48.17.480 - Reporting and accounting for premiums. - Washington Statutes

Reporting and accounting for premiums.

(1) An insurance producer, title insurance agent, or any other representative of an insurer involved in the procuring or issuance of an insurance contract shall report to the insurer the exact amount of consideration charged as premium for such contract, and such amount shall likewise be shown in the contract and in the records of the insurance producer, title insurance agent, or other representative. Each willful violation of this provision is a misdemeanor.

     (2) All funds representing premiums or return premiums received by an insurance producer or title insurance agent shall be so received in the insurance producer's or title insurance agent's fiduciary capacity, and shall be promptly accounted for and paid to the insured, insurer, title insurance agent, or insurance producer as entitled thereto.

     (3) Any person licensed under this chapter who receives funds which belong to or should be paid to another person as a result of or in connection with an insurance transaction is deemed to have received the funds in a fiduciary capacity. The licensee shall promptly account for and pay the funds to the person entitled to the funds.

     (4) Any insurance producer, title insurance agent, adjuster, or other person licensed under this chapter who, not being lawfully entitled thereto, diverts or appropriates funds received in a fiduciary capacity or any portion thereof to his or her own use, is guilty of theft under chapter 9A.56 RCW.

[2007 c 117 § 26; 2003 c 53 § 269; 1988 c 248 § 12; 1947 c 79 § .17.48; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 45.17.48.]

Notes: Intent -- Effective date -- 2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.