<section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-101" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>Unless approved by the Commissioner, a group life insurance policy may not be offered to a resident of the State under a group life insurance policy issued:</text> <level label="1"> <text>to a group other than one described in Subtitle 2 of this title; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in another jurisdiction unless the type of group to be covered conforms substantially to a type of group described in Subtitle 2 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The premium for the policy shall be paid either from the policyholder’s funds or from funds contributed by the covered persons, or from both.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An insurer may exclude or limit the coverage on any person as to whom evidence of individual insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A policy of group life insurance may not be delivered or issued for delivery in the State if the policy excludes or restricts liability for death that is the result of an act of terrorism that the covered person did not commit and in which the covered person did not participate.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>An insurer who seeks to solicit coverage for Maryland residents under a group life insurance policy issued in another jurisdiction shall include in the certificate form used in connection with the coverage a notice on the first page in 12-point bold type that states:</text> <text>“The group insurance policy providing coverage under this certificate was issued in a jurisdiction other than Maryland and may not provide all of the benefits required by Maryland law.”</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-102" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, interest on benefits payable under a policy of group life insurance issued in the State shall accrue and be payable from the date of death of the insured until the date on which the proceeds of the policy are paid.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>An insurer is not required to pay interest on benefits if the proceeds of the policy are paid within 30 days after the date of death of the insured.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If proof of death is submitted to the insurer more than 180 days after the date of death of the insured, interest shall accrue and be payable from the date on which proof of death is submitted to the insurer until the date on which the proceeds of the policy are paid.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Interest under this section shall accrue and be payable at a rate not less than the rate of interest payable on death proceeds left on deposit with the insurer.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-103" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <text>An insurer that issues a policy to a creditor to insure debtors of the creditor shall provide to the creditor for delivery to each debtor insured under the policy a form that states that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the life of the debtor is insured under the policy; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a death benefit paid under the policy because of the debtor’s death shall be applied to reduce or extinguish the indebtedness.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-104" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>An insured under a policy of group life insurance, in accordance with an arrangement among the insured, the group policyholder, and the insurer, may assign to any person any or all of the rights and benefits conferred on the insured by the policy or by law, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the right to have issued to the insured an individual policy of life insurance arising from conversion as set forth in §§ 17-309 through 17-311 of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the right to name a beneficiary.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An assignment made under this section, even if made before the effective date of this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>vests in the assignee all rights and benefits that are assigned; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>entitles the insurer to deal with the assignee as the owner of all rights and benefits conferred on the insured under the policy:</text> <level label="i"> <text>in accordance with the terms of the assignment; but</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>without prejudice to the insurer on account of a payment the insurer makes or an individual policy the insurer issues arising from conversion of the policy before receipt at the insurer’s home office of notice of the assignment.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-201" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Group Policy Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the requirements of this section, a policy may be issued to an employer, or to the trustees of a fund established by an employer, in which the employer or trustees shall be deemed the policyholder, to insure employees of the employer for the benefit of persons other than the employer.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The employees eligible for insurance under the policy shall be all of the employees of the employer, or all of any class or classes of employees.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The policy may provide that the term “employees” shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the employees of one or more subsidiary corporations, and the employees, individual proprietors, and partners of one or more affiliated corporations, proprietorships, or partnerships if the business of the employer and of the affiliated corporations, proprietorships, or partnerships is under common control; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the individual proprietor or partners if the employer is an individual proprietorship or partnership.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The policy may provide that the term “employees” may include retired employees, former employees, and directors of a corporate employer.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A policy issued to insure the employees of a public body may provide that the term “employees” shall include elected or appointed officials.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The premium for the policy shall be paid either from the employer’s funds, or from funds contributed by the insured employees, or from both.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, a policy on which no part of the premium is to be derived from funds contributed by the insured employees must insure all eligible employees, except those who reject the coverage in writing.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An insurer may exclude or limit the coverage on any person as to whom evidence of individual insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-202" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Group Policy Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the requirements of this section, a policy may be issued to a labor union, or similar employee organization, which shall be deemed to be the policyholder, to insure members of the union or organization for the benefit of persons other than the union or organization or any of its officials, representatives, or agents.