Effective: October 9, 2021
Latest Legislation: House Bill 263, House Bill 339 - 133rd General Assembly
(A) As used in sections 3905.14 to 3905.16 of the Revised Code:
(1) "Insurance agent" includes a limited lines insurance agent, surety bail bond agent, and surplus line broker.
(2) "Refusal to issue or renew" means the decision of the superintendent of insurance not to process either the initial application for a license as an agent or the renewal of such a license.
(3) "Revocation" means the permanent termination of all authority to hold any license as an agent in this state.
(4) "Surrender for cause" means the voluntary termination of all authority to hold any license as an agent in this state, in lieu of a revocation or suspension order.
(5) "Suspension" means the termination of all authority to hold any license as an agent in this state, for either a specified period of time or an indefinite period of time and under any terms or conditions determined by the superintendent.
(B) The superintendent may, except as provided in division (C) of this section, suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew any license of an insurance agent, assess a civil penalty, or impose any other sanction or sanctions authorized under this chapter, for one or more of the following reasons:
(1) Providing incorrect, misleading, incomplete, or materially untrue information in a license or appointment application;
(2) Violating or failing to comply with any insurance law, rule, subpoena, consent agreement, or order of the superintendent or of the insurance authority of another state;
(3) Obtaining, maintaining, or attempting to obtain or maintain a license through misrepresentation or fraud;
(4) Improperly withholding, misappropriating, or converting any money or property received in the course of doing insurance business;
(5) Intentionally misrepresenting the terms, benefits, value, cost, or effective dates of any actual or proposed insurance contract or application for insurance;
(6) Having been convicted of or pleaded guilty or no contest to a felony regardless of whether a judgment of conviction has been entered by the court;
(7) Having been convicted of or pleaded guilty or no contest to a misdemeanor that involves the misuse or theft of money or property belonging to another, fraud, forgery, dishonest acts, or breach of a fiduciary duty, that is based on any act or omission relating to the business of insurance, securities, or financial services, or that involves moral turpitude regardless of whether a judgment has been entered by the court;
(8) Having admitted to committing, or having been found to have committed, any insurance unfair trade act or practice or insurance fraud;
(9) Using fraudulent, coercive, or dishonest practices, or demonstrating incompetence, untrustworthiness, or financial irresponsibility, in the conduct of business in this state or elsewhere;
(10) Having an insurance agent license, or its equivalent, denied, suspended, or revoked in any other state, province, district, or territory;
(11) Forging or causing the forgery of an application for insurance or any document related to or used in an insurance transaction;
(12) Improperly using notes, any other reference material, equipment, or devices of any kind to complete an examination for an insurance agent license;
(13) Knowingly accepting insurance business from an individual who is not licensed;
(14) Failing to comply with any official invoice, notice, assessment, or order directing payment of federal, state, or local income tax, state or local sales tax, or workers' compensation premiums;
(15) Failing to timely submit an application for insurance. For purposes of division (B)(15) of this section, a submission is considered timely if it occurs within the time period expressly provided for by the insurer, or within seven days after the insurance agent accepts a premium or an order to bind coverage from a policyholder or applicant for insurance, whichever is later.
