California 2021-2022 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill AB1563 Compare Versions

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11 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1563Introduced by Committee on InsuranceMarch 01, 2021 An act to amend Section 10509.959 of the Insurance Code, relating to insurance. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1563, as introduced, Committee on Insurance. Life insurance policy illustrations.Existing law creates the Department of Insurance, headed by the Insurance Commissioner, and generally regulates the business of insurance in the state, including the regulation of life insurance policy illustrations, as defined. For a policy designated as one for which illustrations will be used, existing law requires an insurer to provide each policy owner with an annual report on the status of the policy along with prescribed information, including the current dividend, as applicable. If the annual report does not include an in force illustration, existing law requires that report to contain a prominently displayed notice that informs the insured they may annually request, without charge, an illustration by various means, including calling or writing to the insurer.For an annual report that does not include an in force illustration, this bill would additionally provide that the notice inform the insured they may submit their request by accessing the insurers internet website address.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 10509.959 of the Insurance Code is amended to read:10509.959. (a) In the case of a policy designated as one for which illustrations will be used, the insurer shall provide each policy owner with an annual report on the status of the policy that shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:(1) For universal life policies, the report shall include the following:(A) The beginning and end date of the current report period.(B) The policy value at the end of the previous report period and at the end of the current report period.(C) The total amounts that have been credited or debited to the policy value during the current report period, identifying each by type, including, but not limited to, interest, mortality, expense expense, and riders.(D) The current death benefit at the end of the current report period on each life covered by the policy.(E) The net cash surrender value of the policy as of the end of the current report period.(F) The amount of outstanding loans, if any, as of the end of the current report period.(G) For fixed premium policies:If, assuming guaranteed interest, mortality and expense loads and continued scheduled premium payments, the policys net cash surrender value is such that it would not maintain insurance in force until the end of the next reporting period, a notice to this effect shall be included in the report.(H) For flexible premium policies:If, assuming guaranteed interest, mortality and expense loads, the policys net cash surrender value will not maintain insurance in force until the end of the next reporting period unless further premium payments are made, a notice to this effect shall be included in the report.(2) For all other policies, the report shall include the following, where as applicable:(A) Current death benefit.(B) Annual contract premium.(C) Current cash surrender value.(D) Current dividend.(E) Application of current dividend.(F) Amount of outstanding loan.(3) Insurers writing life insurance policies that do not build nonforfeiture values shall only be required to provide an annual report with respect to these policies for those years when a change has been made to nonguaranteed policy elements by the insurer.(b) If the annual report does not include an in force illustration, it shall contain the following notice displayed prominently: IMPORTANT POLICY OWNER NOTICE: You should consider requesting more detailed information about your policy to understand how it may perform in the future. You should not consider replacement of your policy or make changes in your coverage without requesting a current illustration. You may annually request, without charge, such an illustration by calling [insurers phone number], writing to [insurers address] address], accessing [insurers internet website address], or contacting your agent. If you do not receive a current illustration of your policy within thirty days from your request, you should contact your state insurance department. The insurer may vary the sequential order of the methods for obtaining an in force illustration.(c) Upon the request of the policy owner, the insurer shall furnish an in force illustration of current and future benefits and values based on the insurers present illustrated scale. This illustration shall comply with the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 10509.955 and subdivisions (a) and (e) of Section 10509.956. No A signature or any other acknowledgment of receipt of this illustration shall not be required.(d) If an adverse change in nonguaranteed elements that could affect the policy has been made by the insurer since the last annual report, the annual report shall contain a notice of that fact and the nature of the change prominently displayed.
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33 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1563Introduced by Committee on InsuranceMarch 01, 2021 An act to amend Section 10509.959 of the Insurance Code, relating to insurance. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1563, as introduced, Committee on Insurance. Life insurance policy illustrations.Existing law creates the Department of Insurance, headed by the Insurance Commissioner, and generally regulates the business of insurance in the state, including the regulation of life insurance policy illustrations, as defined. For a policy designated as one for which illustrations will be used, existing law requires an insurer to provide each policy owner with an annual report on the status of the policy along with prescribed information, including the current dividend, as applicable. If the annual report does not include an in force illustration, existing law requires that report to contain a prominently displayed notice that informs the insured they may annually request, without charge, an illustration by various means, including calling or writing to the insurer.For an annual report that does not include an in force illustration, this bill would additionally provide that the notice inform the insured they may submit their request by accessing the insurers internet website address.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO
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99 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION
1010
1111 Assembly Bill
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1313 No. 1563
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1515 Introduced by Committee on InsuranceMarch 01, 2021
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1717 Introduced by Committee on Insurance
