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IC 27-1-15.6-2
Definitions
Sec. 2. The following definitions apply throughout this chapter,
IC 27-1-15.7, and IC 27-1-15.8:
(1) "Bureau" refers to the child support bureau established by
IC 31-25-3-1.
(2) "Business entity" means a corporation, an association, a
partnership, a limited liability company, a limited liability
partnership, or another legal entity.
(3) "Commissioner" means the insurance commissioner
appointed under IC 27-1-1-2.
(4) "Consultant" means a person who:
(A) holds himself or herself out to the public as being
engaged in the business of offering; or
(B) for a fee, offers;
any advice, counsel, opinion, or service with respect to the
benefits, advantages, or disadvantages promised under any
policy of insurance that could be issued in Indiana.
(5) "Delinquent" means the condition of being at least:
(A) two thousand dollars ($2,000); or
(B) three (3) months;
past due in the payment of court ordered child support.
(6) "FINRA" refers to the independent Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority.
(7) "Home state" means the District of Columbia or any state or
territory of the United States in which an insurance producer:
(A) maintains the insurance producer's principal place of
residence or principal place of business; and
(B) is licensed to act as an insurance producer.
(8) "Insurance producer" means a person required to be licensed
under the laws of Indiana to sell, solicit, or negotiate insurance.
(9) "License" means a document issued by the commissioner
authorizing a person to act as an insurance producer for the
lines of authority specified in the document. The license itself
does not create any authority, actual, apparent, or inherent, in
the holder to represent or commit an insurance carrier.
(10) "Limited line credit insurance" includes the following:
(A) Credit life insurance.
(B) Credit disability insurance.
producer and the insurer; or
(B) the termination of a producer's authority to transact
insurance.
(20) "Uniform business entity application" means the current
version of the national association of insurance commissioners
uniform business entity application for resident and nonresident
business entities.
(21) "Uniform application" means the current version of the
national association of insurance commissioners uniform
application for resident and nonresident producer licensing.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.182-2001,
SEC.1; P.L.145-2006, SEC.163; P.L.11-2011, SEC.8.
IC 27-1-15.6-3
Required licensing
Sec. 3. (a) A person shall not sell, solicit, or negotiate insurance
in Indiana for any class or classes of insurance unless the person is
licensed for that line of authority under this chapter.
(b) An insurer shall require a person who sells, solicits, or
negotiates insurance in Indiana by any means of communication on
behalf of the insurer to be licensed under this chapter.
(c) A violation of subsection (b) is deemed an unfair method of
competition and an unfair and deceptive act and practice in the
business of insurance under IC 27-4-1-4.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3.
IC 27-1-15.6-4
Insurance producer license; when not required
Sec. 4. (a) As used in this section, "insurer" does not include an
officer, director, employee, subsidiary, or affiliate of an insurer.
(b) This chapter does not require an insurer to obtain an insurance
producer license.
(c) The following are not required to be licensed as an insurance
producer:
(1) An officer, director, or employee of an insurer or of an
insurance producer, if the officer, director, or employee does
not receive any commission on policies written or sold to insure
risks that reside, are located, or are to be performed in Indiana,
and if:
(A) the officer, director, or employee's activities are
executive, administrative, managerial, clerical, or a
combination of these, and are only indirectly related to the
sale, solicitation, or negotiation of insurance;
(B) the officer, director, or employee's function relates to
underwriting, loss control, inspection, or the processing,
adjusting, investigating, or settling of a claim on a contract
of insurance; or
(C) the officer, director, or employee is acting in the
capacity of a special agent or agency supervisor assisting
insurance producers and the officer, director, or employee's
activities are limited to providing technical advice and
assistance to licensed insurance producers and do not
include the sale, solicitation, or negotiation of insurance.
(2) A person who secures and furnishes information for the
purpose of:
(A) group life insurance, group property and casualty
insurance, group annuities, or group or blanket accident and
sickness insurance;
(B) enrolling individuals under plans;
(C) issuing certificates under plans or otherwise assisting in
administering plans; or
(D) performing administrative services related to mass
marketed property and casualty insurance;
where no commission is paid to the person for the service.
(3) A person identified in clauses (A) through (C) who is not in
any manner compensated, directly or indirectly, by a company
issuing a contract, to the extent that the person is engaged in the
administration or operation of a program of employee benefits
for the employer's or association's employees, or for the
employees of a subsidiary or affiliate of the employer or
association, that involves the use of insurance issued by an
insurer:
(A) An employer or association.
(B) An officer, director, or employee of an employer or
association.
(C) The trustees of an employee trust plan.
(4) An:
(A) employee of an insurer; or
(B) organization employed by insurers;
that is engaged in the inspection, rating, or classification of
risks, or in the supervision of the training of insurance
producers, and that is not individually engaged in the sale,
solicitation, or negotiation of insurance.
(5) A person whose activities in Indiana are limited to
advertising, without the intent to solicit insurance in Indiana,
through communications in printed publications or other forms
of electronic mass media whose distribution is not limited to
residents of Indiana, provided that the person does not sell,
solicit, or negotiate insurance that would insure risks residing,
located, or to be performed in Indiana.
(6) A person who is not a resident of Indiana and who sells,
solicits, or negotiates a contract of insurance for commercial
property and casualty risks to an insured with risks located in
more than one (1) state insured under that contract, provided
that:
(A) the person is otherwise licensed as an insurance
producer to sell, solicit, or negotiate the insurance in the
state where the insured maintains its principal place of
business; and
(B) the contract of insurance insures risks located in that
state.
