§ 27-8.1-2 - Definitions. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 27-8.1-2

   § 27-8.1-2  Definitions. – (a) "Action" includes nonaction, inaction, or failure to take action.

   (b) "Authorized agency" means:

   (1) The state fire marshal, deputy fire marshal, or assistantdeputy fire marshals;

   (2) The superintendent of state police, or principalinvestigating officer of the state police;

   (3) The attorney general or assistant attorneys general;

   (4) The chief, deputy chief, or principal investigatingofficer of the police department of the city or town where a fire occurs;

   (5) The chief, deputy chief, or principal investigatingofficer of the fire department of the city or town or fire district where afire occurs;

   (6) The federal bureau of investigation or any comparablefederal investigatory agency; or

   (7) The United States attorney or assistant districtattorneys for the district where a fire occurs.

   (c) "Deemed crucial" means determined by an authorized agencyacting within its sole discretion to be decisive or critical to aninvestigation and/or prosecution by that agency.

   (d) "Immune" means that neither a civil action nor a criminalprosecution may be maintained or instituted by virtue of any action takenpursuant to § 27-8.1-3, 27-8.1-4, or 27-8.1-5, or any other provision ofthis chapter, in the absence of actual malice on the part of the insurer,lending institution, party in interest, or authorized agency, against theinsured.

   (e) "Insurer" means any insurance company incorporated by orunder the laws of this state, and any foreign insurance company admitted to dobusiness in this state, which issues fire insurance coverage on real orpersonal property risks located within the state.

   (f) "Lending institution" means any corporation incorporatedby or under the law of this state and any foreign corporation admitted to dobusiness in this state which makes any loan which is secured in whole or inpart by a mortgage upon any interest in real property located in this state.

   (g) "Party in interest" means any person, firm, association,corporation, or other association of persons engaged:

   (1) In any phase of the business of fire coverage which issubject to the regulatory authority of the department of business regulation orthe appropriate regulatory division of the department; or

   (2) In any phase of the business of making loans inassociation with, on behalf of, or in conjunction with a lending institution.

   (h) "Relevant" means having a propensity or tendency to makethe existence of any fact, which is of consequence to the investigation ordetermination of an issue, more probable or less probable than in the absenceof that information.