3923.16 Misleading or deceptive advertising prohibited. - Ohio Statutes

3923.16 Misleading or deceptive advertising prohibited.

No insurer doing business in this state, and no insurance agent, solicitor, or broker, shall use in connection with the solicitation of sickness and accident insurance any advertising copy, advertising practice, or plan of solicitation which is materially misleading or deceptive. An advertising copy, advertising practice, or plan of solicitation is materially misleading or deceptive if, by implication or otherwise, it transmits information in such manner or of such substance that a prospective applicant for sickness and accident insurance may be led thereby to his material damage.

If, after due notice and hearing, the superintendent of insurance finds that any such advertising copy, advertising practice, or plan of solicitation is materially misleading or deceptive, he shall order the insurer, agent, solicitor, or broker using such copy, practice, or plan to cease such use. Upon making such a finding the superintendent may also, by order, suspend the certificate of authority of such insurer to transact business within this state, or suspend the license issued to such agent, solicitor, or broker, for a period of not more than ninety days.

If the superintendent finds, after due notice and hearing, that any authorized insurer, licensed insurance agent, licensed insurance solicitor, or licensed insurance broker has willfully violated any such order to cease, he may suspend or revoke the certificate of authority of such insurer, or the license issued to such agent, solicitor, or broker.

Effective Date: 07-01-1956