<section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-101" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <text>This title does not apply to reinsurance and wet marine and transportation insurance.</text> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-102" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b)(1) of this section, an insurance contract or annuity contract shall contain the standard provisions required under this article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commissioner may waive the required use of a provision in an insurance policy or contract form if the Commissioner:</text> <level label="i"> <text>finds that the provision is unnecessary to protect the insured or is inconsistent with the purposes of the policy; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>approves the policy.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A required standard provision may not be waived by agreement between an insurer and another person.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>In this subsection the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Carrier” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an insurer authorized to sell health insurance;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a nonprofit health service plan;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a health maintenance organization; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>any other entity providing a plan of health insurance, health benefits, or health services authorized under this article or the Affordable Care Act.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>“Enrollee” means an individual entitled to benefits from a carrier’s health benefit plan.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>“Health benefit plan” has the meaning stated in § 15–1301 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each health benefit plan issued by a carrier shall include provisions that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>permit enrollees a minimum of 1 year after the date of service to submit a claim for the service;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>provide that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an enrollee’s legal incapacity shall suspend the time to submit a claim; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the suspension period ends when legal capacity is regained; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>provide that the failure to submit a claim within 1 year after the date of service does not invalidate or reduce the amount of the claim if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>it was not reasonably possible to submit the claim within 1 year after the date of service; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the claim is submitted within 2 years after the date of service.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Commissioner may approve a substitute provision in an insurance policy or annuity contract if the provision is not less favorable than the required provision to the insured, annuitant, or beneficiary.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Instead of a provision required by this article, a foreign insurer or alien insurer may use a substantially similar provision required by the law of the foreign insurer’s or alien insurer’s domicile if the substantially similar provision does not conflict with the law of this State.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A policy or contract may not contain a provision that is inconsistent with a standard provision used or required to be used.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-103" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <text>An otherwise valid insurance policy, rider, or endorsement issued after December 31, 1963, with a condition or provision that does not comply with the requirements of this article is not invalid but is to be construed and applied in accordance with the condition or provision that would be applicable if the policy, rider, or endorsement were in full compliance with this article.</text> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-104" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>A provision in an insurance contract or surety contract that sets a shorter time to bring an action under or on the insurance contract or surety contract than required by the law of the State when the insurance contract or surety contract is issued or delivered is against State public policy, illegal, and void.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If an insurance contract or surety contract contains a provision that is illegal under this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a State court may not give effect to the provision; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a defense to liability under the insurance contract or surety contract may not be based upon the shorter limitation period.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-105" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <text>Without limitation of any right or defense of an insurer, the following acts by or on behalf of an insurer are not considered to be a waiver of a provision of a policy or of a defense of the insurer under the policy:</text> <level label="1"> <text>acknowledging the receipt of notice of loss or claim under the policy;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>furnishing a form for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>reporting a loss or claim;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>giving information relating to a loss or claim; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>making proof of a loss;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>receiving or acknowledging receipt of a form or proof listed in item (2) of this section, completed or uncompleted;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>investigating a loss or claim under a policy; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>engaging in negotiations toward settlement of a loss or claim.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-106" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>“Material risk factor” means a risk factor that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>was incorrectly recorded or not disclosed by the insured in an application for insurance;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>was in existence on the date of the application; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>modifies the premium charged on the policy or binder in accordance with the rates and supplementary rating information filed by the insurer under Title 11, Subtitle 3 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Material risk factor” does not include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>information that constitutes a material misrepresentation; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a change initiated by an insured, including any request by the insured that results in a change in coverage, change in deductible, or other change to a policy.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Personal insurance” means property insurance or casualty insurance issued to an individual, trust, estate, or similar entity that is intended to insure against loss arising principally from the personal, noncommercial activities of the insured.