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The members eligible for insurance under the policy shall be all of the members of the union or organization, or all of any class or classes of members.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The premium for the policy shall be paid either from funds of the union or organization, or from funds contributed by the insured members specifically for their insurance, or from both.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, a policy on which no part of the premium is to be derived from funds contributed by the insured members specifically for their insurance must insure all eligible members, except those who reject the coverage in writing.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An insurer may exclude or limit the coverage on any person as to whom evidence of individual insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-203" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Group Policy Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the requirements of this section, a policy may be issued to a trust or to the trustees of a fund established or adopted by two or more employers, or by one or more labor unions or similar employee organizations, or by one or more employers and one or more labor unions or similar employee organizations, which trust or trustees shall be deemed the policyholder, to insure employees of the employers or members of the unions or organizations for the benefit of persons other than the employers or the unions or organizations.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The persons eligible for insurance shall be all of the employees of the employers or all of the members of the unions or organizations, or all of any class or classes of employees or members.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The policy may provide that the term “employees” shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the employees of one or more subsidiary corporations, and the employees, individual proprietors, and partners of one or more affiliated corporations, proprietorships, or partnerships if the business of the employer and of the affiliated corporations, proprietorships, or partnerships is under common control;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the individual proprietor or partners if the employer is an individual proprietorship or partnership;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>retired employees, former employees, and directors of a corporate employer; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>trustees or their employees, or both, if their duties are principally connected with the trusteeship.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The premium for the policy shall be paid from funds contributed by the employer or employers of the insured persons, or by the union or unions or similar employee organizations, or by both, or from funds contributed by the insured persons or from both the insured persons and the employers or unions or similar employee organizations.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, a policy on which no part of the premium is to be derived from funds contributed by the insured persons specifically for their insurance must insure all eligible persons, except those who reject the coverage in writing.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An insurer may exclude or limit the coverage on any person as to whom evidence of individual insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-204" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Group Policy Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to the requirements of this section, a policy may be issued to an association or to a trust or to the trustees of a fund established, created, or maintained for the benefit of members of one or more associations.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The association or associations:</text> <level label="i"> <text>shall have at the outset a minimum of 100 persons;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>shall have been organized and maintained in good faith for purposes other than that of obtaining insurance;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>shall have been in active existence for at least 2 years; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>shall have a constitution and bylaws that provide that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the association or associations hold regular meetings not less than annually to further purposes of the members;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>except for credit unions, the association or associations collect dues or solicit contributions from members; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the members have voting privileges and representation on the governing board and committees.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The policy may insure members of the association or associations, employees of the association or associations, or employees of members, or one or more of the preceding or all of any class or classes of members or employees for the benefit of persons other than the employee’s employer.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The premium for the policy shall be paid from funds contributed by the association or associations, or by employer members, or by both, or from funds contributed by the covered persons or from both the covered persons and the association, associations, or employer members.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, a policy on which no part of the premium is to be derived from funds contributed by the covered persons specifically for the insurance must insure all eligible persons, except those who reject the coverage in writing.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An insurer may exclude or limit the coverage on any person as to whom evidence of individual insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-205" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Group Policy Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Public employees association” means an association of federal, State, county, or municipal corporation employees.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Public employer” means a county, municipal corporation, association of counties or municipal corporations, State college or university, or unit of State, county, or municipal corporation government.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to the requirements of this section, the lives of a group of individuals may be insured under a policy issued to a public employer or public employees association to cover employees of the public employer or members of the public employees association for the benefit of persons other than the public employer or public employees association.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The public employer or public employees association to which the policy is issued is deemed the policyholder.