SB 2112

Abstract

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a contract for life insurance covering a natural person 64 years of age or older that has been in force for at least one year may not be lapsed for nonpayment of premium unless the insurer has mailed a notification of the impending lapse in coverage to the policyowner and to a specified secondary addressee if such addressee has been designated in writing by name and address by the policyowner. Provides that an insurer issuing a life insurance contract on or after January 1, 2022 shall notify the applicant of the right to designate a secondary addressee at the time of application for the policy, on a form provided by the insurer and at any time the policy is in force, by submitting a written notice to the insurer containing the name and address of the secondary addressee. Provides that the notice of impending lapse in coverage must be mailed to the policyowner and the secondary addressee at least 21 days before the expiration of the grace period provided in the policy in specified circumstances. Provides that the secondary notice requirement does not apply to any life insurance contract under which premiums are payable monthly or more frequently and are regularly collected by a licensed agent or are paid by credit card or any preauthorized check processing or automatic debit service of a financial institution. Provides that if the policyowner has a life agent of record or any agent of record, the insurer must also notify the agent of the impending lapse in coverage at least 21 days before the effective date of the lapse. Provides that an insurer is not required to notify the agent in specified circumstances. Effective January 1, 2022. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 215 ILCS 5/143.17b new Adds reference to: 215 ILCS 5/235.1 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a life company issuing an individual life insurance contract on or after January 1, 2022 shall notify an applicant, in writing on a form prescribed by the company at the time of application for the policy, of the applicant's right to designate a secondary addressee to receive notice of cancellation of the policy based on nonpayment of premium. Provides that the applicant may make the secondary addressee designation at the time of application for such policy or at any time such policy is in force by submitting a written notice to the insurer containing the name and address of the secondary addressee. Provides that an insurer's transmission to a secondary addressee of a copy of a notice of cancellation based on nonpayment of premium shall be in addition to the transmission of the original document to the policyholder, and that the copy of the notice of cancellation transmitted to the secondary addressee shall be made in the same manner and form required for the transmission of the notice to the policyholder. Provides that the designation of a secondary addressee shall not constitute acceptance of any liability on the part of the secondary addressee or insurer for services provided to the policyholder. Provides that the secondary notice requirement does not apply to any individual life insurance contract under which premiums are payable monthly or more frequently and are regularly collected by a licensed agent or are paid by credit card or any preauthorized check processing or automatic debit service of a financial institution. Provides that nothing in the language shall prohibit an applicant or policyholder from designating a life insurance agent of record as his or her secondary addressee. Effective January 1, 2022.