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section applies only to a binder or policy, other than a renewal policy, of personal insurance, commercial property insurance, and commercial liability insurance.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A binder or policy is subject to a 45–day underwriting period beginning on the effective date of coverage.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>An insurer may cancel a binder or policy during the underwriting period if the risk does not meet the underwriting standards of the insurer.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the insurer discovers a material risk factor during the underwriting period, the insurer shall recalculate the premium for the policy or binder based on the material risk factor as long as the risk continues to meet the underwriting standards of the insurer in accordance with the rates and supplementary rating information filed by the insurer under Title 11, Subtitle 3 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An insurer that recalculates a premium under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall provide a written notice to the insured on a form approved by the Commissioner that states:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the amount of the recalculated premium;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the reason for the increase or reduction in the premium; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the insured’s right to terminate the policy.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>If applicable, at the time of application or when a binder or policy is issued, an insurer shall provide written notice of its ability to cancel a binder or policy or recalculate the premium from the effective date of the policy during the underwriting period.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a notice of cancellation under this section shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>be in writing;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>have an effective date not less than 15 days after mailing;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>state clearly and specifically the insurer’s actual reason for the cancellation; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>be sent by a first–class mail tracking method to the named insured’s last known address.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A notice of cancellation under this section for nonpayment of premium shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>be in writing;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>have an effective date of not less than 10 days after mailing;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>state the insurer’s intent to cancel for nonpayment of premium; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>be sent by a first–class mail tracking method to the named insured’s last known address.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>With respect to a workers’ compensation insurance policy or binder, the insurer shall file a copy of the notice of cancellation required under paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection with the designee of the Workers’ Compensation Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>A binder or other contract for temporary insurance:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may be made orally or in writing; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>except as superseded by the clear and express terms of the binder, is considered to include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>all the usual terms of the policy as to which the binder was given; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the applicable endorsements designated in the binder.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>A binder is no longer valid after the policy as to which it was given is issued.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>If a binder is given to a consumer borrower to satisfy a lender’s requirement that the borrower obtain property insurance or credit loss insurance as a condition of making a loan secured by a first mortgage or first deed of trust on an interest in owner–occupied residential real property, the insurer or its insurance producer shall include in or with the binder:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the name and address of the insured consumer borrower;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the name and address of the lender;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a description of the insured residential real property;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a provision that the binder may not be canceled within the term of the binder unless the lender and the insured borrower receive written notice at least 15 days before the cancellation;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>except in the case of the renewal of a policy after the closing of a loan, a paid receipt for the full amount of the applicable premium; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>the amount of coverage.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>With respect to a binder given under this subsection, an insurer:</text> <level label="i"> <text>if the binder is to be canceled, shall give the lender and the insured consumer borrower at least 15 days’ written notice before the cancellation; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>within 45 days after the date the binder was given, shall issue a policy of insurance or provide the required notice of cancellation of the binder.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, an insurer may rescind a policy or binder of personal automobile insurance if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the applicant’s initial premium payment for the policy or binder is made by a check or other remittance that is not honored on presentation to the financial institution where the check or other remittance is drawn; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the insurer has disclosed to the applicant at the time of application that no coverage will be in effect if the initial premium payment is not honored on presentation to the financial institution.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An insurer shall continue or reinstate a policy or binder under paragraph (1) of this subsection without a lapse in coverage if:</text> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>the financial institution erroneously failed to honor the check or other remittance; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the applicant:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>promptly notifies the insurer of the error; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>provides documentation of the error to the insurer as it becomes available and on request of the insurer; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the applicant or any secured creditor pays the insurer the amount of the initial premium within 5 business days after the insurer has sent notice, as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, to the applicant and any secured creditor that the check or other remittance for the initial premium payment was not honored.