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>All employees of the public employer, all members of the public employees association, or all of any class or classes of employees or members determined by conditions pertaining to their employment or membership in the public employees association or both are eligible for insurance under a policy issued in accordance with this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A policy issued to insure employees of a public employer may provide that the term “employee” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a retired employee; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an elected or appointed official.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The premium for the policy shall be paid from funds contributed by the public employer or public employees association, or by both, or from funds contributed by the covered persons or from both the covered persons and the public employer or public employees association.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, a policy on which no part of the premium is to be derived from funds contributed by the covered persons specifically for the insurance must insure all eligible persons, except those who reject the coverage in writing.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An insurer may exclude or limit the coverage on any person as to whom evidence of individual insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A public employer may require written authorization from an employee to deduct from the employee’s salary the required contributions for the premium.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-206" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Group Policy Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the requirements of this section, a policy may be issued to a creditor or its parent holding company or to a trustee or trustees or agent designated by two or more creditors, which creditor, holding company, affiliate, trustee, trustees, or agent shall be deemed the policyholder, to insure debtors of the creditor, or creditors.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The debtors eligible for insurance under the policy shall be all of the debtors of the creditor or creditors, or all of any class or classes of debtors.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The policy may provide that the term “debtors” shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>borrowers of money or purchasers or lessees of goods, services, or property for which payment is arranged through a credit transaction;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the debtors of one or more subsidiary corporations; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the debtors of one or more affiliated corporations, proprietorships, or partnerships if the business of the policyholder and of the affiliated corporations, proprietorships, or partnerships is under common control.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The premium for the policy shall be paid either from the creditor’s funds, or from charges collected from the insured debtors, or from both.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, a policy on which no part of the premium is to be derived from the funds contributed by insured debtors specifically for their insurance must insure all eligible debtors.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An insurer may exclude any debtors as to whom evidence of individual insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The amount of insurance on the life of any debtor shall at no time exceed the greater of the scheduled or actual amount of unpaid indebtedness to the creditor.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The insurance may be payable to the creditor or any successor to the right, title, and interest of the creditor.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The payment shall reduce or extinguish the unpaid indebtedness of the debtor to the extent of the payment and any excess of the insurance shall be payable to the beneficiary named by the insured other than the creditor or to the estate of the insured.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection:</text> <level label="i"> <text>insurance on agricultural credit transaction commitments not exceeding a term of 1 year may be written up to the amount of the loan commitment on a nondecreasing or level term plan; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>insurance on educational credit transaction commitments may be written up to the amount of the loan commitment less the amount of any repayments made on the loan.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-207" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Group Policy Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to the requirements of this section, the lives of a group of individuals may be insured under a policy issued to a credit union organized in accordance with State law or the Federal Credit Union Act to cover members of the credit union for the benefit of persons other than the credit union or its officials.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The credit union to which the policy is issued is deemed the policyholder.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>All members of the credit union, or all of any class or classes of members determined by conditions pertaining to their age or membership in the credit union or both, are eligible for insurance under a policy issued in accordance with this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The premiums for the policy shall be paid from funds contributed by the credit union or insured members, or by both.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, a policy on which no part of the premium is to be derived from funds contributed by the insured member for the insurer must insure all eligible persons, except those who reject the coverage in writing.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An insurer may exclude or limit the coverage on any persons as to whom evidence of individual insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-208" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Group Policy Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to the requirements of this section, the lives of a group of individuals may be insured under a policy issued to a volunteer fire, rescue squad, or ambulance service organization to cover the registered members of the organization for the benefit of persons other than the organization.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The volunteer fire, rescue squad, or ambulance service organization to which the policy is issued is deemed the policyholder.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>All registered members of a volunteer fire, rescue squad, or ambulance service organization are eligible for insurance under a policy issued in accordance with this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The premiums for the policy shall be paid from funds contributed by the volunteer fire, rescue squad, or ambulance service organization or funds contributed by the insured members or from both.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, a policy on which no part of the premium is to be derived from funds contributed by the insured member specifically for the insurance must insure all eligible persons, except those who reject the coverage in writing.