CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1398Introduced by Assembly Member KalraFebruary 17, 2017 An act to add Section 10168.45 to the Insurance Code, relating to annuities. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1398, as introduced, Kalra. Annuities: cash surrender benefits.Existing law governs annuities and, for those insurance contracts that provide cash surrender benefits, prescribes the cash surrender benefit available prior to maturity. Existing law also requires the death benefit under these contracts to be at least equal to the cash surrender benefit. Existing law requires, with exceptions, that no contract of annuity be delivered or issued for delivery in this state unless it contains, in substance, specified provisions, or corresponding provisions which in the opinion of the commissioner are at least as favorable to the contractholder, upon cessation of payment of considerations under the contract.This bill would require the insurer to return to the owner all moneys due for annuity contracts that are surrendered by the contract owner as expeditiously as possible after the request for surrender is received, as defined, but no later than 45 days from the date of surrender, as specified. The bill would authorize insurers to require that a request to surrender a contract be in writing and contain various elements, including, the contract or certificate number of the contract to be surrendered. The bill would require a contract to include language or be accompanied by a notice setting forth the elements necessary to surrender the contract, as specified.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 10168.45 is added to the Insurance Code, immediately following Section 10168.4, to read:10168.45. (a) (1) For a contract subject to this article that is surrendered by the contract owner, the insurer shall return to the owner all moneys due in relation to that contract as expeditiously as possible but not later than 45 days from the date the surrender is effective as provided in subdivision (b).(2) An insurer may defer payment of cash surrender value for up to six months, as described in Section 10168.1, to the extent that deferral is necessary to ensure the solvency of the insurer.(b) (1) (A) A surrender of a contract is effective on the date the request is received if the request is made to the insurer, or servicing agent authorized by the insurer in writing to receive requests for surrender on the insurers behalf, and contains the elements specified by the insurer in the contract.(B) The effective date of the surrender of a contract may be up to 45 days after the request for surrender is received if it is permitted by the contract and requested by the contract owner.(2) The insurer may require the request for surrender to be in writing.(3) The elements the insurer may require as part of the request for surrender are limited to the following:(A) A statement that makes it clear that the contract owner intends to surrender, in whole or in part, the contract in question.(B) The contract or certificate number of the contract to be surrendered.(C) The name of the contract owner on the contract to be surrendered.(D) The signature of the owner of the contract and if required by the contract or by a legally binding document that the insurer has actual notice of, the signature of a collateral assignee, irrevocable beneficiary, or other person having an interest in the contract through the legally binding document.(E) Either the contract itself, or, in lieu of the contract, a statement that the contract has been lost or destroyed.(c) When the contract owner requests information about surrendering a contract from the insurer or servicing agent, the insurer or servicing agent shall provide, as expeditiously as possible, a written notice setting forth either the requirements of this section or the insurers requirements.(d) A contract subject to this section shall do either of the following:(1) Include language, which may be included by endorsement, setting forth either the requirements for surrender described in this section or the insurers requirements for surrender.(2) Be accompanied by a notice setting forth the elements required to surrender the contract pursuant to this section or the insurers requirements.(e) (1) For a written request and for purposes of this section, received means the first day that the written notice is delivered to the address of the insurer or servicing agent authorized by the insurer in writing to receive requests for surrender on the insurers behalf.(2) (A) An insurer or servicing agent shall maintain a procedure for ensuring that requests for surrender are logged or stamped on the date received and not on a later date due to the insurers or servicing agents internal routing or delivery procedures.(B) If the procedure required pursuant to subparagraph (A) is not maintained, it shall be conclusively presumed that a request was received on the earliest of the following:(i) The delivery date shown on an express, certified, or registered mail receipt form of the United States Postal Service or by a commercial carrier.(ii) Two business days after the request was postmarked by the United States Postal Service.