Massachusetts General Laws ch. 176D sec. 1 – Definitions
Section 1. When used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings except as otherwise specifically provided:
Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws ch. 176D sec. 1
- Annuity: A periodic (usually annual) payment of a fixed sum of money for either the life of the recipient or for a fixed number of years. A series of payments under a contract from an insurance company, a trust company, or an individual. Annuity payments are made at regular intervals over a period of more than one full year.
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
(a) ”Person”, any individual, corporation, association, partnership, reciprocal exchange, inter-insurer, Lloyds insurer, fraternal benefit society, operators of any medical service plan and hospital service plan as defined in chapters 176B, 176C, 176E and 176F, carriers and health maintenance organizations as defined in chapter 176G, insurers and sponsors of a legal services plan as defined in chapter 176H, any other legal entity or self insurer which is engaged in the business of insurance, including agents, brokers, and adjusters, the Massachusetts Insurers Insolvency Fund and any joint underwriting association established pursuant to law. For purposes of this chapter, operators of any such medical and hospital service plans and carriers and such health maintenance organizations shall be engaged in the business of insurance.
(b) ”Commissioner”, the commissioner of insurance.
(c) ”Insurance policy” or ”insurance contract”, any contract or insurance, indemnity, medical or hospital service, dental or optometric, suretyship, or annuity issued, proposed for issuance or intended for issuance by any person.