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An insurer may exclude or limit the coverage on any person as to whom evidence of individual insurability is not satisfactory to the insurer.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-209" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Group Policy Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Insurance under a policy of group life insurance issued in accordance with §§ 17–201 through 17–205 of this subtitle may be extended to cover the spouse, domestic partner, or dependent children of each insured employee or member who elects to obtain the coverage.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The policy may provide that the term “dependent children” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an insured employee’s or member’s child under 18 years of age; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an insured employee’s or member’s child 18 years of age or older who attends an educational institution and relies on the insured employee or member for financial support.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The term “domestic partner” has the meaning stated in the policy.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The insurance on the life of a spouse, domestic partner, or child may not exceed the amount of the insurance on the life of the insured employee or member.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The policyholder shall pay the premium for the insurance on the spouse, domestic partner, or child:</text> <level label="1"> <text>wholly from the funds of the policyholder or funds contributed by the policyholder;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>wholly from funds contributed by the insured employees or members; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>partly from the funds of the policyholder or funds contributed by the policyholder and partly from funds contributed by the insured employees or members.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A spouse, domestic partner, or dependent child insured under this section is entitled to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the rights of conversion under § 17–309 of this title, if employment of the employee or membership in the class or classes eligible for insurance under the policy is terminated; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the rights of conversion under § 17–310 of this title, if the policy of group life insurance terminates or is amended to terminate the insurance of the spouse, domestic partner, or dependent child.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Notwithstanding § 17–308 of this title, only one certificate must be issued for each family unit if a statement about a dependent’s coverage is included in the certificate.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-301" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Group Life Insurance Policy Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a policy of group life insurance may not be delivered in the State unless it contains in substance:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the provisions of §§ 17-302 through 17-311 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>provisions that in the opinion of the Commissioner are:</text> <level label="i"> <text>more favorable to the insureds; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>at least as favorable to the insureds and more favorable to the policyholder.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Sections 17-307 through 17-311 of this subtitle do not apply to policies issued to a creditor to insure debtors of the creditor.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The standard provisions required for individual life insurance policies do not apply to policies of group life insurance.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If a policy of group life insurance is on a plan other than the term plan, the policy:</text> <level label="i"> <text>shall contain a nonforfeiture provision that in the opinion of the Commissioner is equitable to the insured and the policyholder; but</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>need not contain the same nonforfeiture provisions required for individual life insurance policies.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-302" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Group Life Insurance Policy Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>Each policy of group life insurance shall contain a provision that the policyholder is entitled to a grace period of 31 days for payment of any premium due except the first premium.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The death benefit coverage continues in force during the grace period unless the policyholder has given the insurer written notice of discontinuance before the date of discontinuance and in accordance with the terms of the policy.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The policy may provide that the policyholder is liable to the insurer for paying a pro rata premium for the time the policy was in force during the grace period.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-303" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Group Life Insurance Policy Provisions"> <text>Each policy of group life insurance shall contain a provision that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the policy is incontestable, except for nonpayment of premiums, after the policy has been in force for 2 years after its date of issue; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a statement made by an insured under the policy about insurability may not be used to contest the validity of the insurance as to which the statement was made unless:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the insurance has been in force before the contest for less than 2 years during the insured’s lifetime; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the statement is in writing and signed by the insured.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-304" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Group Life Insurance Policy Provisions"> <text>Each policy of group life insurance shall contain a provision that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>requires a copy of any application of the policyholder to be attached to the policy when issued;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the statements made by the policyholder or the insured are considered representations and not warranties; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a statement made by an insured may not be used in a contest unless a copy of the instrument that contains the statement is provided to the insured or, in the event of death or incapacity of the insured, to the insured’s beneficiary.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-305" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Group Life Insurance Policy Provisions"> <text>Each policy of group life insurance shall contain a provision that sets forth any conditions under which the insurer reserves the right to require an individual eligible for insurance to provide evidence of individual insurability satisfactory to the insurer as a condition to part or all of the coverage.