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>To rescind a policy or binder, an insurer shall send, immediately or the next business day after receipt of a notice that the check or other remittance for the initial premium payment was not honored on presentation to the financial institution, written notice to the applicant and any secured creditor, by a first–class mail tracking method and, if available, by electronic mail or other electronic means, to the applicant’s and any secured creditor’s last known address, stating that:</text> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>the policy or binder is rescinded as of its proposed effective date because the applicant’s check or other remittance for the initial premium payment was not honored on presentation to the financial institution; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>no coverage is in effect under the policy or binder; but</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the insurer shall continue or reinstate the policy or binder without a lapse in coverage if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the financial institution erroneously failed to honor the check or other remittance and the applicant:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>promptly notifies the insurer of the error; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>provides documentation of the financial institution’s error to the insurer as it becomes available and on request of the insurer; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the applicant or any secured creditor pays the insurer the amount of the initial premium within 5 business days after the insurer has sent notice to the applicant and any secured creditor that the check or other remittance for the initial premium payment was not honored.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-107" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>Notwithstanding any provision of this article or other law that specifies the content of policies, the Commissioner may approve and insurers may issue simplified policies of insurance that provide broad coverage of all or various combinations of risks.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commissioner shall adopt regulations that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>specify the standards that must be met by insurers for issuing simplified policies; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>ensure protections to policyholders and claimants that are not less favorable than protections to which they would be entitled under a substantially similar policy that is not subject to this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-201" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Life and Health Insurance and Annuities"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>An individual of competent legal capacity may procure or effect an insurance contract on the individual’s own life or body for the benefit of any person.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a person may not procure or cause to be procured an insurance contract on the life or body of another individual unless the benefits under the insurance contract are payable to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the individual insured;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the individual insured’s personal representative; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a person with an insurable interest in the individual insured at the time the insurance contract was made.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>With reference to personal insurance, an insurable interest includes only the interests described in this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>For individuals related closely by blood or law, a substantial interest engendered by love and affection is an insurable interest.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For the prospective parent of a prospective adoptive child, an insurable interest exists in the life of the child as of the date of the earlier of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a placement for adoption, as defined in § 5-301 of the Family Law Article, provided that:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>any consents required under Title 5, Subtitle 3 or Subtitle 3A of the Family Law Article have been given; or</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>a decree awarding guardianship has been granted under Title 5, Subtitle 3 or Subtitle 3A of the Family Law Article; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an interlocutory or final decree of adoption.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For persons other than individuals closely related by blood or law, a lawful and substantial economic interest in the continuation of the life, health, or bodily safety of the individual is an insurable interest but an interest that arises only by, or would be enhanced in value by, the death, disablement, or injury of the individual is not an insurable interest.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>This paragraph applies only to employees with respect to whom the corporate employer or an employer sponsored trust for the benefits of employees is the beneficiary under an insurance contract, if the employer is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a private corporation; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a public corporation, the stock of which is traded on a recognized stock exchange or traded in accordance with the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (NASDAQ) Systems.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A lawful and substantial economic interest exists in:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a key employee of a private corporation or a public corporation described in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a nonkey employee of a public corporation described in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph if:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>the employee has been employed by the public corporation for at least 12 consecutive months and consents in writing to the insurance contract; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>the amount of insurance coverage on the nonkey employee does not exceed an amount commensurate with employer-provided benefits.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>This paragraph applies only to a contract or option for the purchase or sale of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an interest in a business partnership or firm; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>stock shares, or an interest in stock shares, of a close corporation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An individual party to a contract or option described in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph has an insurable interest in the life of each individual party to the contract or option.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The insurable interest specified in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is only for the purposes of the contract or option; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is in addition to any other insurable interest that may exist on the life of an individual party to the contract or option.