1818 March 01, 2021
1919
2020 An act to amend Section 10509.959 of the Insurance Code, relating to insurance.
2121
2222 LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
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2424 ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
2525
2626 AB 1563, as introduced, Committee on Insurance. Life insurance policy illustrations.
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2828 Existing law creates the Department of Insurance, headed by the Insurance Commissioner, and generally regulates the business of insurance in the state, including the regulation of life insurance policy illustrations, as defined. For a policy designated as one for which illustrations will be used, existing law requires an insurer to provide each policy owner with an annual report on the status of the policy along with prescribed information, including the current dividend, as applicable. If the annual report does not include an in force illustration, existing law requires that report to contain a prominently displayed notice that informs the insured they may annually request, without charge, an illustration by various means, including calling or writing to the insurer.For an annual report that does not include an in force illustration, this bill would additionally provide that the notice inform the insured they may submit their request by accessing the insurers internet website address.
2929
3030 Existing law creates the Department of Insurance, headed by the Insurance Commissioner, and generally regulates the business of insurance in the state, including the regulation of life insurance policy illustrations, as defined. For a policy designated as one for which illustrations will be used, existing law requires an insurer to provide each policy owner with an annual report on the status of the policy along with prescribed information, including the current dividend, as applicable. If the annual report does not include an in force illustration, existing law requires that report to contain a prominently displayed notice that informs the insured they may annually request, without charge, an illustration by various means, including calling or writing to the insurer.
3131
3232 For an annual report that does not include an in force illustration, this bill would additionally provide that the notice inform the insured they may submit their request by accessing the insurers internet website address.
3333
3434 ## Digest Key
3535
3636 ## Bill Text
3737
3838 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 10509.959 of the Insurance Code is amended to read:10509.959. (a) In the case of a policy designated as one for which illustrations will be used, the insurer shall provide each policy owner with an annual report on the status of the policy that shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:(1) For universal life policies, the report shall include the following:(A) The beginning and end date of the current report period.(B) The policy value at the end of the previous report period and at the end of the current report period.(C) The total amounts that have been credited or debited to the policy value during the current report period, identifying each by type, including, but not limited to, interest, mortality, expense expense, and riders.(D) The current death benefit at the end of the current report period on each life covered by the policy.(E) The net cash surrender value of the policy as of the end of the current report period.(F) The amount of outstanding loans, if any, as of the end of the current report period.(G) For fixed premium policies:If, assuming guaranteed interest, mortality and expense loads and continued scheduled premium payments, the policys net cash surrender value is such that it would not maintain insurance in force until the end of the next reporting period, a notice to this effect shall be included in the report.(H) For flexible premium policies:If, assuming guaranteed interest, mortality and expense loads, the policys net cash surrender value will not maintain insurance in force until the end of the next reporting period unless further premium payments are made, a notice to this effect shall be included in the report.(2) For all other policies, the report shall include the following, where as applicable:(A) Current death benefit.(B) Annual contract premium.(C) Current cash surrender value.(D) Current dividend.(E) Application of current dividend.(F) Amount of outstanding loan.(3) Insurers writing life insurance policies that do not build nonforfeiture values shall only be required to provide an annual report with respect to these policies for those years when a change has been made to nonguaranteed policy elements by the insurer.(b) If the annual report does not include an in force illustration, it shall contain the following notice displayed prominently: IMPORTANT POLICY OWNER NOTICE: You should consider requesting more detailed information about your policy to understand how it may perform in the future. You should not consider replacement of your policy or make changes in your coverage without requesting a current illustration. You may annually request, without charge, such an illustration by calling [insurers phone number], writing to [insurers address] address], accessing [insurers internet website address], or contacting your agent. If you do not receive a current illustration of your policy within thirty days from your request, you should contact your state insurance department. The insurer may vary the sequential order of the methods for obtaining an in force illustration.(c) Upon the request of the policy owner, the insurer shall furnish an in force illustration of current and future benefits and values based on the insurers present illustrated scale. This illustration shall comply with the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 10509.955 and subdivisions (a) and (e) of Section 10509.956. No A signature or any other acknowledgment of receipt of this illustration shall not be required.(d) If an adverse change in nonguaranteed elements that could affect the policy has been made by the insurer since the last annual report, the annual report shall contain a notice of that fact and the nature of the change prominently displayed.
