Wis. Admin. Code Office of the Commissioner of Insurance Ins 3.13

Current through November 25, 2024

Section Ins 3.13 - Individual accident and sickness insurance

(1) PURPOSE. This section implements and interprets applicable statutes for the purpose of establishing procedures and requirements to expedite the review and approval of individual accident and sickness policies permitted by s. Ins 6.75(1) (c) or (2) (c), and franchise type accident and sickness policies permitted by s. 600.03(22), Stats., and s. Ins 6.75(1) (c) and (2) (c). The requirements in subs. (2), (3), (4) and (6) are to be followed in substance, and wording other than that described may be used provided it is not less favorable to the insured or beneficiary.

(2) POLICY PROVISIONS.

(a) If a policy is not to insure against sickness losses resulting from conditions in existence prior to the effective date of coverage, or in existence prior to a specified period after such effective date, the policy by its terms shall indicate that it covers sickness contracted and commencing (or beginning, or originating, or first manifested or words of similar import) after such effective date or after such specified period. Wording shall not be used that requires the cause of the condition or sickness, as distinguished from the condition or sickness itself, to originate after such effective date or such specified period.

Note: It is understood that "sickness" as used herein means the condition or disease from which the disability or loss results. Paragraph (a) shall not apply to nor prohibit the exclusion from coverage of a disease or physical condition by name or specific description.

(b) Where any "specified period" referred to in par. (a) exceeds 30 days, it shall apply to the occurrence of loss and not to the contracting or commencement of sickness after such period.

(c) A policy, other than a non-cancellable policy or a non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable policy or a guaranteed renewable policy, shall set forth the conditions under which the policy may be renewed, either by: A brief description of the policy's renewal conditions, or a separate statement referring to the policy's renewal conditions, or a separate appropriately captioned renewal provision appearing on or commencing on the first page.

1. The brief description, if used to meet the foregoing requirement, shall be printed, in type more prominent than that used in the policy's text, at the top or bottom of the policy's first page and on its filing back, if any, and shall describe its renewal conditions in one of the following ways: "Renewal Subject to Consent of Company," "Renewal Subject to Company Consent," "Renewal at Option of Company," "Renewal at Option of Company as Stated in " (refer to appropriate policy provision), or "Renewal May be Refused as Stated in " (refer to appropriate policy provision). A company may submit other wording, subject to approval by the commissioner, which it believes is equally clear or more definite as to subject matter.

2. The separate statement, if used to meet the foregoing requirement, shall be printed, in type more prominent than that used in the policy's text, at the top or bottom of the policy's first page and on its filing back, if any, and shall describe its renewal conditions in one of the following ways: "Renewal Subject to Consent of Company," "Renewal Subject to Company Consent," "Renewal at Option of Company," "Renewal at Option of Company as Stated in " (refer to appropriate policy provision), or "Renewal May be Refused as Stated in " (refer to appropriate policy provision). A company may submit other wording, subject to approval by the commissioner, which it believes is equally clear or more definite as to subject matter.

3. The renewal provision appearing on or commencing on the policy's first page, if used to meet the foregoing requirement, shall be preceded by a caption which describes the policy's renewal conditions in one of the following ways: "Renewal Subject to Consent of Company," "Renewal Subject to Company Consent," "Renewal at Option of Company," "Renewal at Option of Company as Stated Below," or "Renewal May be Refused as Stated Herein." A company may submit other wording, subject to approval by the commissioner, which it believes is equally clear or more definite as to subject matter. The caption shall be in type more prominent than that used in the policy's text.

(d) If the policy is not renewable, it shall be so described in the brief description or in a separate statement at the top or bottom of the first page and on the filing back, if any, or it shall be so described in a separate appropriately captioned provision on the first page. The brief description, or the separate statement, or the caption shall be printed in type more prominent than that used in the policy's text.

(e)

1. The terms "non-cancellable" or "non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable" may be used only in a policy which the insured has the right to continue in force by the timely payment of premiums set forth in the policy:

a. Until at least age 50, or

b. In the case of a policy issued after age 44, for at least 5 years from its date of issue, during which period the insurer has no right to make unilaterally any change in any provision of the policy while the policy is in force.