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The trustee of a trust has an insurable interest in the life of an individual insured under a life insurance policy owned by the trust or the trustee of a trust if, on the date on which the policy is issued:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the insured is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the grantor of the trust;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an individual related closely by blood or law to the grantor; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>an individual in whom the grantor otherwise has an insurable interest; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the life insurance proceeds are primarily for the benefit of trust beneficiaries having an insurable interest in the life of the insured.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>A partnership, limited partnership, or limited liability company has an insurable interest in the life of an individual insured under a life insurance policy owned by the partnership, limited partnership, or limited liability company if, on the date on which the policy is issued, substantially all of the owners of the partnership, limited partnership, or limited liability company are:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the insured;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>individuals related closely by blood or law to the insured; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>persons having an insurable interest in the life of the insured.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only to a charitable, benevolent, educational, governmental, or religious institution that is described in § 170(b)(1)(A) or § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a trust for the benefit of that institution that is qualified as a pooled income fund under § 642(c)(5) or a charitable remainder trust under § 664 of the Internal Revenue Code.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An institution or trust described in paragraph (1) of this subsection may procure or cause to be procured an insurance policy on the life of an individual if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the institution or trust is designated irrevocably as the beneficiary of the insurance policy; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the application for the insurance policy is signed by the individual whose life is to be insured or the individual’s legal guardian.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>This subsection does not prohibit the institution or individual from being the beneficiary or owner of the policy or paying the premiums for the policy.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If a beneficiary, assignee, or other payee under an insurance contract made in violation of this section receives from the insurer benefits that accrue on the insured’s death, disablement, or injury, the insured or the insured’s executor or administrator may bring an action to recover benefits from the payee that receives them.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Notwithstanding subsection (b)(4) of this section, a corporate employer with an insurable interest in employees described in subsection (b)(3) or (4) of this section may not retaliate against an employee who refuses to consent to an insurance contract being purchased in the employee’s name.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-202" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Life and Health Insurance and Annuities"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection does not apply to a contract of group life insurance or group or blanket health insurance.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a life insurance or health insurance contract may not be made or put into effect unless at the time of making the contract the individual to be insured:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is of competent legal capacity to contract; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>applies for or consents in writing to the contract.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A spouse may put into effect life insurance or health insurance on the other spouse.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person with an insurable interest in the life of a minor, or a person on whom the minor is dependent for support and maintenance, may put into effect life insurance on or insurance relating to the minor.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A family policy that insures two or more family members may be issued on an application signed by a parent, stepparent, husband, or wife.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A person with an insurable interest in the life of a person who lacks the legal capacity to consent to life insurance may, on written application, put into effect life insurance on that person.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>If an agreement in an application for a life insurance or health insurance contract authorizes the insurer to issue a policy other than that applied for or to amend the application, the agreement must contain substantially the following language: “Except that no change in amount, classification, plan of insurance, or benefits may take effect unless agreed to in writing by the applicant”.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Ratification of an amendment under paragraph (1) of this subsection is made by the applicant’s acceptance of the amended contract.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-203" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Life and Health Insurance and Annuities"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>This section applies to a form for a life insurance or health insurance policy, an annuity contract, an application for that policy or contract that is required to be written, a rider, or an endorsement that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is delivered or issued for delivery in the State; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>is used by domestic insurers for delivery in a jurisdiction outside the State, if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the insurance supervisory official of the jurisdiction informs the Commissioner that the form is not subject to approval or disapproval by the official; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Commissioner requires the form to be submitted to the Commissioner for approval.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This section does not apply to unique riders, endorsements, or forms that are:</text> <level label="i"> <text>designed for and relate to the manner of distribution of benefits or to the reservation of rights and benefits under life insurance or health insurance policies or annuity contracts; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>used at the request of the individual policyholder, contract holder, or certificate holder.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A form subject to this section may not be delivered or issued for delivery in the State, unless the form has been filed with and approved by the Commissioner.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An individual certificate may not be used in connection with a group or blanket insurance policy or group annuity contract unless the form for the certificate has been filed with and approved by the Commissioner.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The filing of a form with the Commissioner shall be made at least 60 days before delivery.