(iii) One business day before the date stamped received by the insurer or servicing agent.(C) For purposes of this paragraph, business day has the meaning set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 1215.(D) Postmarks generated by postage meters not located at an office of the United States Postal Service are to be disregarded.(f) (1) This section does not alter a contractual provision governing calculation of cash or surrender or other values, unless that contractual provision applies a valuation date other than the effective date of surrender described in subdivision (b) to the calculation of cash or surrender or other values.(2) The effective date established by subdivision (b) is intended to establish a date certain on which a contract owner may rely in determining when the 45-day period specified in subdivision (a) begins to run and a date certain for the insurer to use for the valuation of the contract.(3) An insurer may request information in addition to that listed in subdivision (b). An insurers request for additional information does not delay an effective date established by a contract owners compliance with subdivision (b).(g) For purposes of this section, contract owner shall also mean certificate owner when the surrender is under a group annuity contract subject to this article.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1398Introduced by Assembly Member KalraFebruary 17, 2017 An act to add Section 10168.45 to the Insurance Code, relating to annuities. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1398, as introduced, Kalra. Annuities: cash surrender benefits.Existing law governs annuities and, for those insurance contracts that provide cash surrender benefits, prescribes the cash surrender benefit available prior to maturity. Existing law also requires the death benefit under these contracts to be at least equal to the cash surrender benefit. Existing law requires, with exceptions, that no contract of annuity be delivered or issued for delivery in this state unless it contains, in substance, specified provisions, or corresponding provisions which in the opinion of the commissioner are at least as favorable to the contractholder, upon cessation of payment of considerations under the contract.This bill would require the insurer to return to the owner all moneys due for annuity contracts that are surrendered by the contract owner as expeditiously as possible after the request for surrender is received, as defined, but no later than 45 days from the date of surrender, as specified. The bill would authorize insurers to require that a request to surrender a contract be in writing and contain various elements, including, the contract or certificate number of the contract to be surrendered. The bill would require a contract to include language or be accompanied by a notice setting forth the elements necessary to surrender the contract, as specified.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill No. 1398
Introduced by Assembly Member KalraFebruary 17, 2017
Introduced by Assembly Member Kalra
February 17, 2017
An act to add Section 10168.45 to the Insurance Code, relating to annuities.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1398, as introduced, Kalra. Annuities: cash surrender benefits.
Existing law governs annuities and, for those insurance contracts that provide cash surrender benefits, prescribes the cash surrender benefit available prior to maturity. Existing law also requires the death benefit under these contracts to be at least equal to the cash surrender benefit. Existing law requires, with exceptions, that no contract of annuity be delivered or issued for delivery in this state unless it contains, in substance, specified provisions, or corresponding provisions which in the opinion of the commissioner are at least as favorable to the contractholder, upon cessation of payment of considerations under the contract.This bill would require the insurer to return to the owner all moneys due for annuity contracts that are surrendered by the contract owner as expeditiously as possible after the request for surrender is received, as defined, but no later than 45 days from the date of surrender, as specified. The bill would authorize insurers to require that a request to surrender a contract be in writing and contain various elements, including, the contract or certificate number of the contract to be surrendered. The bill would require a contract to include language or be accompanied by a notice setting forth the elements necessary to surrender the contract, as specified.
Existing law governs annuities and, for those insurance contracts that provide cash surrender benefits, prescribes the cash surrender benefit available prior to maturity. Existing law also requires the death benefit under these contracts to be at least equal to the cash surrender benefit. Existing law requires, with exceptions, that no contract of annuity be delivered or issued for delivery in this state unless it contains, in substance, specified provisions, or corresponding provisions which in the opinion of the commissioner are at least as favorable to the contractholder, upon cessation of payment of considerations under the contract.
