48.32.080 - Duties and powers of the commissioner. - Washington Statutes

Duties and powers of the commissioner.

(1) The commissioner shall:

     (a) Notify the association promptly whenever he or she or any of his or her examiners has, or comes into, possession of any data or information relative to any insurer under his or her jurisdiction for any purpose indicating that such insurer is in or is approaching a condition of impaired assets, imminent insolvency, or insolvency.

     (b) Furnish to the association copies of all preliminary and final audits, investigations, memorandums, opinions, and reports relative to any insurer under his or her jurisdiction for any purpose, promptly upon the preparation of any thereof.

     (c) Notify the association of the existence of an insolvent insurer not later than three days after he receives notice of the determination of the insolvency. The association shall be entitled to a copy of any complaint seeking an order of liquidation with a finding of insolvency against a member insurer at the same time such complaint is filed with a court of competent jurisdiction.

     (d) Upon request of the board of directors, provide the association with a statement of the net direct written premiums of each member insurer.

     (2) The commissioner may:

     (a) Require that the association notify the insureds of the insolvent insurer and any other interested parties of the determination of insolvency and of their rights under this chapter. Such notification shall be by mail at their last known address, where available, but if sufficient information for notification by mail is not available, notice by publication or in a newspaper of general circulation shall be sufficient.

     (b) Suspend or revoke, after notice and hearing, the certificate of authority to transact insurance in this state of any member insurer which fails to pay an assessment when due or fails to comply with the plan of operation. As an alternative, the commissioner may levy a fine on any member insurer which fails to pay an assessment when due. Such fine shall not exceed five percent of the unpaid assessment per month, except that no fine shall be less than one hundred dollars per month.

     (c) Revoke the designation of any servicing facility if he or she finds claims are being handled unsatisfactorily.

     (3) Whenever the commissioner or any of his or her examiners comes into possession of or obtains any data or information indicating that any insurer under his or her jurisdiction for any purpose is in or is approaching a condition of impaired assets, imminent insolvency, or insolvency, he or she shall within fifteen days of having such data or information commence investigation and/or take formal action relative to any such insurer, and in addition within said time shall notify the association of such condition. Upon failure of the commissioner so to act, the association is hereby authorized and directed to act and commence appropriate investigation or proceedings or may at its option refer the matter to the attorney general for appropriate action relative to which the attorney general shall keep the association advised throughout any such action or proceedings.

     (4) Any final action or order of the commissioner under this chapter shall be subject to judicial review in a court of competent jurisdiction.

[2009 c 549 § 7138; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 109 § 7; 1971 ex.s. c 265 § 8.]