Pending actions; protection of insurer after rehabilitation order

Sec. 4. (a) Any court in Indiana before which any action or proceeding in which the insurer is a party or is obligated to defend a party is pending when a rehabilitation order against the insurer is entered shall stay the action or proceeding for ninety (90) days and for any additional time as is necessary for the rehabilitator to obtain proper representation and prepare for further proceedings. The rehabilitator shall take action respecting the pending litigation as he considers necessary in the interests of justice and for the protection of creditors, policyholders, and the public. The rehabilitator shall immediately consider all litigation pending outside Indiana and shall petition the courts having jurisdiction over that litigation for stays whenever necessary to protect the estate of the insurer. (b) The statute of limitations or the defense of laches shall not run with respect to any action by or against an insurer between the filing of a petition for appointment of a rehabilitator for that insurer and the order granting or denying that petition. Any action by or against the insurer that might have been commenced when the petition was filed may be commenced for at least sixty (60) days after the order of rehabilitation is entered or the petition is denied. (c) Any guaranty association or foreign guaranty association covering life or health insurance or annuities has standing to appear in any court proceeding concerning the rehabilitation of a life or health insurer if that association is or may become liable to act as a result of the rehabilitation.