</text> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-306" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Group Life Insurance Policy Provisions"> <text>Each policy of group life insurance shall contain a provision that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>specifies that an equitable adjustment of premiums or benefits or both will be made if the age of an insured is misstated; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>clearly states the method of adjustment to be used.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-307" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Group Life Insurance Policy Provisions"> <text>Each policy of group life insurance shall contain a provision that any sum due because of the death of the insured is payable to the beneficiary designated by the insured, subject to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the provisions of the policy as to payment of all or part of the sum if a designated beneficiary is not alive at the death of the insured; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any right that the insurer reserves in the policy and sets forth in the certificate to pay at its option a part of the sum, not exceeding $2,500, to a person that the insurer considers equitably entitled to it for having incurred funeral or other expenses incident to the insured’s death or last illness.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-308" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Group Life Insurance Policy Provisions"> <text>Each policy of group life insurance shall contain a provision that requires the insurer to issue to the policyholder, for delivery to each insured, an individual certificate that states:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the insurance protection to which the insured is entitled;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>each person to whom the insurance benefits are payable; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the rights and conditions set forth in § 17–102 of this title and §§ 17–309 through 17–311 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-309" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Group Life Insurance Policy Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>Each policy of group life insurance shall contain a provision that if the insurance or any part of it on an insured ceases under the policy because of termination of employment or membership in the class or classes eligible for coverage under the policy, the insured is entitled to have issued by the insurer, without evidence of insurability, an individual policy of life insurance without disability or other supplementary benefits, subject to the following conditions:</text> <level label="1"> <text>subject to subsection (b) of this section, application for the policy must be made and the first premium must be paid to the insurer within 31 days after the termination of employment or membership;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the individual policy is, at the option of the insured, on any form, except term insurance, customarily issued by the insurer at the age and for the amount applied for;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the individual policy is in an amount that does not exceed the amount of life insurance that ceases because of the termination of employment or membership, less the amount of life insurance for which the insured is eligible under the same or another group policy within 31 days after the termination of employment or membership;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the premium on the individual policy is at the insurer’s customary rate applicable to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the form and amount of the individual policy;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the class of risk to which the insured belongs; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the age of the insured attained on the effective date of the individual policy; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the insured is entitled to written notice of the insured’s rights under this section at least 15 days prior to the expiration of the conversion period provided for in item (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If the insured is not provided with the notice required under subsection (a)(5) of this section, the insured shall have an additional 15 days from the date on which written notice is received to make application for the individual policy and pay the first premium to the insurer.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In no event shall the additional period provided under paragraph (1) of this subsection extend beyond 60 days after the expiration of the conversion period provided for in subsection (a)(1) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>For purposes of subsection (a)(3) of this section, insurance that matures on or before the date of the termination of employment or membership as an endowment payable to the insured, whether in one sum, in installments, or in the form of an annuity, may not be included in the amount of life insurance that is considered to cease because of the termination of employment or membership.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-310" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Group Life Insurance Policy Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, each policy of group life insurance shall contain a provision that if the group policy terminates or is amended so as to terminate the insurance of a class of insureds, each insured at the date of the termination whose insurance terminates and who has been insured for at least 5 years before the termination date is entitled to have issued to that insured by the insurer an individual policy of life insurance subject to the same conditions and limitations provided in § 17-309 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The group policy may provide that the amount of an individual policy issued under this section may not exceed the lesser of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the amount of the insured’s life insurance protection that has terminated, less the amount of life insurance for which the insured is or becomes eligible under a group policy issued or reinstated by the same or another insurer within 31 days after the termination; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>$10,000.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gin" article_name="Insurance" number="17-311" title_number="17" title_name="Group Life Insurance" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Group Life Insurance Policy Provisions"> <text>Each policy of group life insurance shall contain a provision that if an insured under the policy dies while entitled to an individual policy under § 17-309 or § 17-310 of this subtitle but before the individual policy becomes effective, the amount of life insurance to which the insured would have been entitled shall be payable as a claim under the group policy, whether or not application for the individual policy or payment of the first premium has been made.</text> </section>