Chapter 701a

(1949 Rev., S. 6057; 1967, P.A. 526, S. 3; P.A. 90-243, S. 22; P.A. 94-160, S. 3, 24; P.A. 95-79, S. 145, 146, 189; P.A. 96-227, S. 11; P.A. 97-317, S. 2, 4; P.A. 01-113, S. 41, 42.)

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Sec. 38a-702a. Definitions. As used in this chapter and chapter 702, unless the context or subject matter otherwise require:

(1) “Agent” or “insurance agent” means an insurance producer appointed by an insurer to act on the insurer's behalf pursuant to section 38a-702m.

(2) “Business entity” means a corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or other legal entity.

(3) “Commissioner” means the Insurance Commissioner.

(4) “Home state” means any state or territory of the United States, including, but not limited to, the District of Columbia, in which an insurance producer maintains the producer's principal place of residence or principal place of business and is licensed to act as an insurance producer.

(5) “Insurance” means any of the lines of authority contained in this title.

(6) “Insurance producer” or “producer” means a person required to be licensed under the laws of this state to sell, solicit or negotiate insurance.

(7) “Insurer” has the same meaning as provided in section 38a-1.

(8) “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.

(9) “Limited line credit insurance” includes credit life, credit disability, credit property, credit unemployment, involuntary unemployment, mortgage life, mortgage guaranty, mortgage disability, guaranteed automobile protection insurance and any other form of insurance offered in connection with an extension of credit that is limited to partially or wholly extinguishing that credit obligation that the commissioner determines should be designated a form of limited line credit insurance.

(10) “Limited line credit insurance producer” means a person who sells, solicits or negotiates one or more forms of limited line credit insurance coverage to individuals through a master, corporate, group or individual policy.

(11) “Limited lines insurance” means credit insurance and travel insurance, or any other line of insurance that the commissioner deems necessary to recognize for the purpose of complying with section 38a-702g.

(12) “Limited lines producer” means a person authorized by the commissioner to sell, solicit or negotiate limited lines insurance.

(13) “Negotiate” means the act of conferring directly with, or offering advice directly to, a purchaser or prospective purchaser of a particular contract of insurance concerning any of the substantive benefits, terms or conditions of the contract, provided the person engaged in that act either sells insurance or obtains insurance from insurers for purchasers.

(14) “Person” means an individual or a business entity.

(15) “Sell” means to exchange a contract of insurance by any means, for money or its equivalent, on behalf of an insurance company.

(16) “Solicit” means attempting to sell insurance or asking or urging a person to apply for a particular kind of insurance from a particular company.

(17) “Terminate” means the cancellation of the relationship between an insurance producer and the insurer or the termination of a producer's authority to transact insurance.

(18) “Uniform business entity application” means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners uniform business entity application for resident and nonresident business entities, as amended from time to time.

(19) “Uniform application” means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners uniform application for resident and nonresident producer licensing, as amended from time to time.

(P.A. 01-113, S. 1, 42; P.A. 17-15, S. 80.)

History: P.A. 01-113 effective September 1, 2002; P.A. 17-15 made technical changes in Subdivs. (7) and (11).

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Sec. 38a-702b. Producer license required. A person shall not sell, solicit or negotiate insurance in this state for any class or classes of insurance unless the person is licensed for that line of authority in accordance with sections 38a-702a to 38a-702r, inclusive.

(P.A. 01-113, S. 2, 42.)

History: P.A. 01-113 effective September 1, 2002.

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Sec. 38a-702c. Exceptions to licensing requirement. (a) Nothing in sections 38a-702a to 38a-702r, inclusive, shall be construed to require an insurer to obtain an insurance producer license. As used in this section, “insurer” does not include an insurer's officers, directors, employees, subsidiaries or affiliates.

(b) A license as an insurance producer shall not be required of the following: (1) An officer, director or employee of an insurer or of an insurance producer, provided the officer, director or employee does not receive any commission on policies written or sold to insure risks residing, located or to be performed in this state and (A) the officer's, director's or employee's activities are executive, administrative, managerial, clerical or a combination thereof, and are only indirectly related to the sale, solicitation or negotiation of insurance; or (B) the officer's, director's or employee's functions relate 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 where the person'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 (A) secures and furnishes information for the purpose of (i) group life insurance, group property and casualty insurance, group annuities, group or blanket accident and health insurance, (ii) enrolling individuals under plans, or (iii) issuing certificates under plans or otherwise assisting in administering plans; or (B) performs administrative services related to mass marketed property and casualty insurance; provided no commission is paid to the person for the services performed under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this subdivision; (3) an employer or association or its officers, directors, employees, or the trustees of an employee trust plan, to the extent that the employer, association officer, employee, director or trustee is engaged in the administration or operation of a program of employee benefits for the employer's or association's own employees or the employees of its subsidiaries or affiliates, which program involves the use of insurance issued by an insurer, provided the employer, association, officer, director, employee or trustee is not in any manner compensated, directly or indirectly, by the company issuing the contracts; (4) an employee of an insurer, or an organization employed by an insurer, that is engaged in the inspection, rating or classification of risks, or in the supervision of the training of insurance producers and who is not individually engaged in the sale, solicitation or negotiation of insurance; (5) a person whose activities in this state are limited to advertising without the intent to solicit insurance in this state through communications in printed publications or other forms of electronic mass media whose distribution is not limited to residents of the state, provided the person does not sell, solicit or negotiate insurance that would insure risks residing, located or to be performed in this state; (6) a person who is not a resident of this state 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 state insured under the contract, provided the person is otherwise licensed as an insurance producer to sell, solicit or negotiate such insurance in the state where the insured maintains its principal place of business and the contract of insurance insures risks located in that state; or (7) a salaried full-time employee who counsels or advises his or her employer relative to the insurance interests of the employer or of the subsidiaries or business affiliates of the employer provided the employee does not sell or solicit insurance or receive a commission.

(P.A. 01-113, S. 3, 42.)

History: P.A. 01-113 effective September 1, 2002.

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Sec. 38a-702d. Examinations. Fees. (a) A resident individual applying for an insurance producer license shall pass a written examination unless exempt under section 38a-702h. The examination shall test the knowledge of the individual concerning the lines of authority for which application is made, the duties and responsibilities of an insurance producer and the insurance laws and regulations of this state, except that no additional course or examination shall be required for the line of variable life and variable annuity products. Examinations required by this section shall be developed and conducted under rules prescribed by the commissioner, or regulations which the commissioner may adopt pursuant to section 38a-702p.

(b) The commissioner may make arrangements, including, but not limited to, contracting with an outside testing service, for administering examinations and collecting the nonrefundable fee set forth in section 38a-11.

(d) An individual who fails to appear for the examination as scheduled or fails to pass the examination shall reapply for an examination and remit all required fees and forms before being scheduled for another examination.

(P.A. 01-113, S. 4, 42.)

History: P.A. 01-113 effective September 1, 2002.

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Sec. 38a-702e. Application for license. Examination. Waiver of examination requirement. Exception for limited lines producers. (a) A person applying for a resident insurance producer license shall make application to the commissioner on the uniform application and declare under penalty of refusal, suspension or revocation of the license that the statements made in the application are true, correct and complete to the best of the individual's knowledge and belief. The commissioner shall not approve the application unless the commissioner finds that the individual (1) is at least eighteen years of age; (2) has not committed any act that is a ground for denial, suspension or revocation set forth in section 38a-702k; (3) has completed, where required by the commissioner, a prelicensing course of study for the lines of authority for which the person has applied; (4) has paid the fees set forth in section 38a-11; and (5) has successfully passed the examinations for the lines of authority for which the person has applied.

(b) A business entity acting as an insurance producer shall obtain an insurance producer license. Application shall be made using the uniform business entity application. The commissioner shall not approve the application unless the commissioner finds that (1) the business entity has paid the fees set forth in section 38a-11; and (2) the business entity has designated a licensed producer responsible for the business entity's compliance with the insurance laws, rules and regulations of this state.

(c) The commissioner may require the applicant to submit any documents reasonably necessary to verify the information contained in an application.

(d) Each insurer that sells, solicits or negotiates any form of limited line credit insurance shall provide to each individual whose duties will include selling, soliciting or negotiating limited line credit insurance a program of instruction that may be approved by the commissioner.

(e) Each applicant for an insurance producer license shall, before being admitted to an examination under subsection (a) of this section, prove to the satisfaction of the commissioner that such applicant meets one of the following prerequisites: (1) Successful completion of a course approved by the commissioner requiring not less than twenty hours for each line of insurance for which the applicant is applying to be licensed; or (2) equivalent experience or training as determined by the commissioner.

(f) The commissioner may waive the requirement for examination for any applicant who, at any time within the year preceding the date of application for an insurance producer license, was licensed in this state under a license of the same type as the license applied for.

(g) Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 702 or sections 38a-702a to 38a-702r, inclusive, no examination or prelicensing education shall be required of an applicant for a limited lines producer license.

(P.A. 01-113, S. 5, 42; P.A. 02-19, S. 1; P.A. 04-10, S. 8; P.A. 21-137, S. 7.)

History: P.A. 01-113 effective September 1, 2002; P.A. 02-19 added new Subsecs. (e) to (g), inclusive, re prerequisites for examination, waiver of examination requirement and exception from examination requirement for limited lines producers, respectively, effective September 1, 2002; P.A. 04-10 made technical changes in Subsec. (e); P.A. 21-137 amended Subsec. (e) by substituting “twenty” for “forty”.

See Sec. 38a-702s re additional grounds for denial of producer licenses.

