<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" citation="COMAR 31.15.08.05" title_num="31" subtitle_num="15" chapter_num="08" heading="Claims Registers.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Each insurer shall maintain claims registers separated for:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Annuity contracts and life insurance policies, excluding credit life insurance;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Health insurance policies, excluding credit health insurance; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Credit life insurance and credit health insurance policies.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Claims registers may be maintained manually or on computer-generated tapes from which hard copy can be supplied.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Claims registers shall list each claim received, showing the:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Date of receipt;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Policy or contract number;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Name of the insured;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>General nature of the claim; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>State of residence of the claimant.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Each claim shall be assigned a unique claim number.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>If a claim is closed but subsequently reopened, the original claim number shall continue to be used.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Each claim shall be considered a single claim regardless of the number of times it has been closed and reopened.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Payments made to a claimant on an ongoing basis shall be recorded under the original claim number and considered a single claim for purposes of these regulations.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>The Commissioner may grant permission to an insurer to use an alternate claim numbering system upon submission by the insurer of proof satisfactory to the Commissioner that the requirements of §§E, F, and G of this regulation are impracticable or unduly burdensome to the insured.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>Claims registers, in original form or reproduced from computer data, shall be available for inspection by the Insurance Commissioner or by persons designated by the Commissioner for a period of at least 5 years following the date of filing of a claim.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>