(16) Failing to disclose to an applicant for insurance or policyholder upon accepting a premium or an order to bind coverage from the applicant or policyholder, that the person has not been appointed by the insurer;
(17) Having any professional license or financial industry regulatory authority registration suspended or revoked or having been barred from participation in any industry;
(18) Having been subject to a cease and desist order or permanent injunction related to mishandling of funds or breach of fiduciary responsibilities or for unlicensed or unregistered activities;
(19) Causing or permitting a policyholder or applicant for insurance to designate the insurance agent or the insurance agent's spouse, parent, child, or sibling as the beneficiary of a policy or annuity sold by the insurance agent or of a policy or annuity for which the agent, at any time, was designated as the agent of record, unless the insurance agent or a relative of the insurance agent is the insured or applicant;
(20) Causing or permitting a policyholder or applicant for insurance to designate the insurance agent or the insurance agent's spouse, parent, child, or sibling as the owner or beneficiary of a trust funded, in whole or in part, by a policy or annuity sold by the insurance agent or by a policy or annuity for which the agent, at any time, was designated as the agent of record, unless the insurance agent or a relative of the insurance agent is the insured or applicant;
(21) Failing to provide a written response to the department of insurance within twenty-one calendar days after receipt of any written inquiry from the department, unless a reasonable extension of time has been requested of, and granted by, the superintendent or the superintendent's designee;
(22) Failing to appear to answer questions before the superintendent after being notified in writing by the superintendent of a scheduled interview, unless a reasonable extension of time has been requested of, and granted by, the superintendent or the superintendent's designee;
(23) Transferring or placing insurance with an insurer other than the insurer expressly chosen by the applicant for insurance or policyholder without the consent of the applicant or policyholder or absent extenuating circumstances;
(24) Failing to inform a policyholder or applicant for insurance of the identity of the insurer or insurers, or the identity of any other insurance agent or licensee known to be involved in procuring, placing, or continuing the insurance for the policyholder or applicant, upon the binding of the coverage;
(25) In the case of an agent that is a business entity, failing to report an individual licensee's violation to the department when the violation was known or should have been known by one or more of the partners, officers, managers, or members of the business entity;
(26) Submitting or using a document in the conduct of the business of insurance when the person knew or should have known that the document contained a writing that was forged as defined in section 2913.01 of the Revised Code;
(27) Misrepresenting the person's qualifications, status or relationship to another person, agency, or entity, or using in any way a professional designation that has not been conferred upon the person by the appropriate accrediting organization;
(28) Obtaining a premium loan or policy surrender or causing a premium loan or policy surrender to be made to or in the name of an insured or policyholder without that person's knowledge and written authorization;
(29) Using paper, software, or any other materials of or provided by an insurer after the insurer has terminated the authority of the licensee, if the use of such materials would cause a reasonable person to believe that the licensee was acting on behalf of or otherwise representing the insurer;
(30) Soliciting, procuring an application for, or placing, either directly or indirectly, any insurance policy when the person is not authorized under this chapter to engage in such activity;
(31) Soliciting, selling, or negotiating any product or service that offers benefits similar to insurance but is not regulated by the superintendent, without fully disclosing, orally and in writing, to the prospective purchaser that the product or service is not insurance and is not regulated by the superintendent;
(32) Failing to fulfill a refund obligation to a policyholder or applicant in a timely manner. For purposes of division (B)(32) of this section, a rebuttable presumption exists that a refund obligation is not fulfilled in a timely manner unless it is fulfilled within one of the following time periods:
(a) Thirty days after the date the policyholder, applicant, or insurer takes or requests action resulting in a refund;
(b) Thirty days after the date of the insurer's refund check, if the agent is expected to issue a portion of the total refund;
(c) Forty-five days after the date of the agent's statement of account on which the refund first appears.
The presumption may be rebutted by proof that the policyholder or applicant consented to the delay or agreed to permit the agent to apply the refund to amounts due for other coverages.