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Sec. 38a-702f. Producer licenses. Reinstatement. Waivers. Notice to commissioner re change in information. Commissioner authorized to contract for performance of ministerial functions re licensing. (a) Unless a person is denied a license pursuant to section 38a-702k, any person who has met the requirements of sections 38a-702d and 38a-702e shall be issued an insurance producer license. An insurance producer may receive qualification for a license in one or more of the following lines of authority (1) life: insurance coverage on human lives including benefits of endowment and annuities, which may include benefits in the event of death or dismemberment by accident and benefits for disability income; (2) accident and health or sickness: insurance coverage for sickness, bodily injury or accidental death which may include benefits for disability income; (3) property: insurance coverage for the direct or consequential loss or damage to property of every kind; (4) casualty: insurance coverage against legal liability, including legal liability for death, injury or disability or damage to real or personal property; (5) variable life and variable annuity products: insurance coverage provided under variable life insurance contracts and variable annuities; (6) personal lines: property and casualty coverage sold to individuals and families for noncommercial purposes; (7) credit: limited line credit insurance; and (8) any other line of insurance permitted under this state's laws or regulations.

(b) An insurance producer license shall remain in effect unless revoked or suspended provided the fee specified in section 38a-11 is paid and the continuing education requirements for resident individual producers are met by the due date.

(c) An individual insurance producer who allows an insurance producer's license to lapse may, not later than twelve months after the due date of the renewal fee, reinstate the same license without being required to pass a written examination, except that a penalty in the amount of double the unpaid renewal fee shall be required for any renewal fee received after the due date.

(d) A licensed insurance producer who is unable to comply with license renewal procedures due to military service or some other extenuating circumstance, such as a long-term medical disability, may request a waiver of those procedures. The producer may also request a waiver of any examination requirement or any other fine or sanction imposed for failure to comply with renewal procedures.

(e) The license shall contain the licensee's name, address, personal identification number, and the date of issuance, the lines of authority, the expiration date and any other information the commissioner deems necessary.

(f) Licensees shall inform the commissioner by any means acceptable to the commissioner of any change of licensee information as required under section 38a-771. If, upon investigation, the commissioner determines that a licensee has failed to timely inform the commissioner of a change in legal name or address, the commissioner shall impose a penalty pursuant to section 38a-774.

(g) The commissioner may contract with nongovernmental entities, including, but not limited to, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, to perform any ministerial functions related to producer licensing that the commissioner deems appropriate. Such ministerial functions may include the collection of licensing fees.

(P.A. 01-113, S. 6, 42.)

History: P.A. 01-113 effective September 1, 2002.

See Sec. 38a-702s re additional grounds for denial of producer licenses.

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Sec. 38a-702g. Nonresident licenses. (a) Unless a person is denied a license pursuant to section 38a-702k, 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 38a-11; (3) the person has submitted or transmitted to the commissioner the application for licensure that the person submitted to the person's home state, or in lieu of the same, a completed uniform application, provided an applicant for a surplus lines broker license or limited lines credit insurance producer license may submit any other application acceptable to the commissioner; and (4) the person's home state awards nonresident producer licenses to residents of this state on the same basis.

(b) The commissioner may verify the producer's licensing status through the producer database maintained by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, its affiliates or subsidiaries.

(c) A nonresident producer who moves to this state from another state or a resident producer who moves from this state to another state shall file a change of address and provide certification from the new resident state not later than thirty days after the change of legal residence. No licensing fee or application shall be required from a producer moving to this state pursuant to this section.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of sections 38a-702a to 38a-702r, inclusive, a person licensed as a surplus lines broker in the person's home state shall receive a nonresident surplus lines broker license pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, nothing in this section otherwise amends or supersedes any provision of sections 38a-740 to 38a-745, inclusive.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of sections 38a-702a to 38a-702r, inclusive, a person licensed as a limited line credit insurance producer or other type of limited lines producer in the producer's home state shall receive a nonresident limited lines producer license, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, granting the same scope of authority as granted under the license issued by the producer's home state. For the purpose of this section, limited line insurance is any authority granted by the home state which restricts the authority of the license to less than the total authority prescribed in the associated major lines pursuant to subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of subsection (a) of section 38a-702f.

(P.A. 01-113, S. 7, 42; P.A. 02-24, S. 15; P.A. 04-257, S. 64.)

History: P.A. 01-113 effective September 1, 2002; P.A. 02-24 amended Subsec. (a)(3) to substitute “broker” for “brokers”, effective September 1, 2002; P.A. 04-257 made a technical change in Subsec. (d), effective June 14, 2004.

See Sec. 38a-702s re additional grounds for denial of producer licenses.

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Sec. 38a-702h. Exemption from examination. Requirements for producers in other states who become residents of Connecticut. Waiver of examination for certain chartered underwriters. (a) Except as provided in section 38a-702g or 38a-702n, an individual who applies for an insurance producer license in this state and who was previously licensed for the same lines of authority in another state shall not be required to complete any prelicensing education or examination if the application is received not later than ninety days after the cancellation of the applicant's previous license and if the prior state issues a certification that, at the time of cancellation, the applicant was in good standing in that state or the state's producer database records, maintained by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, its affiliates or subsidiaries, indicate that the producer is or was licensed in good standing for the line of authority requested.

(b) A person licensed as an insurance producer in another state who moves to this state shall make application not later than ninety days after establishing legal residence to become a resident licensee pursuant to section 38a-702e. No prelicensing education or examination shall be required of such person for any line of authority previously held in the prior state except where the commissioner determines otherwise by regulation, which the commissioner may adopt in accordance with chapter 54.

(c) The commissioner may waive the requirement of an examination for a license to act as a producer for (1) property and casualty insurance in the case of any applicant who has been awarded the professional designation of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter, and (2) life and accident insurance in the case of any applicant who has been awarded the professional designation of Chartered Life Underwriter.

(P.A. 01-113, S. 8, 42; P.A. 04-77, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 01-113 effective September 1, 2002; P.A. 04-77 added Subsec. (c) re waiver of examination for Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters and Chartered Life Underwriters.

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Sec. 38a-702i. Notice to commissioner re use of assumed name. An insurance producer doing business under any name other than the producer's legal name shall notify the commissioner prior to using the assumed name.

(P.A. 01-113, S. 9, 42.)

History: P.A. 01-113 effective September 1, 2002.

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Sec. 38a-702j. Temporary producer licenses. (a) The commissioner may issue a temporary insurance producer license for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty days without requiring an examination if the commissioner deems that the temporary license is necessary for the servicing of an insurance business in the following cases: (1) To the surviving spouse or court-appointed personal representative of a licensed insurance producer who dies or becomes mentally or physically disabled to allow adequate time for the sale of the insurance business owned by the producer or for the recovery or return of the producer to the business or 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 insurance producer entering active service in the armed forces of the United States; or (4) in any other circumstance where the commissioner deems that the public interest will best be served by the issuance of the license.

(b) The commissioner may limit the authority of any temporary licensee in any way deemed 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. The commissioner may revoke a temporary license if the interests of insureds or the public are endangered. A temporary license may not continue after the owner or the personal representative disposes of the business.

(P.A. 01-113, S. 10, 42.)

History: P.A. 01-113 effective September 1, 2002.

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Sec. 38a-702k. Denial, nonrenewal or revocation of producer licenses. Hearings. Penalties. (a) The commissioner may place on probation, suspend, revoke or refuse to issue or renew an insurance producer's license or may levy a civil penalty in accordance with the provisions of this title, or may take any combination of such actions, for any one or more of the following causes: (1) Providing incorrect, misleading, incomplete or materially untrue information in the license application; (2) violating any insurance laws, or violating any regulation, subpoena or order of the commissioner or of another state's commissioner; (3) obtaining or attempting to obtain a license through misrepresentation or fraud; (4) improperly withholding, misappropriating or converting any moneys or properties received in the course of doing an insurance business; (5) intentionally misrepresenting the terms of an actual or proposed insurance contract or application for insurance; (6) having been convicted of a felony; (7) having admitted or been found to have committed any insurance unfair trade practice or fraud; (8) using fraudulent, coercive or dishonest practices, or demonstrating incompetence, untrustworthiness or financial irresponsibility in the conduct of business in this state or elsewhere; (9) having an insurance producer license, or its equivalent, denied, suspended or revoked in any other state, province, district or territory; (10) forging another's name to an application for insurance or to any document related to an insurance transaction; (11) improperly using notes or any other reference material to complete an examination for an insurance license; (12) knowingly accepting insurance business from an individual who is not licensed; (13) failing to comply with an administrative or court order imposing a child support obligation; or (14) failing to pay state income tax or comply with any administrative or court order directing payment of state income tax.

(b) If the action by the commissioner is to nonrenew a license or to deny an application for a license, the commissioner shall notify the applicant or licensee and advise, in writing, the applicant or licensee of the reason for the denial or nonrenewal of the applicant's or licensee's license. The applicant or licensee may make written demand upon the commissioner, not later than thirty days after the notice, for a hearing before the commissioner to determine the reasonableness of the commissioner's action. The hearing shall be held not later than twenty days after receipt of such request and shall be held pursuant to section 38a-19.

(c) The license of a business entity may be suspended, revoked or refused if the commissioner finds, after hearing, that an individual licensee's violation was known or should have been known by one or more of the partners, officers or managers acting on behalf of the partnership or corporation and the violation was neither reported to the commissioner nor corrective action taken.

(d) In addition to or in lieu of any applicable denial, suspension or revocation of a license, a person may, after hearing, be subject to a civil fine pursuant to section 38a-774.

(e) The commissioner shall retain the authority to enforce the provisions of, and impose any penalty or remedy authorized by, this title against any person who is under investigation for or charged with a violation of this title even if the person's license or registration has been surrendered or has lapsed by operation of law.

(P.A. 01-113, S. 11, 42.)