(7) A salaried full-time employee who counsels or advises the
employee's employer about the insurance interests of the
employer or of the subsidiaries or business affiliates of the
employer, provided that the employee does not sell or solicit
insurance or receive a commission.
(8) An officer, employee, or representative of a rental company
(as defined in IC 24-4-9-7) who negotiates or solicits insurance
incidental to and in connection with the rental of a motor
vehicle.
(9) An individual who:
(A) furnishes only title insurance rate information at the
request of a consumer; and
(B) does not discuss the terms or conditions of a title
insurance policy.
(10) An employee or authorized representative of a vendor that
is licensed as a limited lines producer under this chapter to sell,
solicit, or negotiate portable electronics insurance incidental to
and in connection with portable electronics transactions as
described in IC 27-1-15.9.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.129-2003,
SEC.3; P.L.64-2004, SEC.22; P.L.4-2012, SEC.1.
IC 27-1-15.6-5
Licensing examination
Sec. 5. (a) A resident individual applying for:
(1) an insurance producer license;
(2) a consultant's license; or
(3) a surplus lines producer license;
must pass a written examination unless the individual is exempt
under section 9 of this chapter.
(b) The examination required under subsection (a) must test the
knowledge of the individual concerning the:
(1) lines of authority for which application is made;
(2) duties and responsibilities of a licensee; and
(3) insurance laws and administrative rules of Indiana.
(c) Examinations required under this section must be developed
and conducted under rules adopted by the commissioner.
(d) The commissioner may make arrangements, including
contracting with an outside testing service, for administering
examinations, collecting the nonrefundable examination fee as
established by contract with an outside testing service, or collecting
the nonrefundable licensure fee set forth in section 32 of this chapter.
(e) An individual who fails to appear for the examination required
under subsection (a) as scheduled or who fails to pass the
examination must reapply for an examination and remit all required
fees and forms before being rescheduled for another examination.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.1-2002,
SEC.105.
license expired;
may, not more than twelve (12) months after the expiration date of
the license, reinstate the same license without the necessity of
passing a written examination. A penalty in the amount of three (3)
times the unpaid renewal fee shall be required for any renewal fee
received after the expiration date of the license. However, the
department of insurance may waive the penalty if the renewal fee is
received not more than thirty (30) days after the expiration date of
the license.
(f) A licensed insurance producer who is unable to comply with
license renewal procedures due to military service or some other
extenuating circumstance may request a waiver of the license
renewal procedures. The producer may also request a waiver of any
examination requirement or any other fine or sanction imposed for
failure to comply with the license renewal procedures.
(g) An insurance producer license shall contain the licensee's
name, address, personal identification number, date of issuance, lines
of authority, expiration date, and any other information the
commissioner considers necessary.
(h) A licensee shall inform the commissioner of a change of
address not more than thirty (30) days after the change by any means
acceptable to the commissioner. The failure of a licensee to timely
inform the commissioner of a change in legal name or address shall
result in a penalty under section 12 of this chapter.
(i) To assist in the performance of the commissioner's duties, the
commissioner may contract with nongovernmental entities, including
the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), or
any affiliates or subsidiaries that the NAIC oversees, to perform
ministerial functions, including the collection of fees related to
producer licensing, that the commissioner and the nongovernmental
entity consider appropriate.
(j) The commissioner may participate, in whole or in part, with
the NAIC or any affiliate or subsidiary of the NAIC in a centralized
insurance producer license registry through which insurance
producer licenses are centrally or simultaneously effected for states
that require an insurance producer license and participate in the
centralized insurance producer license registry. If the commissioner
determines that participation in the centralized insurance producer
license registry is in the public interest, the commissioner may adopt
rules under IC 4-22-2 specifying uniform standards and procedures
that are necessary for participation in the registry, including
standards and procedures for centralized license fee collection.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.64-2004,
SEC.24; P.L.11-2011, SEC.9; P.L.115-2011, SEC.7.
IC 27-1-15.6-7.3
Insurance producer frameable certificates
Sec. 7.3. (a) The commissioner may design or have designed an
insurance producer certificate suitable for framing and display.
(b) Upon request of an insurance producer, the commissioner may
issue a certificate described in subsection (a).
(c) The commissioner may impose and collect a reasonable fee for
a certificate issued under subsection (b). The commissioner shall
deposit fees collected under this subsection into the insurance
education scholarship fund established by IC 21-12-9-5.
(d) The commissioner shall establish guidelines to implement this
section.
As added by P.L.173-2007, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.3-2008,
SEC.209.
IC 27-1-15.6-8
Nonresident producer license
Sec. 8. (a) Unless denied licensure under section 12 of this
chapter, a nonresident person shall receive a nonresident producer
license if:
(1) the person is currently licensed as a resident and in good
standing in the person's home state;
(2) the person has submitted the proper request for licensure
and has paid the fees required under section 32 of this chapter;
(3) the person has submitted or transmitted to the
commissioner:
(A) the application for licensure that the person submitted to
the person's home state; or
(B) a completed uniform application; and
(4) the person's home state awards non-resident producer
licenses to residents of Indiana on the same basis as
non-resident producer licenses are awarded to residents of other
states under this chapter.
(b) The commissioner may verify a producer's licensing status
through the Producer Database maintained by the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners and its affiliates or
subsidiaries.