(33) With respect to a surety bail bond agent license, rebating or offering to rebate, or unlawfully dividing or offering to divide, any commission, premium, or fee;
(34) Using a license for the principal purpose of procuring, receiving, or forwarding applications for insurance of any kind, other than life, or soliciting, placing, or effecting such insurance directly or indirectly upon or in connection with the property of the licensee or that of relatives, employers, employees, or that for which they or the licensee is an agent, custodian, vendor, bailee, trustee, or payee;
(35) In the case of an insurance agent that is a business entity, using a life license for the principal purpose of soliciting or placing insurance on the lives of the business entity's officers, employees, or shareholders, or on the lives of relatives of such officers, employees, or shareholders, or on the lives of persons for whom they, their relatives, or the business entity is agent, custodian, vendor, bailee, trustee, or payee;
(36) Offering, selling, soliciting, or negotiating policies, contracts, agreements, or applications for insurance, or annuities providing fixed, variable, or fixed and variable benefits, or contractual payments, for or on behalf of any insurer or multiple employer welfare arrangement not authorized to transact business in this state, or for or on behalf of any spurious, fictitious, nonexistent, dissolved, inactive, liquidated or liquidating, or bankrupt insurer or multiple employer welfare arrangement;
(37) In the case of a resident business entity, failing to be qualified to do business in this state under Title XVII of the Revised Code, failing to be in good standing with the secretary of state, or failing to maintain a valid appointment of statutory agent with the secretary of state;
(38) In the case of a nonresident agent, failing to maintain licensure as an insurance agent in the agent's home state for the lines of authority held in this state;
(39) Knowingly aiding and abetting another person or entity in the violation of any insurance law of this state or the rules adopted under it.
(C) The superintendent shall not refuse to issue a license to an applicant because of a conviction of or plea of guilty or no contest to an offense unless the refusal is in accordance with section 9.79 of the Revised Code.
(D) Before denying, revoking, suspending, or refusing to issue any license or imposing any penalty under this section, the superintendent shall provide the licensee or applicant with notice and an opportunity for hearing as provided in Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, except as follows:
(1)(a) Any notice of opportunity for hearing, the hearing officer's findings and recommendations, or the superintendent's order shall be served by certified mail at the last known address of the licensee or applicant. Service shall be evidenced by return receipt signed by any person.
For purposes of this section, the "last known address" is the residential address of a licensee or applicant, or the principal-place-of-business address of a business entity, that is contained in the licensing records of the department.
(b) If the certified mail envelope is returned with an endorsement showing that service was refused, or that the envelope was unclaimed, the notice and all subsequent notices required by Chapter 119. of the Revised Code may be served by ordinary mail to the last known address of the licensee or applicant. The mailing shall be evidenced by a certificate of mailing. Service is deemed complete as of the date of such certificate provided that the ordinary mail envelope is not returned by the postal authorities with an endorsement showing failure of delivery. The time period in which to request a hearing, as provided in Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, begins to run on the date of mailing.
(c) If service by ordinary mail fails, the superintendent may cause a summary of the substantive provisions of the notice to be published once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the last known place of residence or business of the party is located. The notice is considered served on the date of the third publication.
(d) Any notice required to be served under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code shall also be served upon the party's attorney by ordinary mail if the attorney has entered an appearance in the matter.
(e) The superintendent may, at any time, perfect service on a party by personal delivery of the notice by an employee of the department.
(f) Notices regarding the scheduling of hearings and all other matters not described in division (D)(1)(a) of this section shall be sent by ordinary mail to the party and to the party's attorney.
(2) Any subpoena for the appearance of a witness or the production of documents or other evidence at a hearing, or for the purpose of taking testimony for use at a hearing, shall be served by certified mail, return receipt requested, by an attorney or by an employee of the department designated by the superintendent. Such subpoenas shall be enforced in the manner provided in section 119.09 of the Revised Code. Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the superintendent's other statutory powers to issue subpoenas.
(E) If the superintendent determines that a violation described in this section has occurred, the superintendent may take one or more of the following actions:
(1) Assess a civil penalty in an amount not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars per violation;
(2) Assess administrative costs to cover the expenses incurred by the department in the administrative action, including costs incurred in the investigation and hearing processes. Any costs collected shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the department of insurance operating fund created in section 3901.021 of the Revised Code.
(3) Suspend all of the person's licenses for all lines of insurance for either a specified period of time or an indefinite period of time and under such terms and conditions as the superintendent may determine;
(4) Permanently revoke all of the person's licenses for all lines of insurance;
(5) Refuse to issue a license;
(6) Refuse to renew a license;
(7) Prohibit the person from being employed in any capacity in the business of insurance and from having any financial interest in any insurance agency, company, surety bail bond business, or third-party administrator in this state. The superintendent may, in the superintendent's discretion, determine the nature, conditions, and duration of such restrictions.