History: P.A. 01-113 effective September 1, 2002.

See Sec. 38a-702s re additional grounds for denial of producer licenses.

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Sec. 38a-702l. Producer commissions. (a) An insurance company or insurance producer shall not pay a commission, service fee, brokerage or other valuable consideration to a person for selling, soliciting or negotiating insurance in this state if the person is required to be licensed under sections 38a-702a to 38a-702r, inclusive, and is not so licensed.

(b) A person shall not accept a commission, service fee, brokerage or other valuable consideration for selling, soliciting or negotiating insurance in this state if the person is required to be licensed under sections 38a-702a to 38a-702r, inclusive, and is not so licensed.

(c) Renewal or other deferred commissions may be paid to a person, or an heir or assignee of the person, for selling, soliciting or negotiating insurance in this state if the person was required to be licensed under sections 38a-702a to 38a-702r, inclusive, at the time of the sale, solicitation or negotiation and was so licensed at that time.

(d) An insurer or insurance producer may pay or assign commissions, service fees, brokerages or other valuable consideration to an insurance agency or to persons who do not sell, solicit or negotiate insurance in this state, unless the payment would violate section 38a-825.

(P.A. 01-113, S. 12, 42; P.A. 04-77, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 01-113 effective September 1, 2002; P.A. 04-77 amended Subsec. (c) to add “or an heir or assignee of the person”.

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Sec. 38a-702m. Agent appointments. Fees. (a) An insurance producer shall not act as an agent of an insurer unless the insurance producer becomes an appointed agent of the insurer. An insurance producer who is not acting as an agent of an insurer is not required to become appointed.

(b) To appoint a producer as its agent, the appointing insurer shall file, in a form approved by the commissioner, a notice of appointment not later than fifteen days after the date the agency contract is executed or the first insurance application is submitted. An insurer may elect to appoint a producer to all or some of the affiliated companies within the insurer's holding company system or group by filing a single appointment request, provided the commissioner (1) has implemented an electronic system capable of processing such filings; and (2) has previously notified insurers doing business in this state that such filings are acceptable. An insurer that appoints a producer to more than one affiliated company within the insurer's holding company or system shall pay the fee specified by section 38a-11 for each affiliated company to which the producer is appointed.

(c) Upon receipt of the notice of appointment, the commissioner shall verify within a reasonable time not to exceed thirty days that the insurance producer is eligible for appointment. If the insurance producer is determined to be ineligible for appointment, the commissioner shall notify the insurer not later than five days after the commissioner's determination.

(d) An insurer shall pay an appointment fee, in the amount set forth in section 38a-11, for each insurance producer appointed by the insurer.

(e) An insurer shall remit, in a manner prescribed by the commissioner, a renewal appointment fee in the amount set forth in section 38a-11.

(P.A. 01-113, S. 13, 42.)

History: P.A. 01-113 effective September 1, 2002.

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Sec. 38a-702n. Reciprocity. (a) The commissioner shall waive any prelicensing requirements, except the requirements imposed by section 38a-702g, 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 this state on the same basis.

(b) A nonresident producer's satisfaction of the producer's home state's continuing education requirements for licensed insurance producers shall constitute satisfaction of this state's continuing education requirements if the nonresident producer's home state recognizes the satisfaction of its continuing education requirements imposed upon producers from this state on the same basis.

(P.A. 01-113, S. 14, 42.)

History: P.A. 01-113 effective September 1, 2002.

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Sec. 38a-702o. Producer to report administrative actions and criminal prosecutions to commissioner. (a) A producer shall report to the commissioner any administrative action taken against the producer in another jurisdiction or by another governmental agency in this state not later than thirty 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 later than thirty days after the initial pretrial hearing date, a producer shall report to the commissioner any criminal prosecution taken against the producer 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.

(P.A. 01-113, S. 15, 42.)

History: P.A. 01-113 effective September 1, 2002.

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Sec. 38a-702p. Regulations. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of sections 38a-702a to 38a-702r, inclusive.

(P.A. 01-113, S. 16, 42.)

History: P.A. 01-113 effective September 1, 2002.

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Sec. 38a-702q. Applicability of provisions. Except as provided in section 38a-702g and section 38a-702n, sections 38a-702a to 38a-702r, inclusive, shall not apply to surplus lines brokers licensed pursuant to section 38a-769 or 38a-794.

(P.A. 01-113, S. 17, 42; P.A. 14-235, S. 59.)

History: P.A. 01-113 effective September 1, 2002; P.A. 14-235 replaced reference to excess and surplus lines agents with reference to surplus lines brokers and replaced reference to Secs. 38a-740 to 38a-745 with reference to Sec. 38a-769.

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Sec. 38a-702r. Construction. Provisions not applicable to bail bond or title insurance. Nothing in sections 38a-702a to 38a-702q, inclusive, shall be construed as applicable to bail bond insurance under chapter 700f, or title insurance under chapter 700a.

(P.A. 01-113, S. 18, 42.)

History: P.A. 01-113 effective September 1, 2002.

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Sec. 38a-702s. Additional grounds for denial of producer licenses. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of section 38a-702e, subsection (a) of section 38a-702f or subsection (a) of section 38a-702g, in addition to the grounds for denial of an insurance producer's license set forth in section 38a-702k, the Insurance Commissioner may deny an application for an insurance producer license if said commissioner determines such applicant is not properly qualified or trustworthy and that granting such license is against the public interest. The provisions of subsection (b) of section 38a-702k shall apply to any such denial.

(P.A. 14-216, S. 2.)

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Sec. 38a-702t. Banking Commissioner to provide list of certain registrants and registration denials, suspensions and revocations. Consideration of denial, suspension or revocation for producer license application and current producer licensure. Denial, nonrenewal, suspension or revocation of producer licenses. (a) The Banking Commissioner shall provide monthly to the Insurance Commissioner, in a form and manner agreed upon by said commissioners, a list of the names and corresponding Social Security numbers of broker-dealers, agents associated with a broker-dealer or an issuer, investment advisers and investment adviser agents, as such terms are defined in section 36b-3, (1) who are currently registered with the Banking Commissioner, and (2) who have had their registrations denied, suspended or revoked pursuant to section 36b-15 during the preceding ten years. The list under subdivision (2) of this subsection shall include the reason for such denial, suspension or revocation.

(b) (1) The Insurance Commissioner shall determine whether any applicant for an insurance producer license who submits such application on or after October 1, 2014, or any currently licensed insurance producer is included in the list set forth in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section.

(2) (A) If the Insurance Commissioner determines that an applicant for an insurance producer license is included in the list under subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section, said commissioner shall consider, in addition to the grounds for denial of a license set forth in section 38a-702k, the denial, suspension or revocation of such applicant's registration under section 36b-15 in determining whether to grant such license. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of section 38a-702e, subsection (a) of section 38a-702f or subsection (a) of section 38a-702g, said commissioner may deny such application if said commissioner determines such applicant is not properly qualified or trustworthy and that granting such license is against the public interest.

(B) If such application is denied, the Insurance Commissioner shall notify the applicant and advise, in writing, the applicant of the reason for the denial of the applicant's license. The applicant may make written demand upon said commissioner, not later than thirty days after the applicant receives such notice, for a hearing before said commissioner to determine the reasonableness of said commissioner's action. The hearing shall be held in accordance with section 38a-19.

(C) An individual aggrieved by a final order or decision of the Insurance Commissioner in denying an insurance producer license under this section may appeal therefrom in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183, except venue for such appeal shall be in the judicial district of New Britain.

(3) (A) If the Insurance Commissioner determines that a licensed insurance producer is included in the list under subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section, said commissioner shall consider, if the denial, suspension or revocation of such licensee's registration under section 36b-15 was not previously known to said commissioner, whether such denial, suspension or revocation, in addition to the grounds for nonrenewal, suspension or revocation of a license set forth in section 38a-702k, materially affects the qualifications or trustworthiness of such licensee. Said commissioner shall, after reasonable notice to such licensee, hold a hearing to make such determination. Said commissioner may nonrenew, suspend or revoke an insurance producer license of such licensee if said commissioner determines such licensee is not qualified or trustworthy and that renewing or continuing such license is against the public interest.

(B) If such license is nonrenewed, suspended or revoked, the Insurance Commissioner shall notify the licensee and advise, in writing, the licensee of the reason for such nonrenewal, suspension or revocation. An individual aggrieved by an order or decision of said commissioner in nonrenewing, suspending or revoking a life insurance producer license under this section may appeal therefrom in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183, except venue for such appeal shall be in the judicial district of New Britain.

(P.A. 14-216, S. 1.)

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Sec. 38a-703. (Formerly Sec. 38-70). Soliciting business for unlicensed insurance or surety company prohibited. No person shall, within this state, solicit or procure insurance, except with regard to his own property or person, with or by any insurance company that does not hold a certificate then in force from the commissioner authorizing such insurance company to do such insurance business in this state, or deliver policies or collect premiums of or for any such company; nor shall any person aid in any way in the transaction in this state of any insurance business with or by any insurance company not thus authorized, except to obtain insurance upon his own property or person. Any person who aids any corporation, association or person not authorized to do insurance business in this state in soliciting such business from residents of this state, by means of any advertisement published in this state or by any other means, shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

(1949 Rev., S. 6058; P.A. 08-178, S. 24.)

History: Sec. 38-70 transferred to Sec. 38a-703 in 1991; P.A. 08-178 made technical changes and increased maximum fine from $100 to $2,000.

Annotation to former section 38-70:

Cited. 9 CA 622.

