Section 27-4-5-2 - Prohibition of unauthorized insurance business; exceptions; business by mail; venue; validity of contract; right to defend; prerequisites to action(a) It is a Class A infraction for an insurer to transact insurance business in this state, as set forth in subsection (b), without a certificate of authority from the commissioner. However, this section does not apply to the following:(1) The lawful transaction of surplus lines insurance.(2) The lawful transaction of reinsurance by insurers.(3) Transactions in this state involving a policy lawfully solicited, written, and delivered outside of this state covering only subjects of insurance not resident, located, or expressly to be performed in this state at the time of issuance, and which transactions are subsequent to the issuance of such policy.(4) Attorneys acting in the ordinary relation of attorney and client in the adjustment of claims or losses.(5) Transactions in this state involving group life and group sickness and accident or blanket sickness and accident insurance or group annuities where the master policy of such groups was lawfully issued and delivered in and pursuant to the laws of a state in which the insurer was authorized to do an insurance business, to a group organized for purposes other than the procurement of insurance, and where the policyholder is domiciled or otherwise has a bona fide situs.(6) Transactions in this state relative to a policy issued or to be issued outside this state involving insurance on vessels, craft or hulls, cargos, marine builder's risk, marine protection and indemnity or other risk, including strikes and war risks commonly insured under ocean or wet marine forms of policy.(7) Transactions in this state involving life insurance, health insurance, or annuities provided to religious or charitable institutions organized and operated without profit to any private shareholder or individual for the benefit of such institutions and individuals engaged in the service of such institutions.(8) Transactions in this state involving contracts of insurance not readily obtainable in the ordinary insurance market and issued to one (1) or more industrial insureds. For purposes of this section, an "industrial insured" means an insured: (A) who procures the insurance of any risk or risks by use of the services of a full-time employee acting as an insurance manager or buyer or the services of a regularly retained and continuously qualified insurance consultant;(B) whose aggregate annual premium for insurance on all risks totals at least twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000);(C) who has at least twenty-five (25) full-time employees;(D) who, on or before February 1 (for the preceding six (6) month period ending December 31) and August 1 (for the preceding six (6) month period ending June 30) of each year, remits to the department an amount equal to two and one-half percent (2.5%) of all gross premiums upon all policies and contracts procured by the insured under this section, plus:(i) ten percent (10%) of the amount due for the first month after the date specified in this clause, during which the amount described in this clause is not remitted in compliance with this clause; and(ii) an additional one percent (1%) of the amount due for each additional month during which the amount due under this clause is unpaid; and(E) who files with the department, with the amount remitted under clause (D), an affidavit specifying all transactions undertaken and policies and contracts procured during the preceding calendar year, including the following:(i) The description and location of the insured property or risk and the name of the insured.(ii) The gross premiums charged for the policy or contract.(iii) The name and home office address of the insurer that issues the policy or contract and the kind of insurance affected.(iv) A statement that the insured, after diligent effort, was unable to procure from any insurer authorized to transact the particular kind of insurance business in Indiana the full amount of insurance coverage required to protect the insured.(9) Transactions in Indiana involving the rendering of any service by any ambulance service provider and all fees, costs, and membership payments charged for the service. To qualify under this subdivision, the ambulance service provider: (A) must have its ambulance service program approved by an ordinance of the legislative body of the county or city in which it operates; and(B) may not offer any membership program that includes benefits exceeding five (5) years in duration.(b) Any of the following acts in this state effected by mail or otherwise by or on behalf of an unauthorized insurer constitutes the transaction of an insurance business in this state. The venue of an act committed by mail is at the point where the matter transmitted by mail is delivered and takes effect. Unless otherwise indicated, the term "insurer" as used in this section includes all persons engaged as principals in the business of insurance and also includes interinsurance exchanges and mutual benefit societies. (1) The making of or proposing to make, as an insurer, an insurance contract.(2) The making of or proposing to make, as guarantor or surety, any contract of guaranty or suretyship as a vocation and not merely incidental to any other legitimate business or activity of the guarantor or surety.(3) The taking or receiving of any application for insurance.(4) The receiving or collection of any premium, commission, membership fees, assessments, dues, or other consideration for any insurance or any part thereof.(5) The issuance or delivery of contracts of insurance to residents of this state or to persons authorized to do business in this state.(6) Acting as an agent for or otherwise representing or aiding on behalf of another person or insurer in the solicitation, negotiation, procurement, or effectuation of insurance or renewals thereof or in the dissemination of information as to coverage or rates, or forwarding of applications, or delivery of policies or contracts, or inspection of risks, a fixing of rates or investigation or adjustment of claims or losses or in the transaction of matters subsequent to effectuation of the contract and arising out of it, or representing or assisting a person or an insurer in the transaction of insurance with respect to subjects of insurance resident, located, or to be performed in this state. This subdivision does not prohibit full-time salaried employees of a corporate insured from acting in the capacity of an insurance manager or buyer in placing insurance in behalf of the employer.(c)(1) The failure of an insurer transacting insurance business in this state to obtain a certificate of authority does not impair the validity of any act or contract of such insurer and does not prevent such insurer from defending any action at law or suit in equity in any court of this state, but no insurer transacting insurance business in this state without a certificate of authority may maintain an action in any court of this state to enforce any right, claim, or demand arising out of the transaction of such business until such insurer obtains a certificate of authority.(2) In the event of failure of any such unauthorized insurer to pay any claim or loss within the provisions of such insurance contract, any person who assisted or in any manner aided directly or indirectly in the procurement of such insurance contract is liable to the insured for the full amount of the claim or loss in the manner provided by the insurance contract.Amended by P.L. 46-2019,SEC. 1, eff. 7/1/2019.Amended by P.L. 11-2011, SEC. 25, eff. 7/1/2011.(Formerly: Acts 1969, c.194, s.2.) As amended by Acts1978 , P.L. 2, SEC.2720; P.L. 161-1988, SEC.1; P.L. 130-1994, SEC.39; P.L. 116-1994, SEC.51; P.L. 252-1995, SEC.2.