(c) A:
(1) person who holds an Indiana nonresident producer's
license and moves from one state to another state; or
(2) a resident producer who moves from Indiana to another
state;
shall file a change of address with the Indiana department of
insurance and provide certification from the new resident state not
more than thirty (30) days after the change of legal residence. No fee
or license application is required under this subsection.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a person
licensed as a surplus lines producer in the person's home state shall
receive a nonresident surplus lines producer license under subsection
(a). Except as provided in subsection (a), nothing in this section
otherwise amends or supercedes IC 27-1-15.8, as added by this act.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a person
who is not a resident of Indiana and who is licensed as a limited lines
credit insurance producer or another type of limited lines producer
in the person's home state shall, upon application, receive a
nonresident limited lines producer license under subsection (a)
granting the same scope of authority as is granted under the license
issued by the person's home state.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3.
IC 27-1-15.6-9
Prelicensing education; exemptions
Sec. 9. (a) An individual who applies for an insurance producer
license in Indiana and who was previously licensed for the same lines
of authority in another state is not required to complete any
prelicensing education or examination. However, the exemption
provided by this subsection is available only if:
(1) the individual is currently licensed in the other state; or
(2) the application is received within ninety (90) days after the
cancellation of the applicant's previous license and:
(A) the other state issues a certification that, at the time of
cancellation, the applicant was in good standing in that state;
or
(B) the state's Producer Database records that are maintained
by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, its
affiliates, or its subsidiaries, indicate that the producer is or
was licensed in good standing for the line of authority
requested.
(b) If a person is licensed as an insurance producer in another
state and moves to Indiana, the person, to be authorized to act as an
insurance producer in Indiana, must make application to become a
resident licensee under section 6 of this chapter within ninety (90)
days after establishing legal residence in Indiana. However, the
person is not required to take prelicensing education or examination
to obtain a license for any line of authority for which the person held
a license in the other state unless the commissioner determines
otherwise by rule.
(c) An individual who:
(1) has attained the designation of chartered life underwriter,
certified financial planner, chartered financial consultant, or
another nationally recognized designation approved by the
commissioner or the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners; and
(2) applies for an insurance producer license in Indiana
requesting qualification under sections:
(A) 7(a)(1);
(B) 7(a)(2); or
(C) 7(a)(5);
of this chapter;
is not required to complete prelicensing education and is required to
take only the portion of the examination required under section 5(b)
of this chapter that pertains to Indiana laws and rules.
(d) An individual who:
(1) has attained the designation of chartered property and
casualty underwriter, certified insurance counselor, accredited
advisor in insurance, or another nationally recognized
designation approved by the commissioner or the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners; and
(2) applies for an insurance producer license in Indiana
requesting qualification under sections:
(A) 7(a)(3);
(B) 7(a)(4); or
(C) 7(a)(6);
of this chapter;
is not required to complete prelicensing education and is required to
take only the portion of the examination required under section 5(b)
of this chapter that pertains to Indiana laws and rules.
(e) An individual who:
(1) has attained a bachelor's degree in insurance; and
(2) applies for an insurance producer license in Indiana
requesting qualification under section 7(a)(1) through 7(a)(6) of
this chapter;
is not required to complete prelicensing education and is required to
take only the part of the examination required under section 5 of this
chapter that pertains to Indiana laws and rules.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.11-2011,
SEC.10.
IC 27-1-15.6-10
Use of assumed name
Sec. 10. Before an insurance producer may do business in Indiana
under any name other than the producer's legal name, the insurance
producer shall notify the commissioner of the proposed use of the
assumed name.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3.
IC 27-1-15.6-11
Temporary insurance producer license
Sec. 11. (a) If the commissioner considers the issuance of a
temporary license necessary for the servicing of an insurance
business, the commissioner, without requiring an examination, may
issue a temporary insurance producer license for a period of not more
than one hundred eighty (180) days to any of the following:
(1) To the surviving spouse or court-appointed personal
representative of a licensed individual insurance producer who
dies or becomes mentally or physically disabled:
(A) to allow adequate time for the sale of the insurance
business owned by the producer;
(B) to provide for the servicing of the insurance business
until the recovery or return of the producer to the business;
or
(C) to provide for the training and licensing of new
personnel to operate the producer's business.
(2) To a member or employee of a business entity licensed as an
insurance producer, upon the death or disability of an individual
designated in the business entity application or the license.
(3) To the designee of a licensed individual insurance producer
entering active service in the armed forces of the United States
of America.
(4) To an individual in any other circumstance where the
commissioner considers the public interest to be best served by
the issuance to the individual of a temporary insurance producer
license.
(b) The commissioner may by order limit the authority of a
temporary licensee in any way considered necessary to protect
insureds and the public. The commissioner may require the
temporary licensee to have a suitable sponsor who is a licensed
producer or insurer and who assumes responsibility for all acts of the
temporary licensee and may impose other, similar requirements
designed to protect insureds and the public.
(c) The commissioner may by order revoke a temporary insurance
producer license if the interest of insureds or the public are
endangered. A temporary insurance producer license issued under
subsection (a)(1)(A) expires at the time the owner or the personal
representative disposes of the business.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3.
IC 27-1-15.6-12
Penalties
Sec. 12. (a) For purposes of this section, "permanently revoke"
means that:
(1) the producer's license shall never be reinstated; and
(2) the former licensee, after the license revocation, is not
eligible to submit an application for a license to the department.
(b) The commissioner may reprimand, levy a civil penalty, place
an insurance producer on probation, suspend an insurance producer's
license, revoke an insurance producer's license for a period of years,
permanently revoke an insurance producer's license, or refuse to
issue or renew an insurance producer license, or take any
combination of these actions, for any of the following causes:
(1) Providing incorrect, misleading, incomplete, or materially
untrue information in a license application.