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Sec. 38a-704. (Formerly Sec. 38-71). Penalty for acting as insurance producer without license. Any person, partnership, association, limited liability company or corporation, or any person, partnership, association, limited liability company or corporation acting under a trade name, that acts within this state, either on the person's own behalf or as a representative or agent of any other person or partnership, association, limited liability company or corporation or any other person, partnership, association, limited liability company or corporation acting under a trade name, as an insurance producer, as defined in section 38a-702a, unless such person holds an insurance producer license then in force from the commissioner authorizing the person so to act, shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than three months, or both.

(1949 Rev., S. 6059, 6066; P.A. 90-243, S. 24; P.A. 94-160, S. 4, 24; P.A. 95-79, S. 187–189; P.A. 01-113, S. 19, 42; P.A. 08-178, S. 25.)

History: P.A. 90-243 removed public adjusters from purview of section; Sec. 38-71 transferred to Sec. 38a-704 in 1991; P.A. 94-160 amended the section to include partnerships, associations or corporations or any of such acting under a trade name to more accurately reflect the current modernization and nomenclature of the industry, effective January 1, 1996; P.A. 95-79 included a person who acts as representative of a limited liability company, effective May 31, 1995; P.A. 01-113 substituted “section 38a-702a” for “subsection (1) of section 38a-702” and made technical changes for the purpose of gender neutrality, effective September 1, 2002; P.A. 08-178 made technical changes and increased maximum fine from $500 to $10,000.

See Sec. 38a-413 re title agent and title insurer exemption.

Annotations to former section 38-71:

Cited. 162 C. 508.

Cited. 5 CA 616.

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Sec. 38a-705. (Formerly Sec. 38-73). Exemption of fraternal benefit societies. The provisions of sections 38a-703, 38a-704 and 38a-769 shall not apply to any otherwise lawful activities of fraternal benefit societies.

(1949 Rev., S. 6065; 1957, P.A. 448, S. 45.)

History: Sec. 38-73 transferred to Sec. 38a-705 in 1991.

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Sec. 38a-706. (Formerly Sec. 38-75). Sharing commission. Section 38a-706 is repealed, effective September 1, 2002.

(1949 Rev., S. 6063; P.A. 94-160, S. 5, 24; P.A. 01-113, S. 41, 42.)

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Sec. 38a-707. (Formerly Sec. 38-75a). Producer service fees and commissions limited. Exemption for registration under the federal Investment Advisers Act. Disclosures. (a) No insurance producer shall have any right to compensation, other than commissions deductible from premiums on insurance policies or contracts, from any insured or prospective insured for or on account of the negotiation or procurement of, or other services in connection with, any contract of insurance made or negotiated in this state or for any other services on account of any such insurance policies or contracts, including, but not limited to, adjustment of claims arising therefrom, unless such right to compensation is based upon a written memorandum, signed by the party to be charged, and specifying or clearly defining the amount or extent of such compensation, provided such compensation is in compliance with regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

(b) The Insurance Commissioner may, by regulation, establish a reasonable schedule of maximum fees which may be charged by insurance producers or he may regulate such fees on an individual basis.

(c) Nothing herein contained shall affect the right of any such producer to recover from the insured the amount of any premium or premiums for insurance effected by or through such producer.

(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to an insurance producer who is an advisory representative of a registered investment adviser registered pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, 15 USC 80b-1, et seq., provided the insurance producer makes full disclosure in a written memorandum, signed by the party to be charged, which specifies the amount of such fee or compensation for services performed pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and which also discloses that a commission may be paid to the insurance producer from the sale of any insurance.

(1969, P.A. 738; P.A. 77-614, S. 163, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 286, 348; P.A. 90-243, S. 32; P.A. 94-160, S. 6, 24; P.A. 96-48, S. 1.)

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Sec. 38a-707a. Producer compensation. Disclosure and customer acknowledgment. (a) As used in this section:

(1) “Affiliate” means a person who (A) controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with a producer, and (B) is permitted to receive compensation pursuant to this chapter;

(2) “Compensation from an insurer or other third party” means payments, commissions, fees, awards, overrides, bonuses, contingent commissions, loans, stock options, gifts, prizes or other forms of valuable consideration, whether or not payable pursuant to a written agreement;

(3) “Compensation directly from the customer” does not include any fee or amount allowed under section 38a-707 and regulations adopted pursuant to said section or any fee or amount collected by or paid to the producer that does not exceed an amount established by the commissioner pursuant to section 38a-707;

(4) “Customer” does not include a person whose only relationship to the producer or affiliate with respect to the placement of insurance is as (A) a participant or beneficiary of an employee benefit plan, or (B) a person covered under a group or blanket insurance policy or group annuity contract;

(5) “Documented acknowledgment” means the customer's written consent, except that in the case of a purchase over the telephone or by electronic means for which written consent cannot reasonably be obtained, “documented acknowledgment” includes consent documented by the producer; and

(6) “Insurance producer” or “producer” means an insurance producer, as defined in section 38a-702a, except that “insurance producer” or “producer” does not include (A) a person such as a managing general agent, sales manager or wholesale broker who is licensed as an insurance producer and who acts only as an intermediary between an insurer and the customer's producer, or (B) a reinsurance intermediary.

(b) If an insurance producer or affiliate of such producer receives any compensation directly from a customer for the initial placement of insurance, neither the producer nor the affiliate shall accept or receive any compensation from an insurer or other third party for that placement of insurance unless the producer has, prior to the time the policy is delivered to the customer:

(1) Obtained the customer's documented acknowledgment that such compensation will be received by the producer or affiliate; and

(2) Disclosed the amount of compensation that the producer or affiliate will receive from the insurer or other third party for the placement, except that if the amount of compensation is not known at the time of disclosure, the producer shall disclose the specific method for calculating such compensation and, if possible, a reasonable estimate of the amount.

(1) An insurance producer who (A) does not receive compensation directly from the customer for the placement of insurance, and (B) discloses to the customer prior to the time the policy is delivered to the customer:

(i) That the producer will receive compensation from an insurer in connection with that placement; or

(ii) That, in connection with that placement of insurance, the insurance producer represents the insurer and that the producer may provide services to the customer for the insurer;

(2) The placement of insurance in surplus lines or residual markets; or

(3) A producer whose sole compensation is derived from commissions or other remuneration from the insurer.

(P.A. 05-61, S. 1.)

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Sec. 38a-707b. Disclosure of producer fees and compensation upon request of municipality or board of education. (a) For purposes of this section, “insurance”, “insurance producer” and “insurer” have the same meanings as provided in section 38a-702a, and “municipality” means any town, city or borough, consolidated town and city or consolidated town and borough.

(b) Any insurance producer who sells, solicits or negotiates insurance on behalf of an insurer to a municipality or local or regional board of education shall, upon request from the municipality or local or regional board of education, fully disclose, in writing, the amount of any fees or compensation such insurance producer receives from the insurer for such services pursuant to the written memorandum required under section 38a-707 or the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, 15 USC 80b-1, et. seq., as amended from time to time.

(P.A. 10-174, S. 2.)

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Sec. 38a-708. (Formerly Sec. 38-76a). Company to furnish facts relative to termination of agent's appointment. False statement sole grounds for cause of action by agent. Upon the request of the Insurance Commissioner, any insurance company shall furnish to the Insurance Department the facts relative to the termination of an agent's appointment and the causes thereof. No agent shall have a cause of action against any insurance company as a result of such company's having furnished to said department pursuant to this section any statement, oral or written, unless such statement is false and was known by such company to be false when made.

(1961, P.A. 85; P.A. 77-614, S. 163, 610; P.A. 79-173; P.A. 80-482, S. 287, 345, 348.)

History: P.A. 77-614 placed insurance commissioner within the department of business regulation and made insurance department a division within that department, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-173 replaced provision which had deemed every statement made pursuant to this section a privileged communication and had prohibited statements use as evidence in court action or proceedings with provision re agents cause of action; P.A. 80-482 restored insurance commissioner and division to prior independent status and abolished the department of business regulation; Sec. 38-76a transferred to Sec. 38a-708 in 1991.

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Sec. 38a-709. (Formerly Sec. 38-76b). Termination of producer's appointment and contract. (a) Any insurance company authorized to transact fire or casualty business in this state shall, upon termination of a producer's appointment by said company, permit the renewal of all contracts of insurance written by such producer for a period of eighteen months from the date of such termination, as determined by the individual underwriting requirements of said company, provided, in the event of any contract not meeting such underwriting requirements, the company shall give the producer sixty days' notice of its intention not to renew said contract, and provided further that such period of time may be reduced, in whole or in part, as the commissioner may deem necessary for the purpose of adequately protecting the insured or securing the solvency of such company.

(b) No insurance agency contract entered into in this state, by a licensed insurer with an insurance producer licensed under section 38a-769, shall be terminated by the licensed insurer appointing such producer unless the licensed insurer upon terminating such contract shall give not less than ninety days' written notice in advance to the other party unless the contract shall be terminated by the licensed insurer for failure of the producer, after receiving a written demand, to pay over moneys due to such insurer, provided during said ninety-day period after any such notice, the producer shall not write or bind any new business on behalf of the licensed insurer without the specific written approval by such insurer of such business.

(c) Any insurance company renewing contracts of insurance in accordance with this section shall pay commissions for such renewals to the terminated producer in the same amount as had been paid to him on similar policies during the twelve months immediately preceding the notice of termination.

(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any contract with a producer for the sale of life or accident and health insurance.

(1969, P.A. 485, S. 1, 2; 1971, P.A. 176; P.A. 77-199, S. 1, 12; P.A. 85-102, S. 2; P.A. 96-193, S. 15, 36.)

