State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > New-york > Isc > Article-32 > 3215

§  3215.  Disability  benefits  in  connection with life insurance and  annuities.  (a) No policy of life  insurance  or  contract  of  deferred  annuity,  which  provides  benefits  by  reason of the disability of the  insured, including waiver of premium, shall be delivered or  issued  for  delivery  in  this  state  unless it contains in substance the following  provisions or provisions which in the opinion of the superintendent  are  more favorable to policyholders:    (1)  That disability benefits be paid or allowed only in case of total  disability and defining total disability  in  either  of  the  following  forms:    (A)  Total  disability  is  incapacity  of the insured, resulting from  injury or disease, to engage  in  any  occupation  for  remuneration  or  profit.  Such  a  policy  shall  be  known  and  described  as  a "total  disability" policy or contract.    (B) Total disability,  shall  exist  whenever  the  insured's  average  monthly earned income for a period of four months next preceding has, as  a  result of the insured's injury or disease, not exceeded one-fourth of  his former earned income averaged monthly for a period  (next  preceding  said  four  months) which shall be prescribed in the policy and shall be  not less than twelve months.  Such a policy shall be known and described  as an "earned income disability" policy or contract.    (2) That disability benefits will be paid or allowed only in case such  total disability is also permanent as defined in either of the following  forms:    (A) If such policy  is  a  total  disability  policy,  as  defined  in  paragraph  one  hereof, a provision that total disability which has been  continuous for a period specified in the contract, and  which  shall  be  not  less than four months nor more than one year, shall be deemed to be  permanent  only  with  respect  to  determining  the   commencement   of  disability benefits.    (B)  If  such policy is an earned income disability policy, as defined  in paragraph one hereof, a provision  that  total  disability  shall  be  deemed to continue as long as the insured's earned monthly income shall,  as  a  result of injury or disease, not exceed one-fourth of his average  monthly earned  income  as  determined  at  the  commencement  of  total  disability.    (3)  That  written  notice of claim be given to the insurer during the  lifetime of the insured and  during  the  period  of  total  disability.  Failure  to give such notice shall not invalidate or reduce any claim if  it shall be shown not to have been  reasonably  possible  to  give  such  notice and that notice was given as soon as was reasonably possible.    (4)  That  there be reasonable requirements as to the time, method and  form of proof of disability and as to  the  continuance  of  disability,  including  an  examination  of  the insured by the insurer at reasonable  intervals. Failure to  furnish  proof  of  disability  within  the  time  required  shall  not  invalidate  or  reduce  any  claim  if  it was not  reasonably possible to give proof within such time, provided such  proof  is  furnished  as soon as reasonably possible and in no event, except in  the absence of legal capacity, later than one year from the  time  proof  is otherwise required.    (5)  That  the contract of disability insurance shall be incontestable  after it shall have been in force, during the lifetime  of  the  insured  and  without  the  occurrence  of total disability of the insured, for a  period of three years from date  of  issue,  except  for  nonpayment  of  premiums  and  except  for  the  conditions  of the contract relating to  military or naval service.(b) Any provision in such policy or  contract  that  total  disability  resulting  from  any  specified  cause  shall be excluded from coverage,  shall contain only the following exclusions:    (1)  (A)  a provision terminating disability coverage when the insured  becomes a member of the military, naval or air forces of any country  at  war, declared or undeclared; or    (B)  a  provision  terminating  disability  coverage  when the insured  becomes a member of any auxiliary or civilian non-combatant unit serving  with the military, naval or air forces of any country at  war,  declared  or undeclared; or    (C)  a  provision excluding from coverage disability commencing within  five years from the date of issue of the policy as a result of an act of  war or any act  incident  thereto,  whether  such  war  be  declared  or  undeclared,  provided  such act takes place while the insured is outside  the geographical limits specified in the policy.    (2) A provision excluding from the coverage disability resulting  from  aviation under conditions specified in the policy.    (3)  A  provision  excluding  from  the  coverage  disability directly  resulting from injuries wilfully and intentionally self-inflicted.    (c) No policy or contract shall contain any  provision  set  forth  in  this subsection, unless it conforms substantially to the following:    (1)  Any  provision  excluding  from the coverage disability resulting  from disease or injury occurring before the date of issue of the  policy  or  contract,  except  provisions excluding from the coverage a specific  disease or injury by name or description, shall be  applicable  only  to  such disability commencing not later than two years after date of issue.    (2)  A  provision  for  a  reasonable  adjustment of income disability  benefits if the aggregate monthly amount of such benefits payable to the  insured,  under  all  contracts  of  insurance,  exceeds   a   specified  percentage  not  to  exceed  one  hundred percent of the average monthly  earned income of the insured as may be  ascertained  in  any  reasonable  manner.    (d)  No  such  policy  shall  provide  that  the  face  amount of life  insurance shall be reduced because  of  any  disability  benefits  paid,  except  that  such  policy  may  provide, in lieu of income payments, an  annuity certain for a period of not more than ten years,  the  value  of  which  at  its inception shall be equal to the face amount of insurance,  with the provision that upon recovery such annuity shall cease  and  the  insurance  shall  be  restored  at a proportionate premium for an amount  equal to the present value of the instalments not yet due.    (e) No such policy which provides  income  disability  benefits  shall  contain  any  provision  whereby  the  income  disability benefits shall  exceed a monthly rate equal to one percent of the  face  amount  of  the  policy,  such face amount not to include any additional benefits payable  in case of accidental death and of any pure endowment benefits.    (f