(a) An insurer may not knowingly refer a claim or loss for administration in this state to a person purporting to be or acting as an administrator unless the person holds a certificate of authority under this chapter.
(b) Before first referring a claim or loss for administration, an insurer must ascertain from the commissioner whether the person performing the administration holds a certificate of authority under this chapter. Once the insurer has ascertained that the person holds a certificate of authority, the insurer may refer a claim to the person for administration and may continue to refer claims to the person until the insurer has knowledge or receives information from the commissioner that the person no longer holds a certificate of authority.