2. A non-cancellable or non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable policy form shall disclose, as prominently as and in close conjunction with any prominent use of the terms "non-cancellable" or "non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable:"

a. The age to or term for which the form is non-cancellable or non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable, if other than lifetime,

b. The age or time at which the form's benefits are reduced, if applicable, (The age or time at which a form's benefits are reduced need not be so disclosed if such reduction is not effected prior to the age to or term for which the form is non-cancellable or non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable or if regular benefits are payable at least to the age to or term for which the form is non-cancellable or non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable.) and

c. That benefit payments are subject to an aggregate limit, if applicable.

3. Except as provided above, the term "guaranteed renewable" may be used only in a policy which the insured has the right to continue in force by the timely payment of premiums:

a. Until at least age 50, or

4. A guaranteed renewable policy form shall disclose, as prominently as and in close conjunction with any prominent use of the term "guaranteed renewable:"

a. The age to or term for which the form is guaranteed renewable, if other than lifetime,

b. The age or time at which the form's benefits are reduced, if applicable, (The age or time at which a form's benefits are reduced need not be so disclosed if such reduction is not effected prior to the age to or term for which the form is guaranteed renewable or if regular benefits are payable at least to the age to or term for which the form is guaranteed renewable.)

c. That benefit payments are subject to an aggregate limit, if applicable, and

d. That the applicable premium rates may be changed.

Note: "Prominent use" as referred to in subds. 2. and 4. is considered to include, but is not necessarily limited to, use in titles, brief descriptions, captions, bold-face type, or type larger than that used in the text of the form.

5. The foregoing limitation on the use of the term "non-cancellable" shall also apply to any synonymous term such as "not cancellable" and the limitation on use of the term "guaranteed renewable" shall apply to any synonymous term such as "guaranteed continuable."

6. Nothing herein contained is intended to restrict the development of policies having other guarantees of renewability, or to prevent the accurate description of their terms of renewability or the classification of such policies as guaranteed renewable or non-cancellable for any period during which they may actually be such, provided the terms used to describe them in policy contracts and advertising are not such as may readily be confused with the above terms.

7. The provisions of ss. 632.76(1), 632.74 and 632.77(3), Stats., are applicable to non-cancellable or non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable or guaranteed renewable policy forms as herein defined.

(f) Policies issued on a family basis shall clearly set forth the conditions relating to termination of coverage of any family member.

(g) Surgical benefit provisions or schedules shall provide that the benefit for any covered surgical procedure not specifically listed in the schedule and not excluded by the provisions of the policy shall be determined by the company on a basis consistent with the benefit provided for a comparable listed procedure.

(h) A limited policy is one that contains unusual exclusions, limitations, reductions, or conditions of such a restrictive nature that the payments of benefits under such policy are limited in frequency or in amounts. All limited policies shall be so identified by having the words "THIS IS A LIMITED POLICY-READ IT CAREFULLY" imprinted or stamped diagonally across the face of the policy and the filing back, if any, in contrasting color from the text of the policy and in outline type not smaller than 18-point. When appropriate, these words may be varied by the insurer in a manner to indicate the type of policy; as for example, "THIS POLICY IS LIMITED TO AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS-READ IT CAREFULLY." Without limiting the general definition above, policies of the following types shall be defined as "limited:" 1. School Accident, 2. Aviation Accident, 3. Polio, 4. Specified Disease, 5. Automobile Accident.

(i) If the policy excepts coverage while the insured is in military or naval service, the policy must provide for a refund of pro rata unearned premium upon request of the insured for any period the insured is not covered. However, if coverage is excluded only for loss resulting from military or naval service or war, the refund provision will not be required. This section shall not apply to non-cancellable policies or non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable policies or guaranteed renewable policies.