(2) Violating:
(A) an insurance law;
(B) a regulation;
(C) a subpoena of an insurance commissioner; or
(D) an order of an insurance commissioner;
of Indiana or of another state.
(3) Obtaining or attempting to obtain a license through
misrepresentation or fraud.
(4) Improperly withholding, misappropriating, or converting
any monies or properties received in the course of doing
insurance business.
(5) Intentionally misrepresenting the terms of an actual or
proposed insurance contract or application for insurance.
more of the partners, officers, or managers of the partnership or
corporation and:
(1) the violation was not reported to the commissioner; and
(2) no corrective action was taken.
(f) In addition to or in lieu of any applicable denial, suspension,
or revocation of a license under subsection (b), a person may, after
a hearing, be subject to the imposition by the commissioner under
subsection (b) of a civil penalty of not less than fifty dollars ($50)
and not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000). A penalty imposed
under this subsection may be enforced in the same manner as a civil
judgement.
(g) A licensed insurance producer or limited lines producer shall,
not more than ten (10) days after the producer receives a request in
a registered or certified letter from the commissioner, furnish the
commissioner with a full and complete report listing each insurer
with which the licensee has held an appointment during the year
preceding the request.
(h) If a licensee fails to provide the report requested under
subsection (g) not more than ten (10) days after the licensee receives
the request, the commissioner may, in the commissioner's sole
discretion, without a hearing, and in addition to any other sanctions
allowed by law, suspend any insurance license held by the licensee
pending receipt of the appointment report.
(i) The commissioner shall promptly notify all appointing insurers
and the licensee regarding any suspension, revocation, or termination
of a license by the commissioner under this section.
(j) The commissioner may not grant, renew, continue, or permit
to continue any license if the commissioner finds that the license is
being used or will be used by the applicant or licensee for the
purpose of writing controlled business. As used in this subsection,
"controlled business" means:
(1) insurance written on the interests of:
(A) the applicant or licensee;
(B) the applicant's or licensee's immediate family; or
(C) the applicant's or licensee's employer; or
(2) insurance covering:
(A) the applicant or licensee;
(B) members of the applicant's or licensee's immediate
family; or
(C) either:
(i) a corporation, limited liability company, association, or
partnership; or
(ii) the officers, directors, substantial stockholders,
partners, members, managers, employees of such a
corporation, limited liability company, association, or
partnership;
of which the applicant or licensee or a member of the
applicant's or licensee's immediate family is an officer,
director, substantial stockholder, partner, member, manager,
associate, or employee.
IC 27-1-15.6-13
No consideration given to unlicensed sellers
Sec. 13. (a) An insurance company or insurance producer shall not
pay a commission, service fee, brokerage fee, or other valuable
consideration to a person for selling, soliciting, or negotiating
insurance in Indiana if the person is required to be licensed under
this chapter and is not licensed.
(b) A person shall not accept a commission, service fee, brokerage
fee, or other valuable consideration for selling, soliciting, or
negotiating insurance in Indiana if the person is required to be
licensed under this chapter and is not licensed.
(c) Renewal commissions or other deferred commissions may be
paid to a person for selling, soliciting, or negotiating insurance in
Indiana if the person was required to be licensed under this chapter
and was licensed at the time of the sale, solicitation, or negotiation.
(d) An insurer or insurance producer may pay or assign
commissions, service fees, brokerage fees, or other valuable
consideration to an insurance agency or to a person who does not
sell, solicit, or negotiate insurance in Indiana, unless the payment
would violate IC 27-1-20-30.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3.
IC 27-1-15.6-14
Insurance producer acting as agent of insurer
Sec. 14. An insurance producer shall not act as an agent of an
insurer unless the insurance producer becomes an appointed producer
of the insurer. An insurance producer who is not acting as an agent
of an insurer is not required to become appointed.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3.
IC 27-1-15.6-15
Notification of termination
Sec. 15. (a) An insurer or authorized representative of an insurer
that terminates the appointment, employment, contract, or other
insurance business relationship with a producer shall notify the
commissioner not more than thirty (30) days after the effective date
of the termination using a format prescribed by the commissioner, if:
(1) the reason for termination is described in section 12 of this
chapter; or
(2) the insurer has knowledge that the producer was found by a
court, a government body, or a self-regulatory organization
authorized by law to have engaged in any of the activities
described in section 12 of this chapter.
Upon the written request of the insurance commissioner, the insurer
shall provide additional information, documents, records, and other
data pertaining to the termination or activity of the producer.
(b) If an insurer discovers, upon further review or investigation,
additional information that would have been reportable to the
commissioner under subsection (a) had the insurer known of the
existence of the additional information, the insurer or an authorized
representative of the insurer shall promptly notify the commissioner
of the additional information in a format acceptable to the
commissioner.
(c) A copy of the notification of termination of a producer that
must be provided to the commissioner under this section shall also
be provided to the producer as follows:
(1) Not more than fifteen (15) days after making the notification
required under subsection (a) or (b), the insurer shall mail a
copy of the notification to the producer at the producer's last
known address. If the producer is terminated for cause for any
of the reasons described in section 12 of this chapter, the
insurer shall provide a copy of the notification to the producer
at the producer's last known address by certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by overnight delivery
using a nationally recognized carrier.
