South Carolina Code of Laws
Chapter 13 - Examinations, Investigations, Records, And Reports
Section 38-13-1050. Confidentiality of information submitted to director; prohibition against testifying in private civil actions; performance of director's regulatory duties.

(A) Documents, materials, or other information including the CGAD in the possession or control of the Department of Insurance that are obtained by, created by, or disclosed to the director or any other person under this article, are recognized by this State as being proprietary and containing trade secrets. All such documents, materials, or other information are confidential by law and privileged, are not subject to disclosure under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, Section 30-4-10, et seq. and are not subject to subpoena, to discovery or admissible into evidence in a private civil action. However, the director is authorized to use the documents, materials, or other information in furtherance of regulatory or legal action brought as a part of the director's official duties. The director shall not otherwise make the documents, materials, or other information public without the prior written consent of the insurer. Nothing in this section may be construed to require written consent of the insurer before the director may share or receive confidential documents, materials, or other CGAD-related information to assist in the performance of the director's duties.
(B) Neither the director nor any person who received documents, materials, or other CGAD-related information, through examination or otherwise, while acting under the authority of the director, or with whom such documents, materials, or other information are shared may be permitted or required to testify in a private civil action covering any confidential documents, materials, or information submitted pursuant to this article.
(C) In order to assist in the performance of the director's regulatory duties the director may:
(1) upon request, share documents, materials, or other CGAD-related information including the confidential and privileged documents, materials, or information, including proprietary and trade secret documents and materials with other state, federal, and international financial regulatory agencies including members of any supervisory college as defined in Section 38-21-285 with the NAIC and with third-party consultants pursuant to Section 38-13-1060, provided that the recipient agrees in writing to maintain the confidentiality and privileged status of the CGAD-related documents, material, or other information and has certified in writing the legal authority to maintain confidentiality; and
(2) receive documents, materials, or other CGAD-related information, including otherwise confidential and privileged documents, materials, or information, including proprietary and trade secret information or documents, from regulatory officials of other state, federal, and international financial regulatory agencies, including members of any supervisory college as defined in Section 38-21-285 and from the NAIC, and shall maintain as confidential or privileged any documents, materials, or information received with notice of the understanding that it is confidential or privileged under the laws of the jurisdiction that is the source of the documents, materials, or information.
(D) The sharing of information and documents by the director pursuant to the provisions of this article do not constitute a delegation of regulatory authority or rulemaking and the director is solely responsible for the administration, execution, and enforcement of the provisions of this article.
(E) No waiver of any applicable privilege or claim of confidentiality in the documents, proprietary and trade secret materials, or other CGAD-related information may occur as a result of disclosure of the CGAD-related information or documents to the director under this section or as a result of sharing as authorized pursuant to this section.
HISTORY: 2019 Act No. 3 (S.75), Section 1, eff March 20, 2019.

Structure South Carolina Code of Laws

South Carolina Code of Laws

Title 38 - Insurance

Chapter 13 - Examinations, Investigations, Records, And Reports

Section 38-13-10. Examination of insurers; examination of person or business; acceptance of examination report of insurer prepared by insurance department of another state.

Section 38-13-20. Examination warrant; conduct of examination; access to books, records, accounts, etc.; refusal to submit to examination; subpoenas, examination under oath; failure to obey subpoena; retaining professionals and specialists as examine...

Section 38-13-30. Examination report; copy of report to insurer examined; written rebuttals by insurer; review by, and order of, director; hearings; confidentiality of report work papers, recorded information and documents.

Section 38-13-40. Examiners not to be appointed if conflict of interest exists; exceptions.

Section 38-13-50. Insurer to pay cost of examination; civil action to recover costs.

Section 38-13-60. Immunity from liability; recovery of attorney fees and costs if prevailing party.

Section 38-13-70. Investigation of charges; liability for expenses.

Section 38-13-80. Annual statement as to business standing and financial condition.

Section 38-13-85. Annual statement to be filed with National Association of Insurance Commissioners; immunity from liability for disseminating information; confidentiality of information.

Section 38-13-90. Publication of assets and liabilities.

Section 38-13-100. Items to be included as liabilities in financial statements.

Section 38-13-110. Treatment of contingent debts or liabilities in financial statements.

Section 38-13-120. Record of business done; inspection by Director or designee.

Section 38-13-130. Records of losses and claims.

Section 38-13-140. Refusal to exhibit records; false statements; confidentiality of replies.

Section 38-13-150. Returns of reinsurance by insurers; effect of refusal.

Section 38-13-160. Director or designee may require special reports; confidentiality of replies.

Section 38-13-170. Penalties for making or aiding in making false statement.

Section 38-13-180. Insurance reserve fund defined.

Section 38-13-190. Commissioner to examine affairs and methods of operations of insurance reserve fund; reports of findings.

Section 38-13-200. Penalty for refusal to be examined under oath.

Section 38-13-300. Regulations requiring insurer to report its loss and expense experience and other data.

Section 38-13-310. Supplemental report.

Section 38-13-320. Data in supplemental report.

Section 38-13-340. Review of supplemental reports.

Section 38-13-350. Filing of required information.

Section 38-13-360. Penalty for failure to comply with provisions of article.

Section 38-13-400. Report disclosing material acquisitions and dispositions of assets or material nonrenewals, cancellations or revisions; when due; confidentiality.

Section 38-13-410. Exceptions to reporting requirements; material acquisitions or dispositions defined; information to be disclosed; report to be on nonconsolidated basis; exceptions.

Section 38-13-420. Exceptions to reporting requirements; material nonrenewals, cancellations, or revisions of ceded reinsurance agreements defined; information to be disclosed; report to be on nonconsolidated basis; exceptions.

Section 38-13-700. Periodic examination of unemployment compensation fund; duties of director.

Section 38-13-710. Who may request examination; contents of request.

Section 38-13-720. Free access to books, records, and other materials relating to examination; powers of director.

Section 38-13-730. Verification of data provided by department; sample data testing.

Section 38-13-740. Examination reports; contents; submission to General Assembly; availability on Internet websites.

Section 38-13-750. Conflict of interest prohibited.

Section 38-13-760. Department to pay charges.

Section 38-13-770. Inquiries regarding administration of unemployment compensation fund; prompt written reply.

Section 38-13-810. Purpose; application; findings.

Section 38-13-820. Definitions.

Section 38-13-830. Risk management framework.

Section 38-13-840. Insurers required to conduct ORSA on no less than an annual basis.

Section 38-13-850. ORSA Summary Reports.

Section 38-13-860. Exemptions.

Section 38-13-870. Preparation of ORSA Summary Report; review; requests for information.

Section 38-13-880. Confidentiality.

Section 38-13-890. Penalties.

Section 38-13-900. Effective date.

Section 38-13-1000. Purpose; construction; application.

Section 38-13-1010. Definitions.

Section 38-13-1020. Submission of Corporate Governance Annual Disclosure.

Section 38-13-1030. Rules, regulations, and orders.

Section 38-13-1040. Discretion over responses to inquiries; examination of documentation and supporting information.

Section 38-13-1050. Confidentiality of information submitted to director; prohibition against testifying in private civil actions; performance of director's regulatory duties.

Section 38-13-1060. Retention of third-party consultants.

Section 38-13-1070. Penalties.

Section 38-13-1080. Effective date of this article.