(8) Order corrective actions in lieu of or in addition to the other penalties listed in division (E) of this section. Such an order may provide for the suspension of civil penalties, license revocation, license suspension, or refusal to issue or renew a license if the licensee complies with the terms and conditions of the corrective action order.
(9) Accept a surrender for cause offered by the licensee, which shall be for at least five years and shall prohibit the licensee from seeking any license authorized under this chapter during that time period. A surrender for cause shall be in lieu of revocation or suspension and may include a corrective action order as provided in division (E)(8) of this section.
(F) The superintendent may consider the following factors in denying a license, imposing suspensions, revocations, fines, or other penalties, and issuing orders under this section:
(1) Whether the person acted in good faith;
(2) Whether the person made restitution for any pecuniary losses suffered by other persons as a result of the person's actions;
(3) The actual harm or potential for harm to others;
(4) The degree of trust placed in the person by, and the vulnerability of, persons who were or could have been adversely affected by the person's actions;
(5) Whether the person was the subject of any previous administrative actions by the superintendent;
(6) The number of individuals adversely affected by the person's acts or omissions;
(7) Whether the person voluntarily reported the violation, and the extent of the person's cooperation and acceptance of responsibility;
(8) Whether the person obstructed or impeded, or attempted to obstruct or impede, the superintendent's investigation;
(9) The person's efforts to conceal the misconduct;
(10) Remedial efforts to prevent future violations;
(11) If the person was convicted of a criminal offense, the nature of the offense, whether the conviction was based on acts or omissions taken under any professional license, whether the offense involved the breach of a fiduciary duty, the amount of time that has passed, and the person's activities subsequent to the conviction;
(12) Such other factors as the superintendent determines to be appropriate under the circumstances.
(G)(1) A violation described in division (B)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (16), (17), (18), (19), (20), (22), (23), (24), (25), (26), (27), (28), (29), (30), (31), (32), (33), (34), (35), or (36) of this section is a class A offense for which the superintendent may impose any penalty set forth in division (E) of this section.
(2) A violation described in division (B)(15) or (21) of this section, or a failure to comply with section 3905.061, 3905.071, or 3905.22 of the Revised Code, is a class B offense for which the superintendent may impose any penalty set forth in division (E)(1), (2), (8), or (9) of this section.
(3) If the superintendent determines that a violation described in division (B)(36) of this section has occurred, the superintendent shall impose a minimum of a two-year suspension on all of the person's licenses for all lines of insurance.
(H) If a violation described in this section has caused, is causing, or is about to cause substantial and material harm, the superintendent may issue an order requiring that person to cease and desist from engaging in the violation. Notice of the order shall be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, or served in any other manner provided for in this section, immediately after its issuance to the person subject to the order and to all persons known to be involved in the violation. The superintendent may thereafter publicize or otherwise make known to all interested parties that the order has been issued.
The notice shall specify the particular act, omission, practice, or transaction that is subject to the cease-and-desist order and shall set a date, not more than fifteen days after the date of the order, for a hearing on the continuation or revocation of the order. The person shall comply with the order immediately upon receipt of notice of the order.
The superintendent may, upon the application of a party and for good cause shown, continue the hearing. Chapter 119. of the Revised Code applies to such hearings to the extent that that chapter does not conflict with the procedures set forth in this section. The superintendent shall, within fifteen days after objections are submitted to the hearing officer's report and recommendation, issue a final order either confirming or revoking the cease-and-desist order. The final order may be appealed as provided under section 119.12 of the Revised Code.
The remedy under this division is cumulative and concurrent with the other remedies available under this section.
(I) If the superintendent has reasonable cause to believe that an order issued under this section has been violated in whole or in part, the superintendent may request the attorney general to commence and prosecute any appropriate action or proceeding in the name of the state against such person.