This bill would require the insurer to return to the owner all moneys due for annuity contracts that are surrendered by the contract owner as expeditiously as possible after the request for surrender is received, as defined, but no later than 45 days from the date of surrender, as specified. The bill would authorize insurers to require that a request to surrender a contract be in writing and contain various elements, including, the contract or certificate number of the contract to be surrendered. The bill would require a contract to include language or be accompanied by a notice setting forth the elements necessary to surrender the contract, as specified.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 10168.45 is added to the Insurance Code, immediately following Section 10168.4, to read:10168.45. (a) (1) For a contract subject to this article that is surrendered by the contract owner, the insurer shall return to the owner all moneys due in relation to that contract as expeditiously as possible but not later than 45 days from the date the surrender is effective as provided in subdivision (b).(2) An insurer may defer payment of cash surrender value for up to six months, as described in Section 10168.1, to the extent that deferral is necessary to ensure the solvency of the insurer.(b) (1) (A) A surrender of a contract is effective on the date the request is received if the request is made to the insurer, or servicing agent authorized by the insurer in writing to receive requests for surrender on the insurers behalf, and contains the elements specified by the insurer in the contract.(B) The effective date of the surrender of a contract may be up to 45 days after the request for surrender is received if it is permitted by the contract and requested by the contract owner.(2) The insurer may require the request for surrender to be in writing.(3) The elements the insurer may require as part of the request for surrender are limited to the following:(A) A statement that makes it clear that the contract owner intends to surrender, in whole or in part, the contract in question.(B) The contract or certificate number of the contract to be surrendered.(C) The name of the contract owner on the contract to be surrendered.(D) The signature of the owner of the contract and if required by the contract or by a legally binding document that the insurer has actual notice of, the signature of a collateral assignee, irrevocable beneficiary, or other person having an interest in the contract through the legally binding document.(E) Either the contract itself, or, in lieu of the contract, a statement that the contract has been lost or destroyed.(c) When the contract owner requests information about surrendering a contract from the insurer or servicing agent, the insurer or servicing agent shall provide, as expeditiously as possible, a written notice setting forth either the requirements of this section or the insurers requirements.(d) A contract subject to this section shall do either of the following:(1) Include language, which may be included by endorsement, setting forth either the requirements for surrender described in this section or the insurers requirements for surrender.(2) Be accompanied by a notice setting forth the elements required to surrender the contract pursuant to this section or the insurers requirements.(e) (1) For a written request and for purposes of this section, received means the first day that the written notice is delivered to the address of the insurer or servicing agent authorized by the insurer in writing to receive requests for surrender on the insurers behalf.(2) (A) An insurer or servicing agent shall maintain a procedure for ensuring that requests for surrender are logged or stamped on the date received and not on a later date due to the insurers or servicing agents internal routing or delivery procedures.(B) If the procedure required pursuant to subparagraph (A) is not maintained, it shall be conclusively presumed that a request was received on the earliest of the following:(i) The delivery date shown on an express, certified, or registered mail receipt form of the United States Postal Service or by a commercial carrier.(ii) Two business days after the request was postmarked by the United States Postal Service.(iii) One business day before the date stamped received by the insurer or servicing agent.(C) For purposes of this paragraph, business day has the meaning set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 1215.(D) Postmarks generated by postage meters not located at an office of the United States Postal Service are to be disregarded.(f) (1) This section does not alter a contractual provision governing calculation of cash or surrender or other values, unless that contractual provision applies a valuation date other than the effective date of surrender described in subdivision (b) to the calculation of cash or surrender or other values.(2) The effective date established by subdivision (b) is intended to establish a date certain on which a contract owner may rely in determining when the 45-day period specified in subdivision (a) begins to run and a date certain for the insurer to use for the valuation of the contract.(3) An insurer may request information in addition to that listed in subdivision (b). An insurers request for additional information does not delay an effective date established by a contract owners compliance with subdivision (b).(g) For purposes of this section, contract owner shall also mean certificate owner when the surrender is under a group annuity contract subject to this article.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 10168.45 is added to the Insurance Code, immediately following Section 10168.4, to read:10168.45. (a) (1) For a contract subject to this article that is surrendered by the contract owner, the insurer shall return to the owner all moneys due in relation to that contract as expeditiously as possible but not later than 45 days from the date the surrender is effective as provided in subdivision (b).(2) An insurer may defer payment of cash surrender value for up to six months, as described in Section 10168.1, to the extent that deferral is necessary to ensure the solvency of the insurer.