History: 1971 act inserted new Subsec. (c) concerning renewal commissions and relettered former Subsec. (c) accordingly; P.A. 77-199 authorized renewals for 18 months rather than one year and added proviso re reduction of time period to protect insured or secure company's solvency in Subsec. (a); P.A. 85-102 amended Subsec. (d) to specifically exclude accident and health insurance from the provisions of the section; Sec. 38-76b transferred to Sec. 38a-709 in 1991; P.A. 96-193 substituted “producer” for “agent”, effective June 3, 1996.

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Sec. 38a-710. (Formerly Sec. 38-76d). Insurers prohibited from cancelling or amending contract of independent producer solely because of adverse underwriting experience. No company shall cancel or amend the contract of an independent insurance producer for property or casualty insurance, solely because of adverse underwriting experience for the two years preceding the date of such cancellation or amendment on such lines of insurance for which the company requires submission of an application for approval or for which the company accepts without approval policies issued by its appointed producers, if the information on any such application or on the company copy of any policy issued by an appointed producer is substantially complete and not intentionally or substantially incorrect or misleading. In calculating the average loss ratio for purposes of determining adverse underwriting experience for such preceding two years, reserves against claims pending shall not be included.

(P.A. 79-277; P.A. 90-243, S. 33; P.A. 92-53, S. 1, 2; P.A. 96-193, S. 16, 36.)

History: P.A. 90-243 substituted “property” for “fire” insurance; Sec. 38-76d transferred to Sec. 38a-710 in 1991; P.A. 92-53 prohibited amending the contract of an independent insurance agent because of adverse underwriting experience; P.A. 96-193 substituted “producer” for “agent” and “appointed” for “licensed”, effective June 3, 1996.

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Sec. 38a-711. (Formerly Sec. 38-92). Payment of commissions to unlicensed persons. Section 38a-711 is repealed, effective September 1, 2002.

(1949, S. 2797d; P.A. 94-160, S. 7, 24; P.A. 98-72; P.A. 01-113, S. 41, 42.)

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Sec. 38a-712. (Formerly Sec. 38-92a). Report of failure of producer to remit premiums and of checks returned for insufficient funds or otherwise dishonored. Suspension of producer license. (a) Each insurance company authorized or permitted to do business in this state and each residual market mechanism established pursuant to section 38a-329 shall report to the Insurance Commissioner (1) any failure on the part of an insurance producer or surplus lines broker to remit premiums for policies or endorsements issued to insureds directly or through the producer within thirty days following the due date of the account of the producer with the company, its state agent or managing general agent, or (2) whenever a check issued by such producer to the company or residual market mechanism is returned for insufficient funds or otherwise dishonored and remains outstanding fifteen days following receipt of such return.

(b) If, upon investigation of a report concerning a failure to remit premiums, the commissioner determines that a producer has received premiums directly or indirectly from insureds and has failed to remit them to the proper company, its state agent or managing general agent, he may, following a hearing as specified in section 38a-774, suspend or revoke the license of the producer. Upon receipt of a report concerning a dishonored check or upon dishonor of any check, draft or other remittance upon presentment of payment, from a producer to the Insurance Department, the commissioner shall notify the producer issuing such check, draft or other remittance of the report. If an arrangement for payment of such funds is not made to the satisfaction of the commissioner by the producer within fifteen days of receipt of such notice, the license of the producer shall be automatically suspended. Within sixty days of receipt of such notice the producer may make written demand upon the commissioner for a hearing to show cause why the suspension should be terminated. Such hearing shall be held within thirty days from the date of receipt of the written demand. If by the end of the sixty-day demand period no hearing has been demanded, the license of the producer shall be revoked. The commissioner may institute procedures for the restoration of the licensee's insurance accounts to best protect the interests of all parties concerned.

(c) The commissioner may adopt such reasonable regulations as the commissioner deems necessary for the implementation of this section and specifically to provide procedures for continuing, terminating or restoring the licenses affected.

(1967, P.A. 250; P.A. 77-614, S. 163, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 289, 348; P.A. 86-36; P.A. 89-63; P.A. 90-243, S. 39; P.A. 94-39, S. 7; 94-160, S. 8, 24; P.A. 95-136, S. 4, 8; P.A. 14-235, S. 56; P.A. 15-187, S. 2; P.A. 17-15, S. 81.)

History: P.A. 77-614 placed insurance commissioner within the department of business regulation and made insurance department a division within that department, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 restored insurance commissioner and division to prior independent status and abolished the department of business regulation; P.A. 86-36 provided that the insurance company and the agent or broker shall each conduct upon the request of the commissioner, an audit of the disputed accounts, the results of which shall be sent to the commissioner, who may then conduct further investigations; P.A. 89-63 required residual market mechanisms to report failure of agent or broker to remit premiums, required a report be made when a check issued by an agent or broker to a company or residual market mechanism is returned for insufficient funds and remains outstanding 15 days, provided for automatic suspension of license if no arrangement for payment of outstanding sum is made to the satisfaction of the commissioner and deleted provisions requiring companies, agents and brokers to conduct audits upon the commissioner's request; P.A. 90-243 made technical changes and divided section into Subsecs.; Sec. 38-92a transferred to Sec. 38a-712 in 1991; P.A. 94-39 added the phrase “or otherwise dishonored” to trigger the reporting requirement when a check issued by an agent or broker to a company or residual market mechanism is dishonored for any reason; P.A. 94-160 substituted “producer” for “agent or broker” to accurately reflect the modernization and nomenclature of the industry and added “or otherwise dishonored” as a criteria to report when a check issued by a producer is returned for insufficient funds or otherwise dishonored, effective January 1, 1996; P.A. 95-136 added provision in Subsec. (b) to require the Insurance Commissioner to notify a producer of a dishonored check when such check is presented to the state Insurance Department and added provision regarding the suspension of a producer and the subsequent revocation of license, if a producer fails to make arrangements for the payment of funds related to a dishonored check or fails to demand a hearing to show cause why such suspension should be terminated, effective January 1, 1996; (Revisor's note: In 1999 a repetition of “suspended.” in Subsec. (b) before the phrase “Within sixty days of ...” was deleted editorially by the Revisors to correct a clerical error); P.A. 14-235 amended Subsec. (a) to replace reference to excess line broker with reference to surplus lines broker and make a technical change; P.A. 15-187 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “dishonor of a check issued by a producer to the Insurance Department of the state of Connecticut,” with “dishonor of any check, draft or other remittance upon presentment of payment, from a producer to the Insurance Department,” and making a conforming change; P.A. 17-15 made a technical change in Subsec. (c).

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Sec. 38a-713. (Formerly Sec. 38-89). Signing or countersigning insurance policies in blank. Penalties. Any insurance producer who signs or countersigns any policy of insurance or countersigns any endorsement thereon in blank shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars, and the commissioner shall revoke the producer's license.

(1949 Rev., S. 6074; P.A. 01-113, S. 31, 42; P.A. 08-178, S. 26.)

History: Sec. 38-89 transferred to Sec. 38a-713 in 1991; P.A. 01-113 substituted “producer” for “agent” and “the producer's” for “his”, effective September 1, 2002; P.A. 08-178 increased maximum fine from $100 to $1,000.

See Sec. 38a-774 re suspension or revocation of license.

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Sec. 38a-714. (Formerly Sec. 38-90). Personal liability of person acting on behalf of insurance company not licensed to do business in this state. Any person making within this state directly or indirectly any contract of insurance on behalf of any insurance company which is not licensed to do business in this state shall be personally liable to the insured for the performance of such contract by the insurance company.

(1949 Rev., S. 6075; P.A. 10-32, S. 122.)

History: Sec. 38-90 transferred to Sec. 38a-714 in 1991; P.A. 10-32 made a technical change, effective May 10, 2010.

See Sec. 38a-744 re liability of licensee.

Annotation to former section 38-90:

Cause of action founded on statute is of a contractual nature. 2 CS 50.

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Sec. 38a-715. (Formerly Sec. 38-90a). Payment by insured to producer as payment to company. Any payment made by or on behalf of an insured to any producer for policies of insurance which have been issued to such producer for delivery to the insured or issued directly to the insured on the order of such producer shall, in controversies between the insured and the company, be deemed to have been paid to the company.

(1963, P.A. 142; P.A. 94-160, S. 9, 24.)

History: Sec. 38-90a transferred to Sec. 38a-715 in 1991; P.A. 94-160 substituted “producer” for “broker” to accurately reflect the modernization and nomenclature of the industry, effective January 1, 1996.

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Sec. 38a-716. (Formerly Sec. 38-90b). Premium advancing by producer. Cancellation of policy. (a) If any insurance producer advances, on behalf of an insured, premium for a policy to an insurer, with respect to any property or casualty insurance policy other than one providing coverage for homeowners, tenants, private passenger nonfleet automobile, mobile manufactured home and other property and casualty insurance for personal, family or household needs and such insured has not paid the premium due, the producer may request cancellation of such policy by the insurer, provided the producer has sent, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to the insured at the address shown on the policy, a written notice that includes: (1) The name and address of the insured and the insurer, (2) policy number, (3) an itemization of the premium due the insurance producer stated separately for each policy or endorsement, including separate itemization of all payments received for and credits applied to, each policy, (4) a statement of the insurance producer's intent to request, in writing, cancellation of the policy by the insurer for nonpayment of premium, unless the default is cured not later than fifteen days after the date the notice is postmarked, (5) a statement specifying that in the event the insured submits any written response to the notice, it shall be forwarded to the insurer with the request for cancellation. If written response is received following submission of written request for cancellation, it shall be immediately forwarded to the insurer by the insurance producer. The insurer shall reply directly to the insured not later than ten days after receipt of the insured's response and forward a copy of its response to the producer.

