Mo. Code Regs. tit. 20 § 400-5.500

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 1, January 2, 2025

Section 20 CSR 400-5.500 - Life Insurance Sold to College Students

PURPOSE: This rule explains the practice which must be followed by insurance producers who sell or present plans of life insurance to college students. This rule was adopted pursuant to the provisions of section 374.045, RSMo and implements section 375.936, RSMo.

(1) The rule and procedures following will apply to all insurers, and insurance producers who sell or present plans of college life insurance to undergraduates and graduate students throughout Missouri:

(A) If the applicant is a minor and executes a promissory note for the payment of any part of the premiums, the note must be cosigned by the applicant's parent, legal guardian or adult spouse;

(B) The application form for the coverages must recite the terms of any promissory note executed in connection with the coverages, showing the amount of the note, the balance due, the payment provisions and any credit to reflect the down payment, the down payment being required by this rule;

(C) If a note is taken to finance less than the full first year premium, the balance must be paid by the applicant at the time the application is taken;

(D) Down payments shall be made in cash or by check and may not be paid or advanced by the producing insurance producer;

(E) A copy of the note must be attached to the policy at the time of delivery. Delivery must be in person by a company representative. In the event that personal delivery is for good reason impractical, delivery may be made by use of United States certified mail, return receipt requested and delivery to addressee only;

(F) Upon delivery, a policy receipt or acceptance form must be executed which recites that-

1. The policy has been issued as represented; and

2. The insured acknowledges and understands the provisions and obligations of the financial indebtedness that s/he has incurred;

(G) The receipt or acceptance form mentioned in subsection (1)(F) shall be registered by a number corresponding to the policy number in the home office; the forms shall not be distributed to field representatives or insurance producers but are to be furnished from and by the home office when sending the policy to the producing insurance producer;

(H) If the promissory note of the insured is sold or discounted to a third party by either the company or the insurance producer, the transferor must inform the insured of the sale or transfer within thirty (30) days of same. The notice may invite questions as to whether the terms and conditions for payment are modified, but if applicable, must explain that the policy is security for payment for the note;

(I) Whenever insurance of this type replaces existing life insurance, either wholly or partially, 20 CSR 400-5.400 must be strictly observed;

(J) Insurance producers or field representatives of the company who are licensed by this state to represent the company as licensed life insurance producers may not represent, refer to or hold themselves out to the public under any special title or as representatives of any special policy or company unless they identify themselves as licensed insurance producers. No person other than a licensed insurance producer shall participate in the transaction, solicitation or effectuation of life insurance with respect to college students in this state;

(K) Any insured may cancel his/her obligations under the policy of insurance or the promissory note connected with the policy of insurance within fourteen (14) days from the delivery of the policy; a provision advising the insured of same shall be placed in the notices now required by subsection (1)(F) of this rule. Upon the cancellation, the insured shall be entitled to a full refund of premium paid; and

(L) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1)(K) of this rule, if the Department of Commerce and Insurance determines, after a prompt and fair investigation, that the company or its insurance producers have violated this rule or materially misrepresented the contract, the policy issued will be cancelled, the applicant released from all obligations and a total refund made of partial or down payments.

(2) The following practices are deemed deceptive and misleading and, if proven after the hearing required by section 375.940, RSMo, shall subject the insurer to the penalties provided by law: Violations by insurance producers listed in this rule shall subject them to the penalties now contained in section 375.141, RSMo.

(A) Telling or informing an applicant, either directly or indirectly, that s/he will receive the first or other year of insurance free of charge;

(B) Representing that the cash or surrender value of the policy actually sold is greater than it is; or

(C) Making any other untrue or misleading representation about the coverage or the terms and condition for payment for the coverage.

20 CSR 400-5.500

AUTHORITY: sections 374.045 and 375.936, RSMo 2000.* This rule was previously filed as 4 CSR 190-13.070. Original rule filed Jan. 2, 1970, effective Jan. 15, 1970. Amended: Filed June 12, 1970, effective July 1, 1970. Amended: Filed Aug. 5, 1974, effective Aug. 15, 1974. Amended: Filed July 12, 2002, effective Jan. 30, 2003. Non-substantive change filed Sept. 11, 2019, published Oct. 31, 2019.

*Original authority: 374.045, RSMo 1967, amended 1993, 1995 and 375.936, RSMo 1959, amended 1967, 1969, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1991.