3939
4040 The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
4141
4242 ## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
4343
4444 SECTION 1. Section 10509.959 of the Insurance Code is amended to read:10509.959. (a) In the case of a policy designated as one for which illustrations will be used, the insurer shall provide each policy owner with an annual report on the status of the policy that shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:(1) For universal life policies, the report shall include the following:(A) The beginning and end date of the current report period.(B) The policy value at the end of the previous report period and at the end of the current report period.(C) The total amounts that have been credited or debited to the policy value during the current report period, identifying each by type, including, but not limited to, interest, mortality, expense expense, and riders.(D) The current death benefit at the end of the current report period on each life covered by the policy.(E) The net cash surrender value of the policy as of the end of the current report period.(F) The amount of outstanding loans, if any, as of the end of the current report period.(G) For fixed premium policies:If, assuming guaranteed interest, mortality and expense loads and continued scheduled premium payments, the policys net cash surrender value is such that it would not maintain insurance in force until the end of the next reporting period, a notice to this effect shall be included in the report.(H) For flexible premium policies:If, assuming guaranteed interest, mortality and expense loads, the policys net cash surrender value will not maintain insurance in force until the end of the next reporting period unless further premium payments are made, a notice to this effect shall be included in the report.(2) For all other policies, the report shall include the following, where as applicable:(A) Current death benefit.(B) Annual contract premium.(C) Current cash surrender value.(D) Current dividend.(E) Application of current dividend.(F) Amount of outstanding loan.(3) Insurers writing life insurance policies that do not build nonforfeiture values shall only be required to provide an annual report with respect to these policies for those years when a change has been made to nonguaranteed policy elements by the insurer.(b) If the annual report does not include an in force illustration, it shall contain the following notice displayed prominently: IMPORTANT POLICY OWNER NOTICE: You should consider requesting more detailed information about your policy to understand how it may perform in the future. You should not consider replacement of your policy or make changes in your coverage without requesting a current illustration. You may annually request, without charge, such an illustration by calling [insurers phone number], writing to [insurers address] address], accessing [insurers internet website address], or contacting your agent. If you do not receive a current illustration of your policy within thirty days from your request, you should contact your state insurance department. The insurer may vary the sequential order of the methods for obtaining an in force illustration.(c) Upon the request of the policy owner, the insurer shall furnish an in force illustration of current and future benefits and values based on the insurers present illustrated scale. This illustration shall comply with the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 10509.955 and subdivisions (a) and (e) of Section 10509.956. No A signature or any other acknowledgment of receipt of this illustration shall not be required.(d) If an adverse change in nonguaranteed elements that could affect the policy has been made by the insurer since the last annual report, the annual report shall contain a notice of that fact and the nature of the change prominently displayed.
4545
4646 SECTION 1. Section 10509.959 of the Insurance Code is amended to read:
4747
4848 ### SECTION 1.
4949
5050 10509.959. (a) In the case of a policy designated as one for which illustrations will be used, the insurer shall provide each policy owner with an annual report on the status of the policy that shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:(1) For universal life policies, the report shall include the following:(A) The beginning and end date of the current report period.(B) The policy value at the end of the previous report period and at the end of the current report period.(C) The total amounts that have been credited or debited to the policy value during the current report period, identifying each by type, including, but not limited to, interest, mortality, expense expense, and riders.(D) The current death benefit at the end of the current report period on each life covered by the policy.(E) The net cash surrender value of the policy as of the end of the current report period.(F) The amount of outstanding loans, if any, as of the end of the current report period.(G) For fixed premium policies:If, assuming guaranteed interest, mortality and expense loads and continued scheduled premium payments, the policys net cash surrender value is such that it would not maintain insurance in force until the end of the next reporting period, a notice to this effect shall be included in the report.(H) For flexible premium policies:If, assuming guaranteed interest, mortality and expense loads, the policys net cash surrender value will not maintain insurance in force until the end of the next reporting period unless further premium payments are made, a notice to this effect shall be included in the report.(2) For all other policies, the report shall include the following, where as applicable:(A) Current death benefit.(B) Annual contract premium.(C) Current cash surrender value.(D) Current dividend.(E) Application of current dividend.(F) Amount of outstanding loan.(3) Insurers writing life insurance policies that do not build nonforfeiture values shall only be required to provide an annual report with respect to these policies for those years when a change has been made to nonguaranteed policy elements by the insurer.(b) If the annual report does not include an in force illustration, it shall contain the following notice displayed prominently: IMPORTANT POLICY OWNER NOTICE: You should consider requesting more detailed information about your policy to understand how it may perform in the future. You should not consider replacement of your policy or make changes in your coverage without requesting a current illustration. You may annually request, without charge, such an illustration by calling [insurers phone number], writing to [insurers address] address], accessing [insurers internet website address], or contacting your agent. If you do not receive a current illustration of your policy within thirty days from your request, you should contact your state insurance department. The insurer may vary the sequential order of the methods for obtaining an in force illustration.(c) Upon the request of the policy owner, the insurer shall furnish an in force illustration of current and future benefits and values based on the insurers present illustrated scale. This illustration shall comply with the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 10509.955 and subdivisions (a) and (e) of Section 10509.956. No A signature or any other acknowledgment of receipt of this illustration shall not be required.(d) If an adverse change in nonguaranteed elements that could affect the policy has been made by the insurer since the last annual report, the annual report shall contain a notice of that fact and the nature of the change prominently displayed.
