Section 3901.17. Personal jurisdiction over foreign or alien insurer

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Captive insurer" has the same meaning as in section 3905.36 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Insurer" includes, but is not limited to, any person that is an affiliate of or affiliated with the insurer, as defined in section 3901.32 of the Revised Code, and any person that is a subsidiary of the insurer as defined in section 3901.32 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Laws of this state relating to insurance" has the same meaning as in section 3901.04 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Person" has the same meaning as in section 3901.19 of the Revised Code.

(5) "Home state" has the same meaning as in section 3905.30 of the Revised Code.

(B) Any of the following acts in this state, effected by mail or otherwise, by any foreign or alien insurer not authorized to transact business within this state, any nonresident person acting on behalf of an insurer, or any nonresident insurance agent subjects the insurer, person, or agent to the exercise of personal jurisdiction over the insurer, person, or agent to the extent permitted by the constitutions of this state and of the United States:

(1) Issuing or delivering contracts of insurance to residents of this state or to corporations authorized to do business therein;

(2) Making or proposing to make any insurance contracts;

(3) Soliciting, taking, or receiving any application for insurance;

(4) Receiving or collecting any premium, commission, membership fee, assessment, dues, or other consideration for any insurance contract or any part thereof;

(5) Disseminating information as to coverage or rates, forwarding applications, inspecting risks, fixing rates, investigating or adjusting claims or losses, or transacting any matters subsequent to effecting a contract of insurance and arising out of it;

(6) Doing any kind of business recognized as constituting the doing of an insurance business under Title XXXIX of the Revised Code or subject to regulation by the superintendent of insurance under the laws of this state relating to insurance.

Any such act shall be considered to be the doing of an insurance business in this state by such insurer, person, or agent and shall be its agreement that service of any lawful subpoena, notice, order, or process is of the same legal force and validity as personal service of the subpoena, notice, order, or process in this state upon the insurer, person, or agent.

(C) Service of process in judicial proceedings shall be as provided by the Rules of Civil Procedure. Service in or out of this state of notice, orders, or subpoenas in administrative proceedings before the superintendent shall be as provided in section 3901.04 of the Revised Code.

(D) Service of any notice, order, subpoena, or process in any such action, suit, or proceeding shall, in addition to the manner provided in division (C) of this section, be valid if served upon any person within this state who, in this state on behalf of such insurer, person, or agent is or has been:

(1) Soliciting, procuring, effecting, or negotiating for insurance;

(2) Making, issuing, or delivering any contract of insurance;

(3) Collecting or receiving any premium, membership fees, assessment, dues, or other consideration for insurance;

(4) Disseminating information as to coverage or rates, forwarding applications, inspecting risks, fixing rates, investigating or adjusting claims or losses, or transacting any matters subsequent to effecting a contract of insurance and arising out of it.

(E) Nothing in this section shall limit or abridge the right to serve any subpoena, order, process, notice, or demand upon any insurer, person, or agent in any other manner permitted by law.

(F) Every person investigating or adjusting any loss or claim under a policy of insurance not excepted under division (I) of this section and issued by any such insurer and covering a subject of insurance that was resident, located, or to be performed in this state at the time of issuance shall immediately report the policy to the superintendent.

(G) If this state is the home state of the insured, each such insurer that does any of the acts set forth in division (B) of this section shall be subject to the requirements of section 3905.36 of the Revised Code.

(H) No contract of insurance effected in this state by mail or otherwise by any such insurer is enforceable by the insurer.

(I) This section does not apply to:

(1) Insurance obtained pursuant to sections 3905.30 to 3905.36 of the Revised Code;

(2) The transaction of reinsurance by insurers;

(3) Transactions in this state involving a policy of group life or group accident and sickness insurance solicited, written, and delivered outside this state;

(4) Transactions involving contracts of insurance independently procured through negotiations occurring entirely outside this state which are reported and the tax is paid in accordance with section 3905.36 of the Revised Code;

(5) An attorney at law acting on behalf of the attorney's clients in the adjustment of claims or losses;

(6) Ocean marine insurance;

(7) Transactions involving policies issued by a captive insurer.

Amended by 130th General Assembly File No. TBD, SB 140, §1, eff. 9/4/2014.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.5, HB 122, §1, eff. 6/17/2011.

Effective Date: 06-30-1997; 06-30-2005