(a) Except as set forth in this section and in Sections 10271.1, 10292, and 10295 to 10295.19, inclusive, this chapter does not apply to, or in any way affect, provisions in life insurance, endowment, or annuity contracts, or contracts supplemental thereto, that provide additional benefits in case of death or dismemberment or loss of sight by accident, or that operate to safeguard those contracts against lapse, as described in subdivision (a) of Section 10271.1, or give a special surrender benefit, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 10271.1, a terminal illness benefit, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 10271.1, or an accelerated death benefit, as defined in Article 2.1 (commencing with Section 10295), in the event that the owner, insured, or annuitant, as applicable, meets the benefit triggers specified in the life insurance or annuity contract or supplemental contract.

(b) For the purposes of this section, “supplemental benefit” means a rider to or provision in a life insurance policy, certificate, or annuity contract that provides a benefit as set forth in subdivision (a).

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(c) A supplemental benefit described in subdivision (a) shall contain all of the following provisions. However, an insurer, at its option, may substitute for one or more of the provisions a corresponding provision of different wording approved by the commissioner that is not less favorable in any respect to the owner, insured, or annuitant, as applicable. The required provisions shall be preceded individually by the appropriate caption, or, at the option of the insurer, by the appropriate individual or group captions or subcaptions as the commissioner may approve.

(1) A life insurance policy or annuity contract that contains a supplemental benefit shall provide that the contract, supplemental contract, and papers attached thereto by the insurer, including the application if attached, constitute the entire insurance or annuity contract and shall also provide that an agent does not have the authority to change the contract or to waive its provisions. This provision shall be preceded individually by a caption stating “ENTIRE CONTRACT; CHANGES:” or other appropriate caption as the commissioner may approve.

(2) The supplemental benefit shall provide that reinstatement of the supplemental benefit shall be on the same or more favorable terms as reinstatement of the underlying life insurance policy or annuity contract. Following reinstatement, the insured and insurer shall have the same rights under reinstatement as they had under the supplemental benefit immediately before the due date of the defaulted premium, subject to the provisions endorsed in the rider or endorsement or attached to the rider or endorsement in connection with the reinstatement. This reinstatement provision shall be preceded individually by a caption stating “REINSTATEMENT:” or other appropriate caption as the commissioner may approve.

(3) A supplemental benefit subject to underwriting shall include an incontestability statement that provides that the insurer shall not contest the supplemental benefit after it has been in force during the lifetime of the insured for two years from its date of issue, and that the supplemental benefit may only be contested based on a statement made in the application for the supplemental benefit, if the statement is attached to the contract and if the statement was material to the risk accepted or the hazard assumed by the insurer. This provision shall be preceded individually by a caption stating “INCONTESTABILITY:” or other appropriate caption as the commissioner may approve.

(4) A supplemental benefit shall contain the provision in subparagraph (A), except that an accelerated death benefit as defined in Article 2.1 (commencing with Section 10295) shall contain the provision in subparagraph (B).

(A) The supplemental benefit shall provide either that the insurer may accept written notice of claim at any time or that the insurer may require that written notice of claim be submitted by a due date that is no less than 20 days after an occurrence covered by the supplemental benefit, or commencement of a loss covered by the supplemental benefit, or as soon after the due date as is reasonably possible. Notice given by or on behalf of the insured or the beneficiary, as applicable, to the insurer at the insurer’s address or telephone number, or to an authorized agent of the insurer, with information sufficient to identify the insured, shall be deemed notice to the insurer. This provision shall be preceded individually by a caption stating “NOTICE OF CLAIM:” or other appropriate caption as the commissioner may approve.

(B) The accelerated death benefit shall provide either that the insured may give notice of claim at any time or that the insured shall give notice of claim by a due date that is at least 20 days after the insured receives documentation that establishes the occurrence of a qualifying event, or as soon after the due date as is reasonably possible. Notice given by or on behalf of the insured or the beneficiary, as applicable, to the insurer at the insurer’s address or telephone number, or to an authorized agent of the insurer, with information sufficient to identify the insured, shall be deemed notice to the insurer. This provision shall be preceded individually by a caption stating “NOTICE OF CLAIM:” or other appropriate caption as the commissioner may approve.

(5) A supplemental benefit shall contain the provision in subparagraph (A), except that an accelerated death benefit as defined in Article 2.1 (commencing with Section 10295) shall contain the provision in subparagraph (B).

(A) The supplemental benefit shall provide that the insurer, upon receipt of a notice of claim, shall furnish to the claimant those forms as are usually furnished by it for filing a proof of occurrence or a proof of loss. If the forms are not furnished within 15 days after giving notice, the claimant shall be deemed to have complied with the requirements of the supplemental benefit as to proof of occurrence or proof of loss upon submitting, within the time fixed by the supplemental benefit for filing proof of occurrence or proof of loss, written proof covering the character and the extent of the occurrence or loss. This provision shall be preceded individually by a caption stating “CLAIM FORMS:” or other appropriate caption as the commissioner may approve.