(2) Not more than thirty (30) days after the producer has
received the original or additional notification, the producer
may file written comments concerning the substance of the
notification with the commissioner. The producer shall, by the
same means used by the producer to file the written comments
with the commissioner, simultaneously send a copy of the
comments to the reporting insurer, and the comments shall
become a part of the commissioner's file and accompany every
copy of a report distributed or disclosed for any reason about
the producer as permitted under subsection (e).
(d) Immunities under this section are as follows:
(1) In the absence of actual malice, an insurer, an authorized
representative of an insurer, a producer, the commissioner, and
an organization of which the commissioner is a member and
that compiles information and makes it available to other
insurance commissioners or regulatory or law enforcement
agencies are immune from civil liability, and a civil cause of
action of any nature shall not arise against these entities or their
respective agents or employees, as a result of:
(A) a statement or information required by or provided under
this section or any information relating to a statement that
may be requested in writing by the commissioner from an
insurer or producer; or
(B) a statement by a terminating insurer to a producer or by
a producer to a terminating insurer;
limited solely and exclusively to whether a termination for
cause referred to in subsection (a) was reported to the
commissioner, provided that the propriety of any termination
for cause referred to in subsection (a) is certified in writing by
an officer or authorized representative of the insurer or
producer terminating the relationship.
(2) In any action brought against a person that may have
immunity under subdivision (1) for:
(A) making a statement required under this section; or
(B) providing information relating to a statement that may be
requested by the commissioner;
the party bringing the action must plead specifically in any
allegation that subdivision (1) does not apply because the
person making the statement or providing the information did
so with actual malice.
(3) Existing statutory or common law privileges or immunities
are not abrogated or modified by subdivision (1) or (2).
(e) Confidentiality under this section is as follows:
(1) Documents, materials, and other forms of information in the
control or possession of the department that are:
(A) furnished by:
(i) an insurer or producer; or
(ii) an employee or agent of an insurer acting on behalf of
the insurer or producer; or
(B) obtained by the commissioner in an investigation under
this section;
terminations that are open to public inspection under IC 5-14,
to a database or other clearinghouse service maintained by the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners or by its
affiliates or subsidiaries.
(f) If an insurer, an authorized representative of an insurer, or a
producer fails to report as required under this section or is found to
have reported falsely with actual malice by a court of competent
jurisdiction, the commissioner may, after notice and hearing, suspend
or revoke the license or certificate of authority of the insurer,
authorized representative, or producer, and may fine the insurer,
authorized representative, or producer under IC 27-4-1-6.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3.
IC 27-1-15.6-16
Nonresident license applicant with license from other state
Sec. 16. (a) The commissioner shall waive any requirements,
except the requirements imposed by section 8 of this chapter, for a
nonresident license applicant with a valid license from the applicant's
home state if the applicant's home state awards nonresident licenses
to residents of Indiana on the same basis.
(b) A nonresident producer's satisfaction of the nonresident
producer's home state's continuing education requirements for
licensed insurance producers also satisfies Indiana's continuing
education requirements if the non-resident producer's home state
recognizes the satisfaction of the non-resident producer's home state's
continuing education requirements imposed upon producers from
Indiana on the same basis.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3.
IC 27-1-15.6-17
Reports of administrative actions or criminal prosecutions against
producers
Sec. 17. (a) A producer shall report to the commissioner any
administrative action taken against the producer in another
jurisdiction or by another governmental agency in Indiana not more
than thirty (30) days after the final disposition of the matter. The
report shall include a copy of the order, consent to order, or other
relevant legal documents.
(b) Not more than thirty (30) days after an initial pretrial hearing
date, a producer shall report to the commissioner any criminal
prosecution of the producer initiated in any jurisdiction. The report
shall include a copy of the initial complaint filed, the order resulting
from the hearing, and any other relevant legal documents.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3.
IC 27-1-15.6-18
Issuance of limited lines producer's license without examination
Sec. 18. The commissioner may issue a limited lines producer's
license to the following without examination:
(1) A person who is a ticket-selling producer of a common
carrier and who will act only with reference to the issuance of
insurance on personal effects carried as baggage, in connection
with the transportation provided by such common carrier.
(2) A person who will only negotiate or solicit limited travel
accident insurance in transportation terminals.
(3) A limited line credit insurance producer.
(4) A person who will only negotiate or solicit insurance under
Class 2(j) of IC 27-1-5-1.
(5) Any person who will negotiate or solicit a kind of insurance
that the commissioner finds does not require an examination to
demonstrate professional competency.
(6) A person that will sell, solicit, or negotiate only portable
electronics insurance as provided in IC 27-1-15.9.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.4-2012, SEC.2.
IC 27-1-15.6-19
Prearranged funeral insurance
Sec. 19. (a) As used in this section, "prearranged funeral
insurance" means insurance that is used to fund any of the following:
(1) A funeral trust under IC 30-2-10 and IC 30-2-13.
(2) Any other arrangement for advance payment of funeral and
burial expenses.
(b) A person shall not sell, solicit, or negotiate prearranged
funeral insurance unless the person is licensed as either of the
following:
(1) An insurance producer with a life qualification under
section 7 of this chapter.
(2) A limited lines producer.
(c) A person may be licensed as a limited lines producer to sell
only prearranged funeral insurance if the person is:
(1) licensed under IC 25-15-4-3; and
(2) granted a change in status under subsection (d).
(d) If, after a person is licensed under this chapter as an insurance
producer with a life qualification, the person wants to limit the
person's insurance business solely to the sale of prearranged funeral
insurance, the person must:
(1) request the commissioner to issue the person a limited lines
producer's license under this chapter; and
(2) show proof of having completed ten (10) hours of
continuing education credit approved by the department.