(j) Except as provided in s. Ins 3.39(7) (d), (dm), and (dt), the provision or notice regarding the right to return the policy required by s. 632.73, Stats., shall comply with all of the following:

1. Be printed on or attached to the first page of the policy,

2. Have a caption or title which refers at least to the right to examine or to return the policy such as: "Right to Return Policy Within 10 Days of Receipt," "Notice: Right to Return Policy," "Right of Policy Examination," "Right to Examine Policy," "Right to Examine Policy for 10 Days," "10 Day Right to Examine Policy," "10 Day Right to Return Policy," or "Notice of 10 Day Right to Return Policy," or other wording, subject to approval by the commissioner, which is believed to be equally clear or more definite as to subject matter, and

3. Provide an unrestricted right to return the policy, within 10 days from the date it is received by the policyholder, to the issuer at its home or branch office, if any, or to the agent through whom it was purchased; except it shall provide an unrestricted right to return the policy within 30 days of the date it is received by the policyholder in the case of a Medicare supplement policy subject to s. Ins 3.39(4), (4m), (4t), (5), (5m), (5t), and (6), issued pursuant to a direct response solicitation. Provision shall not be made to require the policyholder to set out in writing the reasons for returning the policy, to require the policyholder to first consult with an agent of the issuer regarding the policy, or to limit the reasons for return.

Note: Paragraph (j) was adopted to assist in the application of s. 204.31(2) (a), Stats., to the review of accident and sickness policy and other contract forms. Those statutory requirements are presently included in s. 632.73, Stats. The original statute required that the provision of notice regarding the right to return the policy must be appropriately captioned or titled. Since the important rights given the insured are to examine the policy and to return the policy, the rule requires that the caption or title must refer to at least one of these rights-examine or return. Without such reference, the caption or title is not considered appropriate.

The original statute permitted the insured to return the policy for refund to the home office or branch office of the insurer or to the agency with whom it was purchased. In order to assure the refund is made promptly, some insurers prefer to instruct the insured to return the policy to a particular office or agent for a refund. Notices or provisions with such requirements will be approved on the basis that the insurer must recognize an insured's right to receive a full refund if the policy is returned to any other office or agent mentioned in the statute.

Also, the statute permits the insured to return a policy for refund within 10 days from the date of receipt. Some insurers' notices or provisions regarding such right, however, refer to delivery to the insured instead of receipt by the insured or do not specifically provide for the running of the 10 days from the date the insured receives the policy. Notices or provisions containing such wording will be approved on the basis that the insurer will not refuse refund if the insured returns the policy within 10 days from the date of receipt of the policy.

Sections 632.73(2m) and 600.03(35) (e), as created by Chapter 82, Laws of 1981, provide for the right of return provisions in certain certificates of group Medicare supplement policies. Therefore, for purposes of this subparagraph, the word policy includes a Medicare supplement certificate subject to s. Ins 3.39(4), (4m), (4t), (5), (5m), (5t), and (6).

(k) A policy which contains any provision under which the claimant may elect one benefit in lieu of another shall not limit to a specified period the time within which election may be made.

(3) RIDERS AND ENDORSEMENTS.

(a) A rider is an instrument signed by one or more officers of the insurer issuing the same to be attached to and form a part of a policy. All riders shall comply with the requirements of s. 204.31(2) (a) 4, 1973 Stats.

(b) If the rider reduces or eliminates coverage of the policy, signed acceptance of the rider by the insured is necessary. However, signed acceptance of the rider is not necessary when the rider is attached at the time of the original issuance of the policy if notice of the attachment of the rider is affixed on the face and filing back, if any, in contrasting color, in not less than 12-point type. Such notice shall be worded in one of the following ways:

"Notice! See Elimination Rider Attached"

"Notice! See Exclusion Rider Attached"

"Notice! See Exception Rider Attached"

"Notice! See Limitation Rider Attached"

A company may submit, subject to approval by the commissioner, other wording which it believes is equally clear or more definite as to subject matter.

(c) An endorsement differs from a rider only in that it is applied to a policy by means of printing or stamping on the body of the policy. All endorsements shall comply with the requirements of s. 204.31(2) (a) 4, 1973 Stats.

(d) If the endorsement reduces or eliminates coverage of the policy, signed acceptance of the endorsement by the insured is necessary. However, signed acceptance of the endorsement is not necessary when the endorsement is affixed at the time of the original issuance of the policy if notice of the endorsement is affixed on the face and filing back, if any, in contrasting color, in not less than 12-point type. Such notice shall be worded in one of the following ways:

"Notice! See Elimination Endorsement Included Herein"

"Notice! See Exclusion Endorsement Included Herein"

"Notice! See Exception Endorsement Included Herein"

"Notice! See Limitation Endorsement Included Herein"

"Notice! See Reduction Endorsement Included Herein"

A company may submit, subject to approval by the commissioner, other wording which it believes is equally clear or more definite as to subject matter.