(B) The accelerated death benefit shall provide that the insurer, upon receipt of a notice of claim, shall furnish to the claimant any forms required for filing proof of loss. If the forms are not furnished within 15 days after notice of claim is given to the insurer, the claimant shall be deemed to have provided proof of loss upon sending, within the time fixed by the supplemental benefit for filing proof of loss, documentation that establishes the occurrence of a qualifying event. This provision shall be preceded individually by a caption stating “CLAIM FORMS:” or other appropriate caption as the commissioner may approve.

(6) A supplemental benefit shall contain the provision in subparagraph (A), except that an accelerated death benefit as defined in Article 2.1 (commencing with Section 10295) shall contain the provision in subparagraph (B).

(A) The supplemental benefit shall provide that the insurer may require, in the case of a claim for which the supplemental benefit provides a periodic payment contingent upon continuing occurrence or loss, that the insured provide written proof of occurrence or proof of loss no less than 90 days after the termination of the period for which the insurer is liable, and, in the case of claim for any other occurrence or loss, that the insured provide written proof of occurrence or proof of loss within 90 days after the date of the occurrence or loss. Failure to furnish proof within the time required shall not invalidate or reduce the claim if it was not reasonably possible to give proof within the time, provided proof is furnished as soon as reasonably possible and, except in the absence of legal capacity, no later than one year from the time proof is otherwise required. This provision shall be preceded individually by a caption stating “PROOF OF LOSS:” or other appropriate caption as the commissioner may approve.

(B) The accelerated death benefit shall provide that the insured shall send completed claim forms and documentation that establishes the occurrence of a qualifying event within 90 days of receiving that documentation. Failure to send proof within the time required shall not invalidate or reduce the claim as long as proof is sent as soon as reasonably possible and, except in the absence of legal capacity, no later than one year from the time proof is otherwise required. This provision shall be preceded individually by a caption stating “PROOF OF LOSS:” or other appropriate caption as the commissioner may approve.

(7) The supplemental benefit shall provide that the insurer, at its own expense, shall have the right and opportunity to examine the person of the insured when and as often as the insurer may reasonably require during the pendency of a claim and to make an autopsy in case of death where it is not forbidden by law. This provision shall be preceded individually by a caption stating “PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS:” or other appropriate caption as the commissioner may approve.

(d) The commissioner shall not approve a contract or supplemental contract for issuance or delivery in this state if the commissioner finds that the contract or supplemental contract does any of the following:

(1) Contains a provision, label, description of its contents, title, heading, backing, or other indication of its provisions that is unintelligible, uncertain, ambiguous, or abstruse, or likely to mislead a person to whom the supplemental benefit is offered, delivered, or issued.

(2) Constitutes fraud, unfair trade practices, or insurance economically unsound to the owner, insured, or annuitant, as applicable.

(3) Contains actuarial information that is materially incomplete, incorrect, or inadequate.

(e) A supplemental benefit described in subdivision (a) shall not contain a title, description, or any other indication that would describe or imply that the supplemental benefit provides long-term care coverage.

(f) Commencing two years from the date of the issuance of the supplemental benefit, no claim for loss incurred or disability, as defined by the supplemental benefit, may be reduced or denied on the grounds that a disease or physical condition not excluded from coverage by name or specific description effective on the date of loss had existed before the effective date on the coverage of the supplemental benefit.

(g) With regard to supplemental benefits set forth in subdivision (a), the supplemental benefit shall specify any applicable exclusions, which shall be limited to the following:

(1) Condition or loss caused or substantially contributed to by any attempt at suicide or intentionally self-inflicted injury, while sane or insane.

(2) Condition or loss caused or substantially contributed to by war or an act of war, as defined in the exclusion provisions of the contract.

(3) Condition or loss caused or substantially contributed to by active participation in a riot, insurrection, or terrorist activity.

(4) Condition or loss caused or substantially contributed to by committing or attempting to commit a felony.

(5) Condition or loss caused or substantially contributed to by voluntary intake of either:

(A) A drug, unless prescribed or administered by a physician and taken in accordance with the physician’s instructions.

(B) Poison, gas, or fumes, unless they are the direct result of an occupational accident.

(6) Condition or loss in consequence of the insured being intoxicated, as defined by the jurisdiction where the condition or loss occurred.

(7) Condition or loss caused or substantially contributed to by engaging in an illegal occupation.

(8) Condition or loss caused or substantially contributed to by engaging in aviation, other than as a fare-paying passenger.

(h) If the commissioner notifies the insurer, in writing, that the filed form or actuarial information does not comply with the law and specifies the reasons for the commissioner’s opinion, it is unlawful for an insurer to issue a policy in that form.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 627, Sec. 13. (AB 1511) Effective January 1, 2022.)