5151
5252 10509.959. (a) In the case of a policy designated as one for which illustrations will be used, the insurer shall provide each policy owner with an annual report on the status of the policy that shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:(1) For universal life policies, the report shall include the following:(A) The beginning and end date of the current report period.(B) The policy value at the end of the previous report period and at the end of the current report period.(C) The total amounts that have been credited or debited to the policy value during the current report period, identifying each by type, including, but not limited to, interest, mortality, expense expense, and riders.(D) The current death benefit at the end of the current report period on each life covered by the policy.(E) The net cash surrender value of the policy as of the end of the current report period.(F) The amount of outstanding loans, if any, as of the end of the current report period.(G) For fixed premium policies:If, assuming guaranteed interest, mortality and expense loads and continued scheduled premium payments, the policys net cash surrender value is such that it would not maintain insurance in force until the end of the next reporting period, a notice to this effect shall be included in the report.(H) For flexible premium policies:If, assuming guaranteed interest, mortality and expense loads, the policys net cash surrender value will not maintain insurance in force until the end of the next reporting period unless further premium payments are made, a notice to this effect shall be included in the report.(2) For all other policies, the report shall include the following, where as applicable:(A) Current death benefit.(B) Annual contract premium.(C) Current cash surrender value.(D) Current dividend.(E) Application of current dividend.(F) Amount of outstanding loan.(3) Insurers writing life insurance policies that do not build nonforfeiture values shall only be required to provide an annual report with respect to these policies for those years when a change has been made to nonguaranteed policy elements by the insurer.(b) If the annual report does not include an in force illustration, it shall contain the following notice displayed prominently: IMPORTANT POLICY OWNER NOTICE: You should consider requesting more detailed information about your policy to understand how it may perform in the future. You should not consider replacement of your policy or make changes in your coverage without requesting a current illustration. You may annually request, without charge, such an illustration by calling [insurers phone number], writing to [insurers address] address], accessing [insurers internet website address], or contacting your agent. If you do not receive a current illustration of your policy within thirty days from your request, you should contact your state insurance department. The insurer may vary the sequential order of the methods for obtaining an in force illustration.(c) Upon the request of the policy owner, the insurer shall furnish an in force illustration of current and future benefits and values based on the insurers present illustrated scale. This illustration shall comply with the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 10509.955 and subdivisions (a) and (e) of Section 10509.956. No A signature or any other acknowledgment of receipt of this illustration shall not be required.(d) If an adverse change in nonguaranteed elements that could affect the policy has been made by the insurer since the last annual report, the annual report shall contain a notice of that fact and the nature of the change prominently displayed.
