Washington § 48.13.111 - Commissioner's powers — Requirements of persons subject to regulation.

(1) The commissioner may require any of the following from a person subject to regulation under this chapter:

(a) Statements, reports, answers to questionnaires, and other information, and evidence thereof, in whatever reasonable form the commissioner designates, and at such reasonable intervals as the commissioner chooses;

(b) Full explanation of the programming of any data storage or communication system in use;

(c) That information from any books, records, electronic data processing systems, computers, or any other information storage system be made available to the commissioner at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner.

(2) The commissioner may prescribe forms for the reports under subsection (1) of this section and specify who shall execute or certify the reports. The forms for the reports required under subsection (1) of this section shall be consistent, so far as practicable, with those prescribed by other jurisdictions.

(3) The commissioner may prescribe reasonable minimum standards and techniques of accounting and data handling to ensure that timely and reliable information will exist and will be available to the commissioner.

(4) Any officer, manager or general agent of an insurer subject to this chapter, any person controlling or having a contract under which the person has a right to control the insurer, whether exclusively or otherwise, or a person with executive authority over or in charge of any segment of the insurer's affairs, shall reply promptly in writing or in other reasonably designated form, to a written inquiry from the commissioner requesting a reply. A timely response is one that is received by the commissioner within fifteen business days from receipt of the inquiry. Failure to make a timely response constitutes a violation of this section.

(5) The commissioner may require that any communication made to the commissioner under this section be verified.

(6) A communication to the commissioner, or to an expert or consultant retained by the commissioner, required by the provisions of this chapter shall not subject the person making it to an action for damages for the communication in the absence of actual malice.

(7) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (6) of this section, the commissioner may bring suit against any person providing information required under this chapter that is not truthful and accurate.