(b) If upon receipt of the written request from the insurance producer, the insurer cancels the policy, such cancellation shall be made in accordance with the policy provisions regarding cancellation for nonpayment of premium and on a pro-rata basis. The producer is entitled to and has a lien on any return premium for the policy, to the extent of the amount owed by the insured to the producer, for such policy.

(c) Any insurance producer or insurer who violates any provisions of this section shall be subject to the provisions of section 38a-817.

(P.A. 82-59; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-3, S. 1; P.A. 94-160, S. 10, 24; P.A. 17-15, S. 82.)

History: June Sp. Sess. 83-3 changed term “mobile home” to “mobile manufactured home” in Subsec. (a); Sec. 38-90b transferred to Sec. 38a-716 in 1991; P.A. 94-160 substituted “producer” for “agent or insurance broker” to accurately reflect the modernization and nomenclature of the industry, effective January 1, 1996; P.A. 17-15 made technical changes in Subsec. (a).

See Sec. 1-2a re construction of references to “United States mail”, “postmark” or “registered or certified mail”.

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Sec. 38a-717. (Formerly Sec. 38-91). Payment of commissions to producers. Section 38a-717 is repealed, effective September 1, 2002.

(1949 Rev., S. 6076; 1961, P.A. 7; 1967, P.A. 11; P.A. 94-160, S. 11, 24; P.A. 01-113, S. 41, 42.)

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Sec. 38a-718. (Formerly Sec. 38-76c). Restrictions on negotiation of insurance incidental to extension of credit. (a) As used in this section (1) “bank holding company” has the same meaning as provided in section 36-419, and (2) “lending institution” includes, but is not limited to, banks, savings and loan associations and credit unions.

(b) No person, partnership, association or corporation licensed under the provisions of section 38a-769, which is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a bank holding company or lending institution, shall negotiate any policy of insurance applicable to any real or personal property which is security for an extension of credit by any lending institution, if approval of the transaction is contingent on the purchase of said insurance.

(c) The terms of this section shall not be construed to apply to any person, partnership, association or corporation owned or controlled by a bank holding company or any lending institution engaged in the activity prohibited hereby on December 31, 1971.

(1972, P.A. 109, S. 1–3; P.A. 07-217, S. 158; P.A. 14-122, S. 171.)

History: Sec. 38-76c transferred to Sec. 38a-718 in 1991; P.A. 07-217 made technical changes in Subsec. (a), effective July 12, 2007; P.A. 14-122 made technical changes in Subsec. (a).

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Sec. 38a-719. Reserved for future use.

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PART II

THIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATORS

Sec. 38a-720. Definitions. As used in sections 38a-720 to 38a-720n, inclusive:

(1) “Adjuster” means an independent or contracted individual who investigates or settles loss claims. “Adjuster” does not include an employee of an insurer who investigates or settles claims incurred under insurance contracts written by the insurer or an affiliated insurer.

(2) “Affiliate” or “affiliated” has the same meaning as provided in section 38a-1.

(3) “Business entity” means a corporation, a limited liability company or any other similar form of business organization, whether for profit or nonprofit.

(4) “Commissioner” means the Insurance Commissioner.

(5) “Control” or “controlled by” has the same meaning as provided in section 38a-1.

(6) “Insurance producer” has the same meaning as provided in section 38a-702a.

(7) “Insurer” or “insurance company” means any person or combination of persons doing any kind or form of insurance business other than a fraternal benefit society, and includes a captive insurance company, as defined in section 38a-91aa, a captive insurer, as defined in section 38a-91k, a licensed insurance company, a medical service corporation, a hospital service corporation, a health care center, and a consumer dental plan that provides employee welfare benefits on a self-funded basis or as defined in section 38a-577.

(8) “NAIC” means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

(9) “Person” has the same meaning as provided in section 38a-1.

(10) “Sell” means the exchange of an insurance contract for money or other consideration, by any means, on behalf of an insurance company.

(11) “Third-party administrator” means any person who directly or indirectly underwrites, collects premiums or charges from, or adjusts or settles claims on, residents of this state in connection with life, annuity or health coverage offered or provided by an insurer. “Third-party administrator” does not include:

(A) An employer administering its employee benefit plan or the benefit plan of an affiliated employer under common management and control;

(B) A union administering a benefit plan on behalf of its members;

(C) An insurer that is licensed in this state or is acting as an authorized insurer with respect to insurance lawfully issued to cover a Connecticut resident, and sales representatives thereof;

(D) An insurance producer who is licensed to sell life, annuity or health coverage in this state, whose activities are limited exclusively to the sale of insurance;

(E) A creditor acting on behalf of its debtors with respect to insurance covering a debt between the creditor and its debtors;

(F) A trust and its trustees, agents and employees acting pursuant to such trust established in conformity with 29 USC Section 186, as amended from time to time;

(G) A trust exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, and its trustees and employees acting pursuant to such trust, or a custodian and the custodian's agents and employees acting pursuant to a custodian account that meets the requirements of Section 401(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time;

(H) A credit union or a financial institution that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state banking authorities, or a mortgage lender, to the extent such credit union, financial institution or mortgage lender collects or remits premiums to licensed insurance producers or limited lines producers or to authorized insurers, in connection with loan payments;

(I) A credit card issuing company that advances or collects premiums or charges from its credit cardholders who have authorized collection;

(J) An attorney-at-law who adjusts or settles claims in the normal course of such attorney's practice or employment and who does not collect premiums or charges in connection with life, annuity or health coverage;

(K) An adjuster who is licensed in this state or is not subject to the licensure requirements of chapter 702 and whose activities are limited to adjusting claims;

(L) An insurance producer who is licensed in this state and acting as a managing general agent, as defined in section 38a-90a, whose activities are limited exclusively to those specified in said section;

(M) A business entity that is affiliated with an insurer licensed in this state and that undertakes activities as a third-party administrator only for the direct and assumed insurance business of the affiliated insurer;

(N) A consortium of federally qualified health centers funded by the state, providing services only to the recipients of programs administered by the Department of Social Services;

(O) A pharmacy benefits manager registered under section 38a-479bbb;

(P) An entity providing administrative services to the Health Reinsurance Association established under section 38a-556; or

(Q) A nonprofit association or one of its direct subsidiaries that provides access to insurance as part of the benefits or services such association or subsidiary makes available to its members.

(12) “Underwrites” or “underwriting” means the acceptance of employer or individual applications for coverage of individuals in accordance with the written rules of the insurer or self-funded plan, and the overall planning and coordination of a benefits program.

(13) “Uniform application” means the current version of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' Uniform Application for Third-Party Administrators.

(P.A. 11-58, S. 20.)

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Sec. 38a-720a. License. Exemptions. Written agreement required. (a) No person shall offer to act as or hold himself out to be a third-party administrator in this state unless such person is licensed pursuant to section 38a-720j, or is exempt from licensure pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. This requirement shall not apply to a person employed by a third-party administrator to the extent that such person's activities are under the supervision and control of the third-party administrator. The authority granted to a third-party administrator pursuant to sections 38a-720 to 38a-720i, inclusive, shall not exempt such third-party administrator's employees from the licensing requirements of chapters 701b and 702.

(b) (1) Any insurer licensed in this state that directly or indirectly underwrites, collects premiums or charges from, or adjusts or settles claims for other than its policyholders, subscribers and certificate holders shall be exempt from sections 38a-720 to 38a-720n, inclusive, provided such activities only involve the lines of insurance for which such insurer is licensed in this state. Any such insurer shall (A) be subject to the provisions of chapter 704, (B) respond to all complaint inquiries received from the Insurance Department, not later than ten calendar days after the date a complaint is received by the insurer, and (C) with respect to any advertising that mentions any customer, obtain such customer's prior written consent.

(2) Nothing in this section shall authorize the commissioner to regulate a self-insured health plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The commissioner is authorized to regulate those activities an insurer undertakes for the administration of a self-insured health plan that do not relate to the health benefit plan and that comport with the commissioner's statutory authority to regulate insurance and the business of insurance as provided for in 29 USC 1144, as amended from time to time.

(c) No third-party administrator shall act as such without a written agreement between such third-party administrator and an insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator, which shall be retained as part of the official records of both the third-party administrator and such insurer or other person for the duration of such agreement and for five years thereafter. The agreement shall contain all provisions required by this section, except insofar as those provisions that do not apply to the activities performed by the third-party administrator.

(d) The written agreement set forth in subsection (c) of this section shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) A statement of activities that the third-party administrator shall undertake on behalf of the insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator, and the lines, classes or types of insurance such third-party administrator is authorized to administer;

(2) A statement of the activities and responsibilities of the third-party administrator regarding the administration of or any standards pertaining to business underwritten by the insurer, benefits, premium rates, underwriting criteria or claims payment;

(3) A provision requiring the third-party administrator to render an accounting, on such frequency as the parties agree, that details all transactions performed by the third-party administrator pertaining to the business underwritten by the insurer or the business of the person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator;

(4) The procedures for any withdrawals to be made by the third-party administrator from the fiduciary account established under section 38a-720f. Such procedures shall address, but not be limited to: (A) Remittance to an insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator who is entitled to remittance, (B) deposit in an account maintained in the name of the insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator, (C) transfer to and deposit in a claims-paying account, with claims to be paid as provided for in subsection (d) of section 38a-720f, (D) payment to a group policyholder for remittance to the insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator entitled to such remittance, (E) payment to the third-party administrator for its commissions, fees or charges, and (F) remittance of return premiums to the person or persons entitled to such return premiums;

(5) Procedures and requirements for the disclosures required to be made by the third-party administrator under section 38a-720h; and

(6) A termination provision, by which either party to the written agreement may terminate such agreement for cause, that includes a procedure to resolve any disputes regarding the cause for termination of such agreement.