5353
5454 10509.959. (a) In the case of a policy designated as one for which illustrations will be used, the insurer shall provide each policy owner with an annual report on the status of the policy that shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:(1) For universal life policies, the report shall include the following:(A) The beginning and end date of the current report period.(B) The policy value at the end of the previous report period and at the end of the current report period.(C) The total amounts that have been credited or debited to the policy value during the current report period, identifying each by type, including, but not limited to, interest, mortality, expense expense, and riders.(D) The current death benefit at the end of the current report period on each life covered by the policy.(E) The net cash surrender value of the policy as of the end of the current report period.(F) The amount of outstanding loans, if any, as of the end of the current report period.(G) For fixed premium policies:If, assuming guaranteed interest, mortality and expense loads and continued scheduled premium payments, the policys net cash surrender value is such that it would not maintain insurance in force until the end of the next reporting period, a notice to this effect shall be included in the report.(H) For flexible premium policies:If, assuming guaranteed interest, mortality and expense loads, the policys net cash surrender value will not maintain insurance in force until the end of the next reporting period unless further premium payments are made, a notice to this effect shall be included in the report.(2) For all other policies, the report shall include the following, where as applicable:(A) Current death benefit.(B) Annual contract premium.(C) Current cash surrender value.(D) Current dividend.(E) Application of current dividend.(F) Amount of outstanding loan.(3) Insurers writing life insurance policies that do not build nonforfeiture values shall only be required to provide an annual report with respect to these policies for those years when a change has been made to nonguaranteed policy elements by the insurer.(b) If the annual report does not include an in force illustration, it shall contain the following notice displayed prominently: IMPORTANT POLICY OWNER NOTICE: You should consider requesting more detailed information about your policy to understand how it may perform in the future. You should not consider replacement of your policy or make changes in your coverage without requesting a current illustration. You may annually request, without charge, such an illustration by calling [insurers phone number], writing to [insurers address] address], accessing [insurers internet website address], or contacting your agent. If you do not receive a current illustration of your policy within thirty days from your request, you should contact your state insurance department. The insurer may vary the sequential order of the methods for obtaining an in force illustration.(c) Upon the request of the policy owner, the insurer shall furnish an in force illustration of current and future benefits and values based on the insurers present illustrated scale. This illustration shall comply with the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 10509.955 and subdivisions (a) and (e) of Section 10509.956. No A signature or any other acknowledgment of receipt of this illustration shall not be required.(d) If an adverse change in nonguaranteed elements that could affect the policy has been made by the insurer since the last annual report, the annual report shall contain a notice of that fact and the nature of the change prominently displayed.
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5656
5757
5858 10509.959. (a) In the case of a policy designated as one for which illustrations will be used, the insurer shall provide each policy owner with an annual report on the status of the policy that shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:
5959
6060 (1) For universal life policies, the report shall include the following:
6161
6262 (A) The beginning and end date of the current report period.
6363
6464 (B) The policy value at the end of the previous report period and at the end of the current report period.
6565
6666 (C) The total amounts that have been credited or debited to the policy value during the current report period, identifying each by type, including, but not limited to, interest, mortality, expense expense, and riders.
6767
6868 (D) The current death benefit at the end of the current report period on each life covered by the policy.
6969
7070 (E) The net cash surrender value of the policy as of the end of the current report period.
7171
7272 (F) The amount of outstanding loans, if any, as of the end of the current report period.
7373
7474 (G) For fixed premium policies:
7575
7676 If, assuming guaranteed interest, mortality and expense loads and continued scheduled premium payments, the policys net cash surrender value is such that it would not maintain insurance in force until the end of the next reporting period, a notice to this effect shall be included in the report.
7777
7878 (H) For flexible premium policies:
7979
8080 If, assuming guaranteed interest, mortality and expense loads, the policys net cash surrender value will not maintain insurance in force until the end of the next reporting period unless further premium payments are made, a notice to this effect shall be included in the report.
8181
8282 (2) For all other policies, the report shall include the following, where as applicable:
8383
8484 (A) Current death benefit.
8585
8686 (B) Annual contract premium.
8787
8888 (C) Current cash surrender value.
8989
9090 (D) Current dividend.
9191
9292 (E) Application of current dividend.
9393
9494 (F) Amount of outstanding loan.
9595
9696 (3) Insurers writing life insurance policies that do not build nonforfeiture values shall only be required to provide an annual report with respect to these policies for those years when a change has been made to nonguaranteed policy elements by the insurer.
9797
9898 (b) If the annual report does not include an in force illustration, it shall contain the following notice displayed prominently: IMPORTANT POLICY OWNER NOTICE: You should consider requesting more detailed information about your policy to understand how it may perform in the future. You should not consider replacement of your policy or make changes in your coverage without requesting a current illustration. You may annually request, without charge, such an illustration by calling [insurers phone number], writing to [insurers address] address], accessing [insurers internet website address], or contacting your agent. If you do not receive a current illustration of your policy within thirty days from your request, you should contact your state insurance department. The insurer may vary the sequential order of the methods for obtaining an in force illustration.
9999
100100 (c) Upon the request of the policy owner, the insurer shall furnish an in force illustration of current and future benefits and values based on the insurers present illustrated scale. This illustration shall comply with the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 10509.955 and subdivisions (a) and (e) of Section 10509.956. No A signature or any other acknowledgment of receipt of this illustration shall not be required.
101101
102102 (d) If an adverse change in nonguaranteed elements that could affect the policy has been made by the insurer since the last annual report, the annual report shall contain a notice of that fact and the nature of the change prominently displayed.