(4) APPLICATIONS.

(a) Application forms shall meet the requirements of s. Ins 3.28(3).

(b) It shall not be necessary for the applicant to sign a proxy provision as a condition for obtaining insurance. The applicant's signature to the application must be separate and apart from any signature to a proxy provision.

(c) The application form, or the copy of it, attached to a policy shall be plainly printed or reproduced in light-faced type of a style in general use, the size of which shall be uniform and not less than 10-point.

(6) RATE FILINGS.

(a) The following must be accompanied by a rate schedule:

1. Policy forms.

2. Rider or endorsement forms which affect the premium rate.

(b) The rate schedule shall bear the insurer's name and shall contain or be accompanied by the following information:

1. The form number or identification symbol of each policy, rider or endorsement to which the rates apply.

2. A schedule of rates including policy fees or rate changes at renewal, if any, variations, if any, based upon age, sex, occupation, or other classification.

3. An indication of the anticipated loss ratio on an earned-incurred basis.

4. Any revision of a rate filing shall be accompanied by a statement of the experience on the form and the anticipated loss ratio on an earned-incurred basis under the revised rate filing.

5. Subdivisions 3. and 4. shall not apply to non-cancellable policies or riders or non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable policies or riders or guaranteed renewable policies or riders.

Wis. Admin. Code Office of the Commissioner of Insurance Ins 3.13

Cr. Register, March, 1958, No. 27; sub§§ (1), (5), (6) eff. 4-1-58; sub§§ (2), (3), (4) eff. 5-15-58; am. (2) (c) and cr. (4) (c), Register, March, 1959, No. 39, eff. 4-1-59; am. (2) (e), (6) (b) 3. and 4., Register, November, 1959, No. 47, eff. 12-1-59; am. and renum. (2) (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h); am. (3) and (6) (b) 5., Register, June, 1960, No. 54, eff. 7-1-60; am. (2) (e) 4., Register, November, 1960, No. 59, eff. 12-1-60; r. (2) (j), Register, April, 1963, No. 88, eff. 5-1-63; cr. (2) (j), Register, March, 1964, No. 99, eff. 4-1-64; am. (2) (e) 2. and 4., Register, April, 1964, No. 100, eff. 5-1-64; am. (2) (j) 2.; am. NOTE in (2) (j) 3; Register, March, 1969, No. 159; eff. 4-1-69; cr. (2) (k), Register, June, 1971, No. 186, eff. 7-1-71; am. (4) (a), Register, February, 1974, No. 218, eff. 3-1-74; emerg. am. (1), (2) (e) 7., (2) (j), (3) (a) and (c), eff. 6-22-76; am. (1), (2) (e) 7., (2) (j), (3) (a) and (c), Register, September, 1976, No. 249, eff. 10-1-76; am. (1) and (2) (e) 7, Register, March, 1979, No. 279, eff. 4-1-79; r. (5), Register, January, 1980, No. 289, eff. 2-1-80; am. (2) (j) 3., Register, June, 1982, No. 318, eff. 7-1-82; emerg. am. (2) (j) and cr. (2) (jm), eff. 11-19-85; am. (2) (j) (intro.) and cr. (2) (jm), Register, March, 1986, No. 363, eff. 4-1-86; am. (1), Register, September, 1986, No. 369, eff. 10-1-86; emerg. am. (2) (j) (intro.), renum. (2) (jm) to be Ins 3.39(7) (d), eff. 1-1-92; am. (2) (j) (intro.), renum. (2) (jm) to be Ins 3.39(7) (d), Register, July, 1992, No. 439, eff. 8-1-92; correction in (1) made under s. 13.93(2m) (b) 7, Stats., Register, January, 1999, No. 517; CR 08-112: am. (2) (j) 3. Register June 2009 No. 642, eff. 7-1-09.

Amended by, CR 19-036: am. (2) (j) (intro.), 3. Register December 2019 No. 768, eff. 1/1/2020