(e) A third-party administrator or insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator may, with written notice, terminate the written agreement for cause as provided in such written agreement. The insurer may suspend the underwriting authority of the third-party administrator during the pendency of any dispute regarding the cause for termination of the written agreement. The insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator shall fulfill any legal obligations with respect to policies or plans affected by the written agreement, regardless of any dispute between the third-party administrator and the insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator.

(P.A. 11-58, S. 21.)

See Sec. 19a-7j re assessment of health and welfare fee on third-party administrators doing health insurance business in state.

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Sec. 38a-720b. Payments of premiums or charges to a third-party administrator. (a) If an insurer or other person utilizes the services of a third-party administrator, the payment of any premiums or charges by or on behalf of an insured to the third-party administrator shall be deemed to have been received by the insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator.

(b) Return premium payments or claim payments forwarded by the insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator to the third-party administrator shall not be deemed to have been paid to the insured or claimant until such payments are received by such insured or claimant.

(c) Nothing in this section shall limit any right of an insurer or other person utilizing the services of a third-party administrator to bring a cause of action arising from the failure of such third-party administrator to make payments to the insurer, other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator, insureds or claimants.

(P.A. 11-58, S. 22.)

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Sec. 38a-720c. Maintenance of and access to books and records. Examination, audit and inspection. Confidentiality of information. (a)(1) Each third-party administrator shall maintain and make available to the insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator complete books and records of all transactions performed on behalf of the insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator. Each third-party administrator shall (A) maintain such books and records in accordance with prudent standards of insurance record keeping, and (B) retain such books and records for a period of not less than five years from the date of their creation.

(2) The insurer or other person utilizing the services of a third-party administrator shall own any records generated by such third-party administrator pertaining to such insurer or other person utilizing the services of such third-party administrator. The third-party administrator shall retain the right to maintain continued access to books and records to permit the third-party administrator to fulfill all of its contractual obligations to the insurer, other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator, insureds or claimants.

(b) An insurer that is affiliated with a business entity as set forth in subparagraph (M) of subdivision (11) of section 38a-720 shall be responsible for the acts of such business entity to the extent of such business entity's activities as a third-party administrator for such insurer. Such insurer shall be responsible for furnishing the books and records of all transactions performed on behalf of the insurer to the commissioner upon the commissioner's request.

(c) The commissioner shall have access for the purposes of examination, audit and inspection to books and records maintained by a third-party administrator. Any documents, materials or other information in the possession or control of the commissioner that are obtained by the commissioner from a third-party administrator, insurer, insurance producer or employee or agent thereof acting on behalf of such third-party administrator, insurer or insurance producer, in an investigation, examination or audit shall (1) be confidential by law and privileged; (2) not be subject to disclosure under section 1-210; (3) not be subject to subpoena; and (4) not be subject to discovery or admissible in evidence in any civil action. The commissioner may use such documents, materials or other information in the furtherance of any regulatory or legal action brought as a part of the commissioner's official duties.

(d) Neither the commissioner nor any person who receives documents, materials or other information as set forth in subsection (c) of this section while acting under the authority of the commissioner shall testify or be required to testify in any civil action concerning such documents, materials or information.

(e) To assist the commissioner in the performance of the commissioner's duties, the commissioner may:

(1) Share documents, materials or other information, including documents, materials or other information deemed confidential and privileged pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, with other state, federal and international regulatory agencies, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or its affiliates or subsidiaries and state, federal and international law enforcement authorities, provided the recipient of such documents, materials or other information agrees to maintain the confidentiality and privileged status of such documents, materials or other information;

(2) Receive documents, materials or other information, including confidential and privileged documents, materials or other information from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or its affiliates or subsidiaries and from regulatory and law enforcement officials of foreign or domestic jurisdictions. The commissioner shall maintain as confidential or privileged any documents, materials or other information received with notice or the understanding that such documents, materials or other information are confidential or privileged under the laws of the jurisdiction that is the source of such documents, materials or other information; and

(3) Enter into agreements governing the sharing and use of information consistent with this subsection.

(f) No waiver of any applicable privilege or claim of confidentiality in any documents, materials or other information shall occur as a result of disclosure to the commissioner or of sharing in accordance with subsection (e) of this section.

(g) Nothing in sections 38a-720 to 38a-720n, inclusive, shall prohibit the commissioner from releasing final, adjudicated actions, including for cause terminations of licenses issued to third-party administrators, to a database or other clearinghouse service maintained by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or its affiliates or subsidiaries.

(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section, if a written agreement set forth in subsection (c) of this section is terminated, the third-party administrator may, by a separate written agreement with the insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator, transfer all books and records to a new third-party administrator. Such new third-party administrator shall acknowledge to the insurer or other person utilizing the services of the new third-party administrator, in writing, that the new third-party administrator shall be responsible for retaining the books and records of the prior third-party administrator as required under subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section.

(P.A. 11-58, S. 23; P.A. 13-134, S. 25.)

History: P.A. 13-134 amended Subsecs. (c) and (d) to delete “private” re civil action.

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Sec. 38a-720d. Advertising. A third-party administrator shall only use advertising pertaining to the business underwritten by an insurer that has been approved, in writing, by the insurer prior to its use. A third-party administrator that mentions any customer or person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator in its advertising shall obtain such customer's or person's prior written consent.

(P.A. 11-58, S. 24.)

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Sec. 38a-720e. Responsibilities of insurer or other person utilizing a third-party administrator. (a) Each insurer or other person utilizing the services of a third-party administrator shall be responsible for determining the benefits, premium rates, underwriting criteria and claims payment procedures for the lines, classes or types of insurance such third-party administrator is authorized to administer, and for securing reinsurance, if any. The insurer or other person utilizing the services of a third-party administrator shall provide to such third-party administrator, in writing, procedures pertaining to such third-party administrator's administration of benefits, premium rates, underwriting criteria and claims payment. Each insurer or other person utilizing the services of a third-party administrator shall be responsible for the competent administration of such insurer's or other person's benefit and service programs.

(b) If a third-party administrator administers benefits for more than one hundred certificate holders on behalf of an insurer or other person utilizing the services of a third-party administrator, such insurer or other person shall, at least semiannually, conduct a review of the operations of the third-party administrator. At least one such review shall be an on-site audit of the operations of the third-party administrator.

(P.A. 11-58, S. 25.)

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Sec. 38a-720f. Collection of premiums or charges. Payment of claims. (a) All premiums or charges collected by a third-party administrator on behalf of or for an insurer or other person utilizing the services of a third-party administrator, and the return of premiums received from such insurer or other person, shall be held by the third-party administrator in a fiduciary capacity. The funds shall be immediately remitted to the person entitled to them or deposited promptly in a fiduciary account established and maintained by the third-party administrator in a federal or state chartered, federally insured financial institution. The third-party administrator shall render an accounting to the insurer or other person utilizing the services of a third-party administrator that details all transactions performed by the third-party administrator pertaining to the business underwritten by the insurer or the business of the person utilizing the services of a third-party administrator.

(b) Each third-party administrator that deposits in a fiduciary account charges or premiums collected on behalf of or for one or more insurers or other persons utilizing the services of the third-party administrator shall keep clear records of the deposits in and withdrawals from the account on behalf of each insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator. The third-party administrator shall keep copies of all the records and, upon request by the insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator, shall furnish such insurer or other person with a copy of the records of the deposits and withdrawals pertaining to such insurer or other person.

(c) A third-party administrator shall not pay any claim by making withdrawals from a fiduciary account in which premiums or charges are deposited. Withdrawals from the account shall be made as provided in the written agreement set forth in subsection (c) of section 38a-720a.

(d) All claims paid by the third-party administrator from funds collected on behalf of or for an insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator shall be paid only by drafts or checks of, and as authorized by, such insurer or other person.

(P.A. 11-58, S. 26.)

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Sec. 38a-720g. Compensation prohibitions. (a) A third-party administrator shall not enter into any written or oral agreement or understanding with an insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator that makes or has the effect of making the amount of the third-party administrator's commissions, fees, or charges contingent upon savings effected in the adjustment, settlement or payment of losses covered by the insurer's or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator's obligations. This provision shall not prohibit a third-party administrator from receiving performance-based compensation for providing hospital auditing or other auditing services.

(b) This section shall not prevent the compensation of a third-party administrator from being based on premiums or charges collected or the number of claims paid or processed.

(P.A. 11-58, S. 27.)

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Sec. 38a-720h. Disclosures. (a) When the services of a third-party administrator are utilized, such third-party administrator shall issue a benefits identification card to each insured that includes disclosure of, and relationship among, the third-party administrator, the policyholder and the insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator.

(b) When a third-party administrator collects premiums, charges or fees, the reason for collection of each item shall be identified to the insured and each item shall be shown separately. Additional charges shall not be made for services to the extent the services have been paid for by the insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator.

(c) The third-party administrator shall disclose to the insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator all charges, fees and commissions that the third-party administrator receives arising from services it provides for the insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator, including any fees or commissions paid by insurers providing reinsurance or stop loss coverage.

(P.A. 11-58, S. 28.)

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Sec. 38a-720i. Delivery of written communications to insureds. Any policies, certificates, booklets, termination notices or other written communications delivered by an insurer or other person utilizing the services of a third-party administrator to such third-party administrator for delivery to such insurer's or other person's insureds shall be delivered by the third-party administrator promptly after receipt of instructions to deliver them from an insurer or other person utilizing the services of the third-party administrator.

(P.A. 11-58, S. 29.)

