Oklahoma insurers report agents for serving legal papers

An authorized foreign or alien insurer appoints an agent to receive legal papers about its Oklahoma business. This applies to authorized foreign and alien insurers and claims arising from their business in Oklahoma. The papers cannot be a subpoena. The insurer may appoint the Insurance Commissioner, an Oklahoma resident, or a person authorized to do business in Oklahoma. The appointment cannot be revoked and remains in effect while an Oklahoma contract or related obligation remains. This act takes effect November 1, 2026.

An insurer that appoints a registered agent other than the Insurance Commissioner submits the agent’s name and address electronically to the Commissioner. This applies when an insurer appoints a registered agent other than the Insurance Commissioner. The filing must follow the Commissioner’s required form and manner and include any applicable fee. The Commissioner makes registered-agent names and addresses public. The insurer must submit changes within five business days. This act takes effect November 1, 2026.

A person who reasonably relied on an incorrect agent listing may serve the Insurance Commissioner instead, and the claim-filing time limit is paused for a defined period. This applies when the Commissioner’s list incorrectly names an insurer’s registered agent. The person must reasonably rely on the Commissioner’s list, serve otherwise valid papers on the listed agent, and use due diligence to serve the Commissioner. The Commissioner forwards a copy to the insurer as provided by law. The pause runs from when the incorrectly listed agent receives the papers until the Commissioner receives them. This act takes effect November 1, 2026.

A person serves legal papers against an insurer through the Insurance Commissioner, who forwards copies to the insurer’s designated agent. This applies to legal papers against an insurer for whom the Insurance Commissioner is agent. Papers may be served in a manner provided by law or mailed to the Commissioner with postage prepaid and return receipt requested. The plaintiff pays the Commissioner $20, which is treated as a case cost. Service on the Commissioner and forwarding copies of the petition and summons to the insurer’s designated registered agent count as service on the insurer. This act takes effect November 1, 2026.