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Approval by the Commissioner of the form constitutes a waiver of any unexpired part of the filing period.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Commissioner may extend the initial filing period up to an additional 30 days if the Commissioner gives notice of the extension before the initial filing period ends.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The form is deemed approved unless the Commissioner affirmatively approves or disapproves it before the end of the initial filing period or any extended period.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>At any time, the Commissioner may withdraw approval of a form, if the Commissioner:</text> <level label="i"> <text>gives prior notice of the withdrawal;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>shows cause for the withdrawal; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>states the effective date of the withdrawal in the notice.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The withdrawal of approval shall take effect at least 20 days after the withdrawal notice is given.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commissioner may order an exemption from this section for as long as the Commissioner considers proper for an insurance document or form or type of insurance document or form if the Commissioner finds that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>this section is not practicably applicable; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the filing and approval of the document or form or type of document or form are not desirable or necessary to protect the public.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Commissioner may adopt regulations to allow a type or kind of form to be effective upon receipt of the filing by the Commissioner.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If an insurer uses a form which becomes effective in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph and the form would be subject to disapproval under § 12-205(b) of this subtitle, the Commissioner may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>subsequently disapprove the form; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>impose on the insurer a penalty under § 4-113 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>If an insurer files a form with the Commissioner which becomes effective in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the insurer shall pay the applicable filing fee provided in § 2-112 of this article.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commissioner shall approve life insurance policies, health insurance policies, and annuity contracts in loose-leaf form and shall approve alternate pages submitted separately for use with the policies and contracts if their provisions comply with this article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Whenever alternate pages are filed after the initial policies or contracts are approved, the Commissioner may require that those policies or contracts also be submitted with an explanation of the intended usage of the alternate pages.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A combination of approved pages may form a complete policy or contract if a schedule is filed with the Commissioner that shows the pages to be used to form each particular policy or contract.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The applicable standards for forms used by domestic insurers for delivery in the State shall apply to forms used by domestic insurers for delivery outside the State.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>By regulation, the Commissioner shall adopt the language and format for standard provisions required under § 12-102(a) of this title for contracts and policies issued by insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-204" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Life and Health Insurance and Annuities"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commissioner may hold hearings to determine if accident, disability, and health insurance policies meet the requirements of § 12-205 of this subtitle, so that fraud and the issuance of insurance policies economically unsound to insureds may be prevented and to ensure that a minimum amount of benefits or coverage is made available to the policy or certificate holders.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>After evaluating the results of a hearing, the Commissioner shall, in compliance with § 12-205 of this subtitle, adopt reasonable regulations establishing minimum benefits or coverages necessary to meet the needs of insureds.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-205" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Life and Health Insurance and Annuities"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commissioner shall disapprove a form or withdraw the previous approval of a form filed under § 12–203 of this subtitle if the form does not meet the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The order of disapproval or withdrawal of approval shall inform the insurer of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a statutory or regulatory basis for the disapproval or withdrawal of approval; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an explanation of the application of the statutory or regulatory basis for the disapproval or withdrawal of approval.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A form may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in any respect violate or fail to comply with this article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>contain or incorporate by reference, if the incorporation is otherwise permissible, any inconsistent, ambiguous, or misleading clauses, or exceptions and conditions that deceptively affect the risk purported to be assumed in the general coverage of the contract;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>have a title, heading, or other indication of its provisions that is likely to mislead the policyholder or certificate holder;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>contain an inequitable provision of insurance without substantial benefit to the policyholder;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>be printed or otherwise reproduced so as to make a provision of the form substantially illegible;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>provide benefits in a health insurance policy that are unreasonable in relation to the premium charged;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>contain, irrespective of the premium charged, a benefit that is not sufficient to be of real economic value to the insured;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>fail to provide minimum benefits or coverages that the Commissioner considers necessary to meet the minimum needs of the insured; or</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>in a health insurance application form or a nonprofit health service plan application form, contain inquiries about:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a preexisting condition, illness, or disease for which the applicant has not received medical care or advice from a licensed health care provider:</text> <level label="1"> <text>during the 7 years immediately before the date of application; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for an application for an individual health benefit plan that is subject to § 15–508.1 of this article, during the 5 years immediately before the date of application; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>medical screening, testing, monitoring, or any other similar medical procedure that the Commissioner specifies and that the applicant received:</text> <level label="1"> <text>more than 7 years before the date of application; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for an application for an individual health benefit plan that is subject to § 15–508.1 of this article, more than 5 years before the date of application.