(b) (1) (A) A surrender of a contract is effective on the date the request is received if the request is made to the insurer, or servicing agent authorized by the insurer in writing to receive requests for surrender on the insurers behalf, and contains the elements specified by the insurer in the contract.(B) The effective date of the surrender of a contract may be up to 45 days after the request for surrender is received if it is permitted by the contract and requested by the contract owner.(2) The insurer may require the request for surrender to be in writing.(3) The elements the insurer may require as part of the request for surrender are limited to the following:(A) A statement that makes it clear that the contract owner intends to surrender, in whole or in part, the contract in question.(B) The contract or certificate number of the contract to be surrendered.(C) The name of the contract owner on the contract to be surrendered.(D) The signature of the owner of the contract and if required by the contract or by a legally binding document that the insurer has actual notice of, the signature of a collateral assignee, irrevocable beneficiary, or other person having an interest in the contract through the legally binding document.(E) Either the contract itself, or, in lieu of the contract, a statement that the contract has been lost or destroyed.(c) When the contract owner requests information about surrendering a contract from the insurer or servicing agent, the insurer or servicing agent shall provide, as expeditiously as possible, a written notice setting forth either the requirements of this section or the insurers requirements.(d) A contract subject to this section shall do either of the following:(1) Include language, which may be included by endorsement, setting forth either the requirements for surrender described in this section or the insurers requirements for surrender.(2) Be accompanied by a notice setting forth the elements required to surrender the contract pursuant to this section or the insurers requirements.(e) (1) For a written request and for purposes of this section, received means the first day that the written notice is delivered to the address of the insurer or servicing agent authorized by the insurer in writing to receive requests for surrender on the insurers behalf.(2) (A) An insurer or servicing agent shall maintain a procedure for ensuring that requests for surrender are logged or stamped on the date received and not on a later date due to the insurers or servicing agents internal routing or delivery procedures.(B) If the procedure required pursuant to subparagraph (A) is not maintained, it shall be conclusively presumed that a request was received on the earliest of the following:(i) The delivery date shown on an express, certified, or registered mail receipt form of the United States Postal Service or by a commercial carrier.(ii) Two business days after the request was postmarked by the United States Postal Service.(iii) One business day before the date stamped received by the insurer or servicing agent.(C) For purposes of this paragraph, business day has the meaning set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 1215.(D) Postmarks generated by postage meters not located at an office of the United States Postal Service are to be disregarded.(f) (1) This section does not alter a contractual provision governing calculation of cash or surrender or other values, unless that contractual provision applies a valuation date other than the effective date of surrender described in subdivision (b) to the calculation of cash or surrender or other values.(2) The effective date established by subdivision (b) is intended to establish a date certain on which a contract owner may rely in determining when the 45-day period specified in subdivision (a) begins to run and a date certain for the insurer to use for the valuation of the contract.(3) An insurer may request information in addition to that listed in subdivision (b). An insurers request for additional information does not delay an effective date established by a contract owners compliance with subdivision (b).(g) For purposes of this section, contract owner shall also mean certificate owner when the surrender is under a group annuity contract subject to this article.
SECTION 1. Section 10168.45 is added to the Insurance Code, immediately following Section 10168.4, to read:
### SECTION 1.
10168.45. (a) (1) For a contract subject to this article that is surrendered by the contract owner, the insurer shall return to the owner all moneys due in relation to that contract as expeditiously as possible but not later than 45 days from the date the surrender is effective as provided in subdivision (b).(2) An insurer may defer payment of cash surrender value for up to six months, as described in Section 10168.1, to the extent that deferral is necessary to ensure the solvency of the insurer.(b) (1) (A) A surrender of a contract is effective on the date the request is received if the request is made to the insurer, or servicing agent authorized by the insurer in writing to receive requests for surrender on the insurers behalf, and contains the elements specified by the insurer in the contract.(B) The effective date of the surrender of a contract may be up to 45 days after the request for surrender is received if it is permitted by the contract and requested by the contract owner.(2) The insurer may require the request for surrender to be in writing.(3) The elements the insurer may require as part of the request for surrender are limited to the following:(A) A statement that makes it clear that the contract owner intends to surrender, in whole or in part, the contract in question.(B) The contract or certificate number of the contract to be surrendered.(C) The name of the contract owner on the contract to be surrendered.(D) The signature of the owner of the contract and if required by the contract or by a legally binding document that the insurer has actual notice of, the signature of a collateral assignee, irrevocable beneficiary, or other person having an interest in the contract through the legally binding document.(E) Either the contract itself, or, in lieu of the contract, a statement that the contract has been lost or destroyed.