Missouri Laws 382.220 – Director, powers of — insurer liable for examination costs
1. Subject to the limitation contained in this section and in addition to all the other powers with which the director is vested by law relating to the examination of insurers, the director may examine any insurer registered under the provisions of sections 382.100 to 382.180 and its affiliates to ascertain the financial condition of the insurer including the enterprise risk to the insurer by the ultimate controlling party, by any entity or combination of entities within the insurance holding company system, or by the insurance company system on a consolidated basis.
2. The director may order any insurer registered under sections 382.100 to 382.180 to produce such records, books, or other information papers in the possession of the insurer or its affiliates as are reasonably necessary to determine compliance with this chapter.
Terms Used In Missouri Laws 382.220
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
- person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- State: when applied to any of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" includes such district and territories. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
- Testify: Answer questions in court.
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
3. To determine compliance with this chapter, the director may order any insurer registered under sections 382.100 to 382.180 to produce information not in the possession of the insurer if the insurer is able to obtain access to such information under contractual relationships, statutory obligations, or other methods. In the event the insurer is unable to obtain the information requested by the director, the insurer shall provide the director with a detailed explanation of the reason that the insurer is unable to obtain the information and the identity of the holder of such information. Whenever it appears to the director that the detailed explanation is without merit, the director shall have the power to examine the insurer to determine compliance with this section pursuant to the director’s authority under section 374.205 and this section.
4. The director may retain at the registered insurer’s expense such attorneys, actuaries, accountants and other experts not otherwise a part of the director’s staff as shall be reasonably necessary to assist in the conduct of the examination under this section. Any persons so retained shall be under the direction and control of the director and shall act in a purely advisory capacity.
5. Each registered insurer producing for examination records, books and papers pursuant to this section shall be liable for and shall pay the expense of such examination in accordance with the provisions of section 374.220.
6. In the event the insurer fails to comply with an order, the director shall have the power to examine the affiliates to obtain the information. The director shall have the power to issue subpoenas, administer oaths, and examine under oath any person for purposes of determining compliance with this section. Upon the failure or refusal of any person to obey a subpoena, the director may petition a court of competent jurisdiction, and upon proper showing, the court may enter an order compelling the witness to appear and testify or produce documentary evidence. Failure to obey the court order shall be punishable as contempt of court. Every person shall be obligated to attend as a witness at the place specified in the subpoena, when subpoenaed, anywhere within the state. He or she shall be entitled to the same fees and mileage, if claimed, as a witness in section 491.280, which fees, mileage, and actual expense, if any, necessarily incurred in securing the attendance of witnesses and their testimony, shall be itemized, charged against, and paid by the company being examined.