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-206" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Life and Health Insurance and Annuities"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection does not apply to industrial life insurance policies.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Unless a complete copy of the application for the issuance of a life insurance or health insurance policy or annuity contract is attached to or otherwise made a part of the policy or contract when issued, the application is not admissible in evidence in a proceeding relating to the policy or contract.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If an insured, beneficiary, or assignee of a reinstated or renewed life insurance or health insurance policy that is delivered in the State makes a written request to the insurer for a copy of any application for reinstatement or renewal, the insurer shall deliver or mail the copy within 30 days after the request is received at the insurer’s home office or branch office.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a requested copy is not delivered or mailed, the insurer may not introduce the application in evidence in any proceeding based on or involving the policy, its reinstatement, or its renewal.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the request is from a beneficiary, the time for the insurer to provide a copy does not begin to run until after the insurer receives evidence that satisfies the insurer of the beneficiary’s vested interest in the policy or contract.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, an alteration of a written application for a life insurance or health insurance policy or annuity contract may not be made by a person other than the applicant without the applicant’s written consent.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An insurer may make an insertion for administrative purposes only in a way that indicates clearly that the insertion is not to be ascribed to the applicant.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-207" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Life and Health Insurance and Annuities"> <level label="a"> <text>Each statement by or on behalf of the insured or annuitant in an application for the issuance, renewal, or reinstatement of a life insurance or health insurance policy or annuity contract is considered to be a representation and not a warranty.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A misrepresentation, omission, concealment of facts, or incorrect statement does not prevent a recovery under the policy or contract unless:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the misrepresentation, omission, concealment, or statement is fraudulent or material to the acceptance of the risk or to the hazard that the insurer assumes; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if the correct facts had been made known to the insurer, as required by the application for the policy or contract or otherwise, the insurer in good faith would not have:</text> <level label="i"> <text>issued, reinstated, or renewed the policy or contract;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>issued the policy or contract in as large an amount or at the same premium or rate; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>provided coverage with respect to the hazard resulting in the loss.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-208" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Life and Health Insurance and Annuities"> <level label="a"> <text>Whenever the proceeds of or payments under a life insurance or health insurance policy or annuity contract become payable in accordance with the policy or contract or in accordance with the exercise of any right or privilege under the policy or contract, and the insurer makes payment in accordance with the policy or contract or in accordance with a written assignment of the policy or contract, the person then designated in the policy or contract or by the assignment as being entitled to the proceeds or payments is entitled to receive the proceeds or payments and to give a full release.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Payment shall discharge the insurer fully from all claims under the policy or contract unless, before payment is made, the insurer has received at its home office notice written by or on behalf of another person that the other person claims to be entitled to the payment or to some interest in the policy or contract.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-209" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Life and Health Insurance and Annuities"> <text>A life insurance or health insurance policy or annuity contract may not be delivered or issued for delivery in the State if the policy or contract:</text> <level label="1"> <text>states that the policy or contract is to be construed according to the laws of another state or country;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>states that the rights and obligations of the insured or of a person with a claim under the policy or contract are to be governed by laws other than the laws of this State;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>provides a period shorter than 3 years within which an action may be brought on the policy or contract;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>deprives the courts of the State of the jurisdiction of any action against the insurer;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>provides that the insurance producer who solicits the insurance or annuity is the agent of the insured; or</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>makes the acts or representations of the insurance producer who solicits the insurance or annuity binding on the insured.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-210" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Life and Health Insurance and Annuities"> <level label="a"> <text>On advance written notice to an insurer, the Commissioner may extend by a maximum of 60 days the grace period for making premium payments on life insurance, accident, and health insurance policies if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an emergency situation exists that would delay or prevent the prompt and orderly payment of the premiums due by all or a substantial number of the insureds of the insurer; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the emergency is not the fault of the insureds.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>For purposes of this section, an emergency situation includes a fire, earthquake, flood, postal strike, insurance producer strike, or other situation that is not under the control of insureds.