Use of confidential information.

(1) Documents, reports, materials, and other information created, produced, or obtained pursuant to ss. 625.121 and 625.1212 are privileged, confidential, and exempt as provided in s. 624.4212, and are not subject to subpoena or discovery directly from the office. However, the department or office may use the confidential and exempt information in the furtherance of any regulatory or legal action brought against an insurer as a part of the official duties of the department or office. A waiver of any other applicable claim of confidentiality or privilege may not occur as a result of a disclosure to the office under this section, any other section of the insurance code, or as a result of sharing under s. 624.4212.

(2) Neither the office nor any person who received confidential and exempt information while acting under the authority of the office or with whom such information is shared pursuant to s. 624.4212 may be permitted or required to testify in a private civil action concerning any confidential and exempt information subject to s. 624.4212. If any portion of the confidential memorandum is cited by the insurer in its marketing, is cited before a governmental agency other than a state insurance department, or is released by the insurer to the news media, no portion of the memorandum is confidential.

(3) A privilege established under the law of any state or jurisdiction that is substantially similar to the privilege established under subsection (1) shall be available and enforced in any proceeding in and in any court of this state.