(c) When the contract owner requests information about surrendering a contract from the insurer or servicing agent, the insurer or servicing agent shall provide, as expeditiously as possible, a written notice setting forth either the requirements of this section or the insurers requirements.(d) A contract subject to this section shall do either of the following:(1) Include language, which may be included by endorsement, setting forth either the requirements for surrender described in this section or the insurers requirements for surrender.(2) Be accompanied by a notice setting forth the elements required to surrender the contract pursuant to this section or the insurers requirements.(e) (1) For a written request and for purposes of this section, received means the first day that the written notice is delivered to the address of the insurer or servicing agent authorized by the insurer in writing to receive requests for surrender on the insurers behalf.(2) (A) An insurer or servicing agent shall maintain a procedure for ensuring that requests for surrender are logged or stamped on the date received and not on a later date due to the insurers or servicing agents internal routing or delivery procedures.(B) If the procedure required pursuant to subparagraph (A) is not maintained, it shall be conclusively presumed that a request was received on the earliest of the following:(i) The delivery date shown on an express, certified, or registered mail receipt form of the United States Postal Service or by a commercial carrier.(ii) Two business days after the request was postmarked by the United States Postal Service.(iii) One business day before the date stamped received by the insurer or servicing agent.(C) For purposes of this paragraph, business day has the meaning set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 1215.(D) Postmarks generated by postage meters not located at an office of the United States Postal Service are to be disregarded.(f) (1) This section does not alter a contractual provision governing calculation of cash or surrender or other values, unless that contractual provision applies a valuation date other than the effective date of surrender described in subdivision (b) to the calculation of cash or surrender or other values.(2) The effective date established by subdivision (b) is intended to establish a date certain on which a contract owner may rely in determining when the 45-day period specified in subdivision (a) begins to run and a date certain for the insurer to use for the valuation of the contract.(3) An insurer may request information in addition to that listed in subdivision (b). An insurers request for additional information does not delay an effective date established by a contract owners compliance with subdivision (b).(g) For purposes of this section, contract owner shall also mean certificate owner when the surrender is under a group annuity contract subject to this article.
10168.45. (a) (1) For a contract subject to this article that is surrendered by the contract owner, the insurer shall return to the owner all moneys due in relation to that contract as expeditiously as possible but not later than 45 days from the date the surrender is effective as provided in subdivision (b).(2) An insurer may defer payment of cash surrender value for up to six months, as described in Section 10168.1, to the extent that deferral is necessary to ensure the solvency of the insurer.(b) (1) (A) A surrender of a contract is effective on the date the request is received if the request is made to the insurer, or servicing agent authorized by the insurer in writing to receive requests for surrender on the insurers behalf, and contains the elements specified by the insurer in the contract.(B) The effective date of the surrender of a contract may be up to 45 days after the request for surrender is received if it is permitted by the contract and requested by the contract owner.(2) The insurer may require the request for surrender to be in writing.(3) The elements the insurer may require as part of the request for surrender are limited to the following:(A) A statement that makes it clear that the contract owner intends to surrender, in whole or in part, the contract in question.(B) The contract or certificate number of the contract to be surrendered.(C) The name of the contract owner on the contract to be surrendered.(D) The signature of the owner of the contract and if required by the contract or by a legally binding document that the insurer has actual notice of, the signature of a collateral assignee, irrevocable beneficiary, or other person having an interest in the contract through the legally binding document.(E) Either the contract itself, or, in lieu of the contract, a statement that the contract has been lost or destroyed.(c) When the contract owner requests information about surrendering a contract from the insurer or servicing agent, the insurer or servicing agent shall provide, as expeditiously as possible, a written notice setting forth either the requirements of this section or the insurers requirements.(d) A contract subject to this section shall do either of the following:(1) Include language, which may be included by endorsement, setting forth either the requirements for surrender described in this section or the insurers requirements for surrender.(2) Be accompanied by a notice setting forth the elements required to surrender the contract pursuant to this section or the insurers requirements.(e) (1) For a written request and for purposes of this section, received means the first day that the written notice is delivered to the address of the insurer or servicing agent authorized by the insurer in writing to receive requests for surrender on the insurers behalf.(2) (A) An insurer or servicing agent shall maintain a procedure for ensuring that requests for surrender are logged or stamped on the date received and not on a later date due to the insurers or servicing agents internal routing or delivery procedures.(B) If the procedure required pursuant to subparagraph (A) is not maintained, it shall be conclusively presumed that a request was received on the earliest of the following:(i) The delivery date shown on an express, certified, or registered mail receipt form of the United States Postal Service or by a commercial carrier.