(e) If the commissioner receives a request and proof under
subsection (d), the commissioner shall issue a limited lines
producer's license, subject to the provisions of this chapter relating
to limited lines producer's licenses.
(f) A person issued a limited lines producer's license under
subsection (e) may sell only prearranged funeral insurance.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.1-2002,
SEC.107.
IC 27-1-15.6-20
Crop hail insurance
Sec. 20. (a) As used in this section, "crop hail insurance" means
insurance that is used only in the event of hail related disasters to
growing farm crops.
(b) As used in this section, "multi-peril crop insurance" means
insurance that is:
(1) used in the event of weather related disasters or insect
infestations during the growing season; and
(2) guaranteed by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
(c) To sell multi-peril crop insurance or crop hail insurance, a
person must be licensed under this chapter.
(d) If, after a person is licensed under this chapter as an insurance
producer, the person wants to limit the person's insurance business
solely to the sale of:
(1) multi-peril crop insurance;
(2) crop hail insurance; or
(3) multi-peril crop insurance and crop hail insurance;
the person may request the commissioner to issue to the person a
limited lines producer's license under this chapter.
(e) If the commissioner:
(1) receives a request from a person under subsection (d); and
(2) the person shows proof of having completed ten (10) hours
of continuing education credit approved by the department;
IC 27-1-15.6-21
Service of process
Sec. 21. (a) Service of process upon any nonresident producer
licensee in any action or proceeding in any court of competent
jurisdiction of Indiana arising out of the nonresident producer's
insurance business in Indiana may be made by serving the
commissioner with appropriate copies thereof and paying to the
commissioner a fee of two dollars ($2). The commissioner shall
forward a copy of such process by registered or certified mail to the
licensee at the licensee's last known address of record or principal
place of business, and shall keep a record of all processes so served
upon the commissioner.
(b) The service of process under subsection (a) is sufficient if
notice of the service and a copy of the process are sent to the licensee
at the licensee's last known address of record or principal place of
business by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested not
more than ten (10) days after the commissioner is served.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3.
IC 27-1-15.6-22
Compensation; restrictions
Sec. 22. An insurance producer may not receive compensation for
the sale, solicitation, negotiation, or renewal of any insurance policy
issued to any person or entity for whom the insurance producer, for
a fee, acts as a consultant for that policy unless:
(1) the insurance producer provides to the insured a written
agreement in accordance with section 23(c) of this chapter; and
(2) the insurance producer discloses to the insured the following
information prior to the sale, solicitation, negotiation, or
renewal of any policy:
(A) The fact that the insurance producer will receive
compensation for the sale of the policy.
(B) The method of compensation.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.193-2006,
SEC.3.
IC 27-1-15.6-23
Insurance consultant license
Sec. 23. (a) An individual or corporation shall not engage in the
business of an insurance consultant until a consultant license has
been issued to the individual or corporation by the commissioner.
However, a consultant license is not required for the following:
(1) An attorney licensed to practice law in Indiana acting in the
attorney's professional capacity.
(2) A duly licensed insurance producer or surplus lines
producer.
(3) A trust officer of a bank acting in the normal course of the
trust officer's employment.
(4) An actuary or a certified public accountant who provides
information, recommendations, advice, or services in the
actuary's or certified public accountant's professional capacity.
(b) An application for a license to act as an insurance consultant
shall be made to the commissioner on forms prescribed by the
commissioner. An applicant may limit the scope of the applicant's
consulting services by stating the limitation in the application. The
areas of allowable consulting services are:
(1) Class 1, consulting regarding the kinds of insurance
specified in IC 27-1-5-1, Class 1; and
(2) Class 2 and Class 3, consulting regarding the kinds of
insurance specified in IC 27-1-5-1, Class 2 and Class 3.
Within a reasonable time after receipt of a properly completed
application form, the commissioner shall hold a written examination
for the applicant that is limited to the type of consulting services
designated by the applicant, and may conduct investigations and
propound interrogatories concerning the applicant's qualifications,
residence, business affiliations, and any other matter that the
commissioner considers necessary or advisable in order to determine
compliance with this chapter or for the protection of the public.
(c) For purposes of this subsection, "consultant's fee" does not
include a late fee charged under section 24 of this chapter or fees
otherwise allowed by law. A consultant shall provide consultant
services as outlined in a written agreement. The agreement must be
signed by the person receiving services, and a copy of the agreement
must be provided to the person receiving services before any services
are performed. The agreement must outline the nature of the work to
be performed by the consultant and the method of compensation of
the consultant. The signed agreement must be retained by the
consultant for not less than two (2) years after completion of the
services. A copy of the agreement shall be made available to the
commissioner. In the absence of an agreement on the consultant's fee,
the consultant shall not be entitled to recover a fee in any action at
law or in equity.
(d) An individual or corporation shall not concurrently hold a
consultant license and an insurance producer's license, surplus lines
producer's license, or limited lines producer's license at any time.
(e) A licensed consultant shall not:
(1) employ;
(2) be employed by;
(3) be in partnership with; or
(4) receive any remuneration whatsoever;
IC 27-1-15.6-24
Commercial property and casualty insurance
Sec. 24. (a) This section applies to commercial property and
casualty insurance coverage described in Class 2 and Class 3 of
IC 27-1-5-1.