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Sec. 38a-720j. Surety bond required. Audited annual financial statements in lieu of bond. Application. License renewal. (a)(1) A third-party administrator applying for licensure shall execute a surety bond in an amount determined by the commissioner to be sufficient to protect insurers and other persons utilizing the services of the third-party administrator, but not less than the penal sum of five hundred thousand dollars. A third-party administrator licensed under this section shall maintain such surety bond as a condition for renewal of such license.

(2) The commissioner may waive the requirement to execute such surety bond if the applicant submits audited annual financial statements or reports for the two most recent fiscal years that prove the applicant has a positive net worth. An audited annual financial statement or report prepared on a consolidated basis shall include a columnar consolidating or combining worksheet that shall be filed with the report and include the following: (A) Amounts shown on the consolidated audited financial report shall be shown on the worksheet, (B) amounts for each entity shall be stated separately, and (C) explanations of consolidating and eliminating entries shall be included. A third-party administrator who has submitted such statements or reports in lieu of executing a surety bond and who is renewing such administrator's license shall submit the most recent audited annual financial statement or report.

(b) A third-party administrator applying for licensure shall submit an application to the commissioner by using the uniform application and paying a fee pursuant to section 38a-11. The uniform application shall include or be accompanied by the following information and documents: (1) All basic organizational documents of the applicant, including any articles of incorporation, articles of association, partnership agreement, trade name certificate, trust agreement, shareholder agreement and other applicable documents and all amendments to such documents; (2) the bylaws, rules, regulations or similar documents regulating the internal affairs of the applicant; (3) a NAIC biographical affidavit for the individuals responsible for the conduct of affairs of the applicant, including (A) all members of the board of directors, board of trustees, executive committee or other governing board or committee, (B) the principal officers in the case of a corporation or the partners or members in the case of a partnership, association or limited liability company, (C) any shareholders or member holding directly or indirectly ten per cent or more of the voting stock, voting securities or voting interest of the applicant, and (D) any other person who exercises control or influence over the affairs of the applicant; (4) a statement describing the business plan including information on staffing levels and activities proposed in this state and nationwide. The plan shall provide details setting forth the applicant's capability for providing a sufficient number of experienced and qualified personnel in the areas of claims processing, recordkeeping and underwriting; and (5) such other pertinent information as may be required by the commissioner.

(c) A third-party administrator applying for licensure shall make available for inspection by the commissioner copies of all written agreements with insurers or other persons utilizing the services of the third-party administrator.

(d) A third-party administrator applying for licensure shall produce its accounts, records and files for examination and shall make its officers available to give information with respect to its affairs, as often as is reasonably required by the commissioner.

(e) The commissioner may refuse to issue a license if the commissioner determines that the third-party administrator or any individual responsible for the conduct of the affairs of the third-party administrator is not competent, trustworthy, financially responsible or of good personal and business reputation, or has had an insurance or a third-party administrator certificate of authority or license denied or revoked for cause by any jurisdiction, or if the commissioner determines that any of the grounds set forth in section 38a-720m exists with respect to the third-party administrator.

(f) Any license issued to a third-party administrator shall be in force until September thirtieth of each year, unless sooner revoked or suspended as provided in this section. The license may be renewed, at the discretion of the commissioner, upon payment of the fee specified in section 38a-11 and submission of the renewal filing under section 38a-720l.

(g) A third-party administrator licensed or applying for licensure under this section shall notify the commissioner immediately of any material change in its ownership, control or other fact or circumstance affecting its qualification for a license in this state.

(h) In addition to the surety bond required under subsection (a) of this section, a third-party administrator licensed or applying for a license under this section that administers or will administer governmental or church self-insured plans in this state or any other state shall execute and maintain a surety bond, for use by the commissioner and the insurance regulatory authority of any additional state in which the third-party administrator is authorized to conduct business, to cover individuals and persons who have remitted premiums, charges or fees to the third-party administrator in the course of the third-party administrator's business, in the greater of the following amounts: (1) One hundred thousand dollars; or (2) ten per cent of the aggregate total amount of self-funded coverage under governmental plans or church plans handled in this state and all additional states in which the third-party administrator is authorized to conduct business.

(P.A. 11-58, S. 30; P.A. 15-187, S. 6; P.A. 17-15, S. 83; P.A. 18-68, S. 21.)

History: P.A. 15-187 amended Subsec. (f) to delete provision re resubmission of information required in original application and add reference to renewal filing; P.A. 17-15 made a technical change in Subsec. (f); P.A. 18-68 made a technical change in Subsec. (f).

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Sec. 38a-720k. Registration of certain persons not required to be licensed as third-party administrator. A person who is not required to be licensed as a third-party administrator under subdivision (11) of section 38a-720 or section 38a-720a and who directly or indirectly underwrites, collects charges or premiums from, or adjusts or settles claims on residents of this state, only in connection with life, annuity or health coverage provided by a self-funded plan other than governmental or church plans, shall register annually with the commissioner not later than October first on a form designated by the commissioner.

(P.A. 11-58, S. 31.)

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Sec. 38a-720l. License renewal filing. (a) Each third-party administrator seeking to renew a license issued pursuant to section 38a-720j shall submit a renewal filing in the form and containing such information as the commissioner prescribes, including evidence that the surety bond required under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 38a-720j and, if applicable, subsection (h) of section 38a-720j, remain in force. The information contained in such renewal filing shall be verified by at least two officers of the third-party administrator.

(b) The renewal filing shall include the complete names and addresses of all insurers or other persons with which the third-party administrator had written agreements during the preceding fiscal year.

(P.A. 11-58, S. 32; P.A. 12-145, S. 26; P.A. 15-187, S. 5; P.A. 17-15, S. 84.)

History: P.A. 12-145 amended Subsec. (a) to replace reference to “this section” with reference to Sec. 38a-720j, effective June 15, 2012; P.A. 15-187 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to replace references to and filing deadline for annual report with references to renewal filing and deleted former Subsecs. (c) and (d) re payment of annual report filing fee and review of annual reports by commissioner; P.A. 17-15 made technical changes in Subsec. (a).

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Sec. 38a-720m. Suspension or revocation of license. (a) The commissioner shall suspend or revoke the license of a third-party administrator, or shall issue a cease and desist order if the third-party administrator does not have a license if, after notice and hearing, the commissioner finds that the third-party administrator: (1) Is in an unsound financial condition; (2) is using such methods or practices in the conduct of its business so as to render its further transaction of business in this state hazardous or injurious to insured persons or the public; or (3) has failed to pay any judgment rendered against it in this state within sixty days after the judgment has become final.

(b) The commissioner may suspend or revoke the license of a third-party administrator, or may issue a cease and desist order if the third-party administrator does not have a license if, after notice and hearing, the commissioner finds that the third-party administrator: (1) Has violated any lawful rule or order of the commissioner or any provision of the insurance laws of this state; (2) (A) has refused to be examined or to produce its accounts, records and files for examination, or (B) if any individual responsible for the conduct of the affairs of the third-party administrator, including (i) members of the board of directors, board of trustees, executive committee or other governing board or committee, (ii) the principal officers in the case of a corporation or the partners or members in the case of a partnership, association or limited liability company, (iii) any shareholder or member holding directly or indirectly ten per cent or more of the voting stock, voting securities or voting interest of the third-party administrator, and (iv) any other person who exercises control or influence over the affairs of the third-party administrator, has refused to provide information with respect to its affairs or to perform other legal obligations as to an examination, when required by the commissioner; (3) has, without just cause, refused to pay proper claims or perform services arising under its contracts or has, without just cause, caused insureds to accept less than the amount due or caused insureds to employ attorneys or bring suit against the third-party administrator to secure full payment or settlement of such claims; (4) fails at any time to meet any qualification for which issuance of a license could have been refused had the failure then existed and been known to the commissioner; (5) has any individual who is responsible for the conduct of its affairs, including (A) members of the board of directors, board of trustees, executive committee or other governing board or committee, (B) the principal officers in the case of a corporation or the partners or members in the case of a partnership, association or limited liability company, (C) any shareholder or member holding directly or indirectly ten per cent or more of its voting stock, voting securities or voting interest, and (D) any other person who exercises control or influence over its affairs, who has been convicted of or has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony, without regard to whether adjudication was withheld; (6) is under suspension or revocation in another state; or (7) has failed to file a timely annual report pursuant to section 38a-720l.

(c) (1) The commissioner may, without advance notice and before a hearing, issue an order immediately suspending the license of a third-party administrator, or may issue a cease and desist order if the third-party administrator does not have a license, if the commissioner finds that one or more of the following circumstances exist: (A) The third-party administrator is insolvent or impaired, (B) a proceeding for receivership, conservatorship, rehabilitation or other delinquency proceeding regarding the third-party administrator has been commenced in any state, or (C) the financial condition or business practices of the third-party administrator otherwise pose an imminent threat to the public health, safety or welfare of the residents of this state.

(2) At the time the commissioner issues an order pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, the commissioner shall serve notice to the third-party administrator that such third-party administrator may request a hearing not later than ten business days after the receipt of the order. If a hearing is requested, the commissioner shall schedule a hearing not later than ten business days after receipt of the request. If a hearing is not requested and the commissioner does not choose to hold one, the order shall remain in effect until modified or vacated by the commissioner.

(P.A. 11-58, S. 33.)

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Sec. 38a-720n. Regulations. The Insurance Commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of sections 38a-720 to 38a-720m, inclusive.

(P.A. 11-58, S. 34.)

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Secs. 38a-721 and 38a-722. Reserved for future use.

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CHAPTER 701a

INSURANCE PRODUCERS, AGENTS ANDTHIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATORS

Table of Contents

PART I

INSURANCE PRODUCERS AND AGENTS

PART II

THIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATORS

INSURANCE PRODUCERS, AGENTS AND
THIRD-PARTY ADMINISTRATORS