(ii) Two business days after the request was postmarked by the United States Postal Service.(iii) One business day before the date stamped received by the insurer or servicing agent.(C) For purposes of this paragraph, business day has the meaning set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 1215.(D) Postmarks generated by postage meters not located at an office of the United States Postal Service are to be disregarded.(f) (1) This section does not alter a contractual provision governing calculation of cash or surrender or other values, unless that contractual provision applies a valuation date other than the effective date of surrender described in subdivision (b) to the calculation of cash or surrender or other values.(2) The effective date established by subdivision (b) is intended to establish a date certain on which a contract owner may rely in determining when the 45-day period specified in subdivision (a) begins to run and a date certain for the insurer to use for the valuation of the contract.(3) An insurer may request information in addition to that listed in subdivision (b). An insurers request for additional information does not delay an effective date established by a contract owners compliance with subdivision (b).(g) For purposes of this section, contract owner shall also mean certificate owner when the surrender is under a group annuity contract subject to this article.
10168.45. (a) (1) For a contract subject to this article that is surrendered by the contract owner, the insurer shall return to the owner all moneys due in relation to that contract as expeditiously as possible but not later than 45 days from the date the surrender is effective as provided in subdivision (b).(2) An insurer may defer payment of cash surrender value for up to six months, as described in Section 10168.1, to the extent that deferral is necessary to ensure the solvency of the insurer.(b) (1) (A) A surrender of a contract is effective on the date the request is received if the request is made to the insurer, or servicing agent authorized by the insurer in writing to receive requests for surrender on the insurers behalf, and contains the elements specified by the insurer in the contract.(B) The effective date of the surrender of a contract may be up to 45 days after the request for surrender is received if it is permitted by the contract and requested by the contract owner.(2) The insurer may require the request for surrender to be in writing.(3) The elements the insurer may require as part of the request for surrender are limited to the following:(A) A statement that makes it clear that the contract owner intends to surrender, in whole or in part, the contract in question.(B) The contract or certificate number of the contract to be surrendered.(C) The name of the contract owner on the contract to be surrendered.(D) The signature of the owner of the contract and if required by the contract or by a legally binding document that the insurer has actual notice of, the signature of a collateral assignee, irrevocable beneficiary, or other person having an interest in the contract through the legally binding document.(E) Either the contract itself, or, in lieu of the contract, a statement that the contract has been lost or destroyed.(c) When the contract owner requests information about surrendering a contract from the insurer or servicing agent, the insurer or servicing agent shall provide, as expeditiously as possible, a written notice setting forth either the requirements of this section or the insurers requirements.(d) A contract subject to this section shall do either of the following:(1) Include language, which may be included by endorsement, setting forth either the requirements for surrender described in this section or the insurers requirements for surrender.(2) Be accompanied by a notice setting forth the elements required to surrender the contract pursuant to this section or the insurers requirements.(e) (1) For a written request and for purposes of this section, received means the first day that the written notice is delivered to the address of the insurer or servicing agent authorized by the insurer in writing to receive requests for surrender on the insurers behalf.(2) (A) An insurer or servicing agent shall maintain a procedure for ensuring that requests for surrender are logged or stamped on the date received and not on a later date due to the insurers or servicing agents internal routing or delivery procedures.(B) If the procedure required pursuant to subparagraph (A) is not maintained, it shall be conclusively presumed that a request was received on the earliest of the following:(i) The delivery date shown on an express, certified, or registered mail receipt form of the United States Postal Service or by a commercial carrier.(ii) Two business days after the request was postmarked by the United States Postal Service.(iii) One business day before the date stamped received by the insurer or servicing agent.(C) For purposes of this paragraph, business day has the meaning set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 1215.(D) Postmarks generated by postage meters not located at an office of the United States Postal Service are to be disregarded.(f) (1) This section does not alter a contractual provision governing calculation of cash or surrender or other values, unless that contractual provision applies a valuation date other than the effective date of surrender described in subdivision (b) to the calculation of cash or surrender or other values.(2) The effective date established by subdivision (b) is intended to establish a date certain on which a contract owner may rely in determining when the 45-day period specified in subdivision (a) begins to run and a date certain for the insurer to use for the valuation of the contract.(3) An insurer may request information in addition to that listed in subdivision (b). An insurers request for additional information does not delay an effective date established by a contract owners compliance with subdivision (b).(g) For purposes of this section, contract owner shall also mean certificate owner when the surrender is under a group annuity contract subject to this article.
