ch. 132, § 3; July 1.