Del. Code tit. 18 § 3541

Current through 2024 Legislative Session Act Chapter 254
Section 3541 - Filing and required provisions in blanket policies

Any insurer authorized to write health insurance in this State shall have the power to issue blanket health insurance. No such blanket policy, except as provided in § 2712 of this title, may be issued or delivered in this State unless a copy of the form thereof shall have been filed in accordance with such § 2712 of this title. Every such blanket policy shall contain provisions which in the opinion of the Commissioner are not less favorable to the policyholder and the individual insured than the following:

(1) A provision that the policy, including endorsements, copies of the applications, if any, of the policyholder and the persons insured shall constitute the entire contract between the parties, and that any statement made by the policyholder or by a person insured shall, in absence of fraud, be deemed a representation and not a warranty and that no such statements shall be used in defense to a claim under the policy, unless contained in a written application. Such person, his/her beneficiary, or assignee, shall have the right to make written request to the insurer for a copy of such application and the insurer shall, within 15 days after the receipt of such request at its home office or any branch office of the insurer, deliver or mail to the person making such request a copy of such application. Such written request shall provide the insurer with the full name and address of the insured, the policyowner and the policy number if known, or the written request shall contain such information that the insurer can reasonably be expected to locate the application. If such copy shall not be so delivered or mailed, the insurer shall be precluded from introducing such application as evidence in any action based upon or involving any statements contained therein.
(2) A provision that written notice of sickness or of injury must be given to the insurer within 20 days after the date when such sickness or injury occurred. Failure to give notice within such time shall not invalidate nor reduce any claim if it shall be shown not to have been reasonably possible to give such notice and that notice was given as soon as was reasonably possible.
(3) A provision that the insurer will furnish either to the claimant or to the policyholder for delivery to the claimant such forms as are usually furnished by it for filing proof of loss. If such forms are not furnished before the expiration of 15 days after giving of such notice, the claimant shall be deemed to have complied with the requirements of the policy as to proof of loss upon submitting, within the time fixed in the policy for filing proof of loss, written proof covering the occurrence, the character and the extent of the loss for which claim is made.
(4) A provision that in the case of claim for loss of time for disability, written proof of such loss must be furnished to the insurer within 90 days after the commencement of the period for which the insurer is liable, and that subsequent written proofs of the continuance of such disability must be furnished to the insurer at such intervals as the insurer may reasonably require and that in the case of claim for any other loss, written proof of such loss must be furnished to the insurer within 90 days after the date of such loss. Failure to furnish such proof within such time shall not invalidate or reduce any claim if it shall be shown not to have been reasonably possible to furnish such proof and that such proof was furnished as soon as was reasonably possible.
(5) A provision that all benefits payable under the policy other than benefits for loss of time will be payable immediately upon receipt of due written proof of such loss, and that, subject to due proof of loss, all accrued benefits payable under the policy for loss of time will be paid not less frequently than monthly during the continuance of the period for which the insurer is liable and that any balance remaining unpaid at the termination of such period will be paid immediately upon receipt of such proof.
(6) A provision that the insurer at its own expense shall have the right and opportunity to examine the person of the insured when and so often as it may reasonably require during the pendency of claim under the policy and also the right and opportunity to make an autopsy where it is not prohibited by law.
(7) A provision that no action at law or in equity shall be brought to recover under the policy prior to the expiration of 60 days after written proof of loss has been furnished in accordance with the requirements of the policy and that no such action shall be brought after the expiration of 3 years after the time written proof of loss is required to be furnished.

18 Del. C. § 3541

18 Del. C. 1953, § 3507; 56 Del. Laws, c. 380, § 1; 66 Del. Laws, c. 175, §1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;