The court may, in an action brought pursuant to this division, impose any of the following:
(1) For each violation, a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars;
(2) Injunctive relief;
(3) Restitution;
(4) Any other appropriate relief.
(J) With respect to a surety bail bond agent license:
(1) Upon the suspension or revocation of a license, or the eligibility of a surety bail bond agent to hold a license, the superintendent likewise may suspend or revoke the license or eligibility of any surety bail bond agent who is employed by or associated with that agent and who knowingly was a party to the act that resulted in the suspension or revocation.
(2) The superintendent may revoke a license as a surety bail bond agent if the licensee is adjudged bankrupt.
(K) Nothing in this section shall be construed to create or imply a private cause of action against an agent or insurer.
The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.
Last updated October 9, 2021 at 4:51 AM
Structure Ohio Revised Code
Chapter 3905 | Insurance Producers Licensing Act
Section 3905.01 | Insurance Producers Licensing Act Definitions.
Section 3905.02 | License Required.
Section 3905.03 | Exceptions to Licensing Requirement.
Section 3905.04 | Written Examination of Applicant for Agent License.
Section 3905.041 | Exceptions to Program of Insurance Education or Examination Requirement.
Section 3905.05 | Application for Resident Insurance Agent License.
Section 3905.051 | Criminal Records Check; Fingerprinting; Confidentiality.
Section 3905.06 | Issuance and Contents of License - Lines of Authority.
Section 3905.061 | Agent to File of Change of Address.
Section 3905.062 | Portable Electronics Insurance.
Section 3905.063 | Self-Service Storage Insurance; License Required.
Section 3905.064 | Travel Insurance Definitions.
Section 3905.065 | Travel Insurance Agent License; Travel Protection Plans; Policy Requirements.
Section 3905.066 | Travel Retailers.
Section 3905.067 | Unfair and Deceptive Acts or Practices.
Section 3905.068 | Tax on Travel Insurance Premiums.
Section 3905.069 | Travel Administrators.
Section 3905.0610 | Classification of Travel Insurance; Eligibility and Underwriting Standards.
Section 3905.07 | Nonresident Insurance Agent or Surplus Lines Broker License; Renewal.
Section 3905.071 | Nonresident to File Change of Address.
Section 3905.072 | Nonresident Limited Lines Insurance Agent License.
Section 3905.08 | Reciprocity.
Section 3905.09 | Temporary Insurance Agent License.
Section 3905.11 | Agent's Use of Assumed Name.
Section 3905.14 | Disciplinary Actions.
Section 3905.15 | Hearing to Determine Administrative Action Modification.
Section 3905.16 | Surrender of License.
Section 3905.18 | Paying Unlawful Consideration.
Section 3905.181 | Accepting Consideration Without License.
Section 3905.182 | Sale of Shares of Capital Stock of Life Insurance Company or Agency.
Section 3905.20 | Appointment of Insurance Agent to Act as Agent of Insurer.
Section 3905.201 | Limited Line Credit Insurance Program of Instruction.
Section 3905.21 | Notice of Terminating Relationship With Insurance Agent.
Section 3905.24 | Confidentiality of Records and Information - Exceptions.
Section 3905.26 | Centralized Agent License Registry.
Section 3905.29 | Mutual Protective Associations Exempted.
Section 3905.30 | Resident and Nonresident Surplus Lines Broker's License.
Section 3905.31 | Prohibitions.
Section 3905.32 | License Fees.
Section 3905.331 | Exempt Commercial Purchasers; Qualifications; Qualified Risk Managers.
Section 3905.332 | Designation as Domestic Surplus Lines Insurer.
Section 3905.34 | Separate Accounts.
Section 3905.37 | Prohibited Acts.
Section 3905.39 | Continuation of Certificates and Licenses.
Section 3905.40 | Fees Paid to Superintendent of Insurance.
Section 3905.401 | Valuation Fee Not Applicable to Reinsurance Ceded to Affiliated Companies.
