§36-19-43. Insurer or agents not liable for compliance with division; confidentiality; testimony; violations.

(a) In the absence of fraud or malice, no insurer, or person who furnishes information on its behalf, shall be liable for damages in a civil action or subject to criminal prosecution for any oral or written statement made or any other action taken that is necessary to supply information required by this article.

(b) The officials and departmental and agency personnel receiving any information furnished pursuant to this article shall hold the information in confidence until such time as its release is required pursuant to a criminal or civil proceeding.

(c) Any official referred to in Section 36-19-41 may be required to testify as to any information in his possession regarding the fire loss of real or personal property in any civil action in which any person seeks recovery under a policy against an insurance company for the fire loss.

(d) No person shall purposely refuse to release any information requested, pursuant to Section 36-19-41, by a Fire Marshal, an assistant fire marshal, the chief or deputy of an arson squad or bureau, the chief of a fire department or a fire prevention officer.

(e) No person shall refuse to make the necessary notification of a fire loss pursuant to Section 36-19-42.

(f) No person shall refuse to supply to the proper authorities pertinent information required to be furnished pursuant to Section 36-19-42.

(g) No person shall fail to hold in confidence information required to be held in confidence by subsection (b) of this section.

(Acts 1979, No. 79-706, p. 1257, §4.)