10168.45. (a) (1) For a contract subject to this article that is surrendered by the contract owner, the insurer shall return to the owner all moneys due in relation to that contract as expeditiously as possible but not later than 45 days from the date the surrender is effective as provided in subdivision (b).
(2) An insurer may defer payment of cash surrender value for up to six months, as described in Section 10168.1, to the extent that deferral is necessary to ensure the solvency of the insurer.
(b) (1) (A) A surrender of a contract is effective on the date the request is received if the request is made to the insurer, or servicing agent authorized by the insurer in writing to receive requests for surrender on the insurers behalf, and contains the elements specified by the insurer in the contract.
(B) The effective date of the surrender of a contract may be up to 45 days after the request for surrender is received if it is permitted by the contract and requested by the contract owner.
(2) The insurer may require the request for surrender to be in writing.
(3) The elements the insurer may require as part of the request for surrender are limited to the following:
(A) A statement that makes it clear that the contract owner intends to surrender, in whole or in part, the contract in question.
(B) The contract or certificate number of the contract to be surrendered.
(C) The name of the contract owner on the contract to be surrendered.
(D) The signature of the owner of the contract and if required by the contract or by a legally binding document that the insurer has actual notice of, the signature of a collateral assignee, irrevocable beneficiary, or other person having an interest in the contract through the legally binding document.
(E) Either the contract itself, or, in lieu of the contract, a statement that the contract has been lost or destroyed.
(c) When the contract owner requests information about surrendering a contract from the insurer or servicing agent, the insurer or servicing agent shall provide, as expeditiously as possible, a written notice setting forth either the requirements of this section or the insurers requirements.
(d) A contract subject to this section shall do either of the following:
(1) Include language, which may be included by endorsement, setting forth either the requirements for surrender described in this section or the insurers requirements for surrender.
(2) Be accompanied by a notice setting forth the elements required to surrender the contract pursuant to this section or the insurers requirements.
(e) (1) For a written request and for purposes of this section, received means the first day that the written notice is delivered to the address of the insurer or servicing agent authorized by the insurer in writing to receive requests for surrender on the insurers behalf.
(2) (A) An insurer or servicing agent shall maintain a procedure for ensuring that requests for surrender are logged or stamped on the date received and not on a later date due to the insurers or servicing agents internal routing or delivery procedures.
(B) If the procedure required pursuant to subparagraph (A) is not maintained, it shall be conclusively presumed that a request was received on the earliest of the following:
(i) The delivery date shown on an express, certified, or registered mail receipt form of the United States Postal Service or by a commercial carrier.
(ii) Two business days after the request was postmarked by the United States Postal Service.
(iii) One business day before the date stamped received by the insurer or servicing agent.
(C) For purposes of this paragraph, business day has the meaning set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 1215.
(D) Postmarks generated by postage meters not located at an office of the United States Postal Service are to be disregarded.
(f) (1) This section does not alter a contractual provision governing calculation of cash or surrender or other values, unless that contractual provision applies a valuation date other than the effective date of surrender described in subdivision (b) to the calculation of cash or surrender or other values.
(2) The effective date established by subdivision (b) is intended to establish a date certain on which a contract owner may rely in determining when the 45-day period specified in subdivision (a) begins to run and a date certain for the insurer to use for the valuation of the contract.
(3) An insurer may request information in addition to that listed in subdivision (b). An insurers request for additional information does not delay an effective date established by a contract owners compliance with subdivision (b).
(g) For purposes of this section, contract owner shall also mean certificate owner when the surrender is under a group annuity contract subject to this article.