§36-6103.3. Engaging in the business of insurance without statutory authorization - Remedies of Insurance Commissioner.

36 OK Stat § 36-6103.3 (2019) (N/A)
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A. For the purposes of Sections 6103.1 through 6103.11 of this title, "person" shall include an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any similar group, entity or any combination of the foregoing acting in concert.

B. No person or insurer shall directly or indirectly do any of the acts of an insurance business set forth in Sections 6103.1 through 6103.11 of this title, except as provided by and in accordance with the specific authorization of statute. In respect to the insurance of subjects resident, located or to be performed within this state, this section shall not prohibit the collection of premium or other acts performed outside of this state by persons or insurers authorized to do business in this state provided such transactions and insurance contracts otherwise comply with statute.

C. Any person which the Insurance Commissioner has reason to believe is doing any of the acts specified in Section 6103.2 of this title, upon written request by the Commissioner, shall immediately provide to the Commissioner such information as requested in relation to such acts.

D. A person or entity who violates any provision of Sections 6103.1 through 6103.11 of this title is subject to a civil penalty of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) for each act of violation and for each day of violation to be recovered as provided in this section.

E. Whenever the Commissioner has reason to believe or it appears that any person or insurer has violated or is threatening to violate any provision of Sections 6103.1 through 6103.11 of this title or any rule promulgated pursuant thereto, or that any person or insurer acting in violation of Sections 6103.1 through 6103.11 of this title has engaged in or is threatening to engage in any unfair method of competition or any unfair or deceptive act or practice as defined by Section 1201 et seq. of this title or any rule promulgated pursuant thereto, the Commissioner may:

1. Issue an ex parte cease and desist order under the procedures provided by Sections 6103.5 and 6103.6 of this title;

2. Institute in the district court of Oklahoma County a civil suit for injunctive relief to restrain the person from continuing the violation or threat of violation;

3. Institute in the district court of Oklahoma County a civil suit to recover a civil penalty as provided for in this section; or

4. Exercise any combination of the acts provided for in this subsection.

F. On application for injunctive relief and a finding that a person is violating or threatening to violate any provision of Sections 6103.1 through 6103.11 of this title, the district court shall grant the injunctive relief and the injunction shall be issued without bond.

G. The remedies provided in Sections 6103.1 through 6103.11 of this title for administrative action against unauthorized insurers shall also apply to unauthorized individuals or persons engaged in the business of bail bonds or any other business which is subject to the jurisdiction of the Insurance Commissioner.

H. This section shall not be construed to limit the Insurance Commissioner to the remedies specified herein. It is the intent of the Legislature that persons engaging in the business of insurance, or any other business for which authorization from the Insurance Commissioner is required, without statutory authorization constitute an imminent peril to the public welfare and should immediately be stopped and enjoined from doing so, provided, the Insurance Commissioner and the State of Oklahoma should be able to choose at any time any available remedy or action to bring about such a result without regard to prior proceedings under this section.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 294, § 13, eff. Sept. 1, 1994. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 418, § 104, eff. Nov. 1, 1997; Laws 2009, c. 176, § 38, eff. Nov. 1, 2009; Laws 2015, c. 298, § 13, eff. Nov. 1, 2015.