(b) A licensed insurance producer may charge a commercial
insured a reasonable fee to reimburse the insurance producer for
expenses incurred by the insurance producer at the specific request
of the commercial insured, subject to the following requirements:
(1) Before incurring any expense described in this subsection,
the insurance producer must provide written notice to the
commercial insured stating that a fee will be charged and setting
forth the:
(A) amount of the fee; or
(B) basis for calculating the fee.
(2) The amount of a fee and the basis for calculating a fee may
not vary among commercial insureds.
(3) Any fee that is charged must be identified separately from
premium and itemized in any bill provided to the commercial
insured.
(c) A licensed insurance producer may charge a commercial
insured a reasonable fee for services that are provided at the request
of the commercial insured in connection with a policy that provides
coverage described in subsection (a) and for which the insurance
producer does not receive a commission or other compensation,
subject to the following requirements:
(1) Before providing services, the insurance producer must
provide to the commercial insured a written description of the
services to be provided and the fee for the services.
(2) Any fee that is charged must be identified separately from
premium and itemized in any bill provided to the commercial
insured.
(d) A licensed insurance producer who acts as a consultant and
provides services described in this section shall comply with the
requirements of this section and section 23 of this chapter.
(e) A licensed insurance producer may charge a late fee for
agency billed accounts or policies that are more than thirty (30) days
delinquent. A late fee may not exceed one and three quarters percent
(1.75%) per month of the amount due on the due date.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3.
IC 27-1-15.6-24.1
Personal property and casualty fees
Sec. 24.1. A licensed insurance producer may charge a reasonable
fee for personal lines property and casualty insurance or services
related to personal lines property and casualty insurance subject to
the following requirements:
(1) The amount of a fee and the basis for calculating a fee may
not vary among personal lines insureds.
(2) The amount of a fee is subject to the approval of the
commissioner.
As added by P.L.173-2007, SEC.12.
IC 27-1-15.6-25
Representation of a fraternal benefit society
Sec. 25. An individual who performed the functions of a person
representing a fraternal benefit society before July 1, 1977, is not
required to take an examination, but is entitled to have an insurance
producer's license issued to the individual, subject to IC 27-1-15.7
and the requirements of this chapter.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3.
IC 27-1-15.6-26
Limited lines producer
Sec. 26. A person who performed the functions of a limited lines
producer negotiating or soliciting the type of insurance described in
IC 27-1-5-1, Class 2(j) before July 1, 1977, is not required to take an
examination, but is entitled to have an insurance producer's license
issued to the individual, subject to IC 27-1-15.7 and the requirements
of this chapter.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3.
IC 27-1-15.6-27
Solicitor's license
Sec. 27. A person who held a valid solicitor's license on July 1,
1977, is subject to the same rights and responsibilities under a
solicitor's license as the rights and responsibilities that were in effect
before enactment of this chapter.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3.
IC 27-1-15.6-28
Suspension of license
Sec. 28. (a) Upon receiving an order of a court issued under
IC 31-14-12-7 or IC 31-16-12-10 (or IC 31-1-11.5-13(m) or
IC 31-6-6.1-16(m) before their repeal), the commissioner shall:
(1) suspend a license issued under this chapter to the person
who is the subject of the order; and
(2) promptly mail a notice to the last known address of the
person who is the subject of the order, stating the following:
(A) That the person's license is suspended beginning five (5)
business days after the date the notice is mailed, and that the
suspension will terminate not earlier than ten (10) business
days after the commissioner receives an order allowing
reinstatement from the court that issued the suspension
order.
(B) That the person has the right to petition for reinstatement
of a license issued under this chapter to the court that issued
the order for suspension.
(b) The commissioner shall not reinstate a license suspended
under subsection (a) until the commissioner receives an order
allowing reinstatement from the court that issued the order for
suspension.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3.
IC 27-1-15.6-29
Probationary status
Sec. 29. (a) Upon receiving an order from the bureau (Title IV-D
agency) under IC 31-25-4-32(i), the commissioner shall send to the
person who is the subject of the order a notice that does the
following:
(1) States that the person is delinquent and is subject to an order
placing the person on probationary status.
(2) Explains that unless the person contacts the bureau and:
(A) pays the person's child support arrearage in full;
(B) establishes a payment plan with the bureau to pay the
arrearage, which must include an income withholding order
under IC 31-16-15-2 or IC 31-16-15-2.5; or
(C) requests a hearing under IC 31-25-4-33;
within twenty (20) days after the date the notice is mailed, the
commissioner shall place the person on probationary status with
respect to a license issued to the person under this chapter.
(3) Explains that the person may contest the bureau's
determination that the person is delinquent and subject to an
order placing the person on probationary status by making
written application to the bureau within twenty (20) days after
the date the notice is mailed.
(4) Explains that the only basis for contesting the bureau's
determination that the person is delinquent and subject to an
order placing the person on probationary status is a mistake of
fact.
(5) Explains the procedures to:
(A) pay the person's child support arrearage in full;
(B) establish a payment plan with the bureau to pay the
arrearage, which must include an income withholding order
under IC 31-16-15-2 or IC 31-16-15-2.5; and
(C) request a hearing under IC 31-25-4-33.
(6) Explains that the probation will terminate ten (10) business
days after the commissioner receives a notice from the bureau
that the person has:
(A) paid the person's child support arrearage in full; or
(B) established a payment plan with the bureau to pay the
arrearage, which includes an income withholding order
under IC 31-16-15-2 or IC 31-16-15-2.5.