Section 3905.41 | Accounts for Fees.
Section 3905.42 | Insurance Business Must Be Authorized.
Section 3905.421 | Vehicle Protection Product Warranty.
Section 3905.422 | Homes Service Contract Are Consumer Transactions.
Section 3905.423 | Consumer Goods Contracts to Be Covered by Reimbursement Insurance.
Section 3905.424 | Waiver of Customer Obligation Not Insurance Matter.
Section 3905.426 | Requirements for Ancillary Product Protection Contracts.
Section 3905.43 | Advertising Limitations.
Section 3905.44 | Limitation Upon Domestic Companies.
Section 3905.45 | Payment of Funeral or Burial Expenses Policy.
Section 3905.451 | Funeral or Burial Goods or Services Coverage Not Subject to Preneed Provisions.
Section 3905.46 | Application of Law.
Section 3905.47 | Agent Training Programs.
Section 3905.471 | Insurance Navigator Certification.
Section 3905.472 | Qualified Health Benefit Plans.
Section 3905.473 | Exchange Listings.
Section 3905.474 | Qualifications for In-Person Assisters.
Section 3905.481 | Continuing Education Requirements.
Section 3905.484 | Establishing Criteria for Course or Program of Study for License Examination.
Section 3905.486 | Adoption of Rules.
Section 3905.49 | Prohibiting False Representation as Independent Agent.
Section 3905.50 | Terminating Independent Insurance Agent Contract.
Section 3905.53 | Effect of Child Support Default on License.
Section 3905.56 | Compensation by Public Entity for Placement of Insurance.
Section 3905.61 | Controlled Insurers Definitions.
Section 3905.62 | Application of Sections.
Section 3905.63 | Limits on Business Placed With Controlled Insurer by Controlling Producer.
Section 3905.64 | Notice to Prospective Insured by Controlling Producer.
Section 3905.65 | Remedies for Noncompliance.
Section 3905.71 | Managing General Agent Definitions.
Section 3905.72 | Managing General Agent License Requirement.
Section 3905.73 | Responsibilities of Managing General Agent.
Section 3905.74 | Independent Financial Examination of Each Managing General Agent.
Section 3905.75 | Acts of Agent Deemed Acts of Insurer - Examinations.
Section 3905.76 | Prohibition.
Section 3905.77 | Penalties for Violations.
Section 3905.78 | Rights Not Limited or Restricted.
Section 3905.81 | Reinsurance Intermediary-Broker or Intermediary-Manager License Required - Rules.
Section 3905.83 | Surety Bail Bond Agent Definitions.
Section 3905.84 | Surety Bail Bond Agent to Be Qualified, Licensed, and Appointed.
Section 3905.841 | Persons or Classes of Persons Not to Act as Agents.
Section 3905.85 | Surety Bail Bond Agent License.
Section 3905.851 | No Imposition of Local Licensing Fees.
Section 3905.86 | Appointment of Agent by Insurer.
Section 3905.861 | Extending Appointments to Affiliated Agents.
Section 3905.862 | Expiration or Cancellation of Appointment; Fee.
Section 3905.88 | Continuing Education.
Section 3905.89 | Notice of Change of Principal Business Address or Telephone Number.
Section 3905.90 | Records of Surety Bonds to Be Maintained - Furnishing of Information.
Section 3905.901 | Determination of Direct Written Premiums for Bail Bonds.
Section 3905.91 | Build-Up Funds.
Section 3905.92 | Requirements for Acceptance of Collateral Security or Other Indemnity.
Section 3905.921 | Discharge of Bond Where Collateral Security or Other Indemnity Accepted.
Section 3905.93 | Bail Bond - Charges and Fees.
Section 3905.931 | Furnishing of Forms and Other Supplies.
Section 3905.932 | Prohibited Acts.
Section 3905.933 | Signing or Countersigning Agent's Name to a Bond.
Section 3905.934 | Advertising Requirements.
Section 3905.94 | License Suspension or Revocation.