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-211" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Life and Health Insurance and Annuities"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “carrier” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an insurer;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a nonprofit health service plan; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a health maintenance organization.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A health insurance policy, a life insurance policy, an annuity contract, a health maintenance organization contract, or a disability insurance policy may not be sold, delivered, or issued for delivery in the State by a carrier if the policy contains a clause that purports to reserve sole discretion to the carrier to interpret the terms of the policy or to provide standards of interpretation or review that are inconsistent with the laws of the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-301" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Property and Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “insurable interest” means an actual, lawful, and substantial economic interest in the safety or preservation of the subject of the insurance against loss, destruction, or pecuniary damage or impairment to the property.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A contract of property insurance or a contract of insurance of an interest in or arising from property is enforceable only for the benefit of a person with an insurable interest in the property at the time of the loss.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An insurable interest in property is measured by the extent of possible harm to the insured from loss, injury, or impairment of the property.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only to an automobile insurance policy that is procured by an independent insurance producer.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Upon renewal of an existing automobile insurance policy, if the insured or a person holding an insurable interest in the subject of the policy requests proof of insurance, an authorized insurer shall provide:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a copy of the automobile insurance policy declarations; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>written proof of the automobile insurance that consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name and address of the insured and insurer;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a description of the vehicle, including the vehicle identification number, that is the subject of the insurance policy;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a description and the amount, if applicable, of the insurance coverage including applicable deductibles;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the inception and expiration dates of coverage;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the name and address of the person with an insurable interest; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the premium for the applicable coverage.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>An insurer may require written authorization from the insured before providing proof of insurance under this section to a person other than a financial institution.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-302" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Property and Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance"> <level label="a"> <text>A guardian of a minor may insure for the minor property that the minor owns.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A property insurance contract issued to a guardian under subsection (a) of this section has the same effect as if the minor were an adult and had made the property insurance contract.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-303" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Property and Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance"> <text>A change of interest on the death of the insured does not void property insurance and the property insurance passes to the person taking the interest in the property.</text> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-304" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Property and Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance"> <level label="a"> <text>If an insurer issues and delivers a policy to a lender on property of a borrower that has been pledged, mortgaged, or is subject to a conditional contract of sale, the insurer must issue a certificate to the borrower or owner of the property in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The certificate issued under this section shall set forth:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the coverages provided in the policy;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the amount of premium charged for the policy;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the date the policy takes effect; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the date the policy expires.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-305" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Property and Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance"> <level label="a"> <text>A claim for damage to property resulting from a motor vehicle accident may not be denied or payment of the claim delayed because the claimant, or another person, has a claim pending for bodily injury that may have arisen from the same or another accident.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The amount payable for a claim for damage to property is due and owing immediately and shall be paid promptly by an insurer or by a self-insurer that is approved under § 17-103(a) of the Transportation Article if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the insurer or self-insurer has provided the coverage for the liable party; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>there is no significant dispute about:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the liability for the payment of the full property damages; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the monetary amount of those damages, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>if claimed, an amount for the loss of the use of the motor vehicle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the cost of obtaining an estimate of repairs.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="12-306" title_number="12" title_name="Policy Forms and Provisions" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Property and Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance"> <text>A settlement made by an insurer or a self-insurer approved under § 17-103(a) of the Transportation Article under a motor vehicle liability insurance policy of a claim arising from an accident or other event for damage to or destruction of property owned by another person:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may not be construed as an admission of liability by the insured or recognition of liability by the insurer or self-insurer with respect to another claim arising from the same accident or event; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>does not preclude a claim for bodily injury or other claims outside the scope of the settlement.</text> </level> </section>