(b) Upon receiving an order from the bureau (Title IV-D agency)
under IC 31-25-4-34(d), the commissioner shall send a notice to the
person who is the subject of the order stating the following:
(1) That a license issued to the person under this chapter has
been placed on probationary status, beginning five (5) business
days after the date the notice was mailed, and that the probation
will terminate ten (10) business days after the commissioner
receives a notice from the bureau that the person has:
(A) paid the person's child support arrearage in full; or
(B) established a payment plan with the bureau to pay the
arrearage, which includes an income withholding order
under IC 31-16-15-2 or IC 31-16-15-2.5.
(2) That if the commissioner is advised by the bureau that the
person whose license has been placed on probationary status
has failed to:
(A) pay the person's child support arrearage in full; or
(B) establish a payment plan with the bureau to pay the
arrearage, which includes an income withholding order
under IC 31-16-15-2 or IC 31-16-15-2.5;
within twenty (20) days after the date the notice is mailed, the
commissioner shall suspend the person's license.
(c) If the commissioner receives a notice by the bureau (Title
IV-D agency) under IC 31-25-4-32(i) that the person whose license
has been placed on probationary status has failed to:
(1) pay the person's child support arrearage in full; or
(2) establish a payment plan with the bureau to pay the
arrearage, which includes an income withholding order under
IC 31-16-15-2 or IC 31-16-15-2.5;
within twenty (20) days after the notice required under subsection (b)
is mailed, the commissioner shall suspend the person's license.
(d) The commissioner may not reinstate any license placed on
probation or suspended under this section until the commissioner
receives a notice from the bureau that the person has:
(1) paid the person's child support arrearage in full; or
(2) established a payment plan with the bureau to pay the
arrearage, which includes an income withholding order under
IC 31-16-15-2 or IC 31-16-15-2.5.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.145-2006,
SEC.164; P.L.103-2007, SEC.8.
IC 27-1-15.6-29.5
Determination of suspension or revocation of license
Sec. 29.5. If the commissioner receives a copy of a final order
from the securities commissioner under IC 23-19-6-4(h), the
commissioner shall:
(1) determine whether the person who is the subject of the final
order is licensed by the department under this chapter; and
(2) if the person is licensed under this chapter, institute
proceedings to determine whether the person's license should be
suspended or revoked.
The determination under subdivision (2) may be based solely on the
final order by the securities commissioner.
As added by P.L.48-2006, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.27-2007,
SEC.27.
IC 27-1-15.6-30
Authority to enforce compliance
Sec. 30. The commissioner and the director of the department of
financial institutions shall consult with each other and assist each
other in enforcing compliance with the provisions of IC 28
concerning the sale of life insurance policies and annuity contracts.
The commissioner and the director of the department of financial
institutions may jointly conduct investigations, prosecute suits, and
take other official action that the commissioner and the director
consider appropriate under this section if either the commissioner or
the director is empowered to take the action. If the director of the
department of financial institutions is informed by a financial
institution or its affiliate of a violation or suspected violation of any
provision of IC 28 concerning the sale of life insurance policies or
annuity contracts or of the insurance laws and rules of Indiana, the
director of the department of financial institutions shall timely advise
the commissioner of the violation. If the commissioner is informed
by a financial institution or its affiliate of a violation or suspected
violation of any provision of IC 28 concerning the sale of life
insurance policies or annuity contracts or of the insurance laws and
rules of Indiana, the commissioner shall timely advise the director of
the department of financial institutions of the violation.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.1-2002,
SEC.108.
IC 27-1-15.6-31
Producers not to be named as beneficiaries
Sec. 31. An insurance producer shall not:
(1) be named a beneficiary of;
(2) become an owner of; or
(3) receive a collateral assignment of;
an individual life insurance policy or individual annuity contract
unless the insurance producer has an insurable interest in the life of
the insured or annuitant. A beneficiary designation, ownership
designation, or collateral assignment made in violation of this section
is void.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3.
IC 27-1-15.6-32
Fees for licensure
Sec. 32. (a) The department shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to
set fees for licensure under this chapter, IC 27-1-15.7, and
IC 27-1-15.8.
(b) Insurance producer and limited lines producer license renewal
fees are due every two (2) years. The fee charged by the department
every two (2) years for a:
(1) resident license is forty dollars ($40); and
(2) nonresident license is ninety dollars ($90).
(c) Consultant renewal fees are due every twenty-four (24)
months.
(d) Surplus lines producer renewal fees are due every two (2)
years. The fee charged by the department every two (2) years for a:
(1) resident license is eighty dollars ($80); and
(2) nonresident license is one hundred twenty dollars ($120).
(e) The commissioner may issue a duplicate license for any
license issued under this chapter. The fee charged by the
commissioner for the issuance of a duplicate:
(1) insurance producer license;
(2) surplus lines producer license;
(3) limited lines producer license; or
(4) consultant license;
may not exceed ten dollars ($10).
(f) A fee charged and collected under this section shall be
deposited into the department of insurance fund established by
IC 27-1-3-28.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.173-2007,
SEC.13; P.L.234-2007, SEC.190.
IC 27-1-15.6-33
Rules
Sec. 33. Except as otherwise provided in section 32 of this
chapter, the commissioner may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to carry
out the purposes of this chapter.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3.
IC 27-1-15.6-34
Hearings
Sec. 34. All hearings held under this chapter are governed by
IC 4-21.5-3. The commissioner may appoint members of the
commissioner's staff to act as hearing officers for purposes of
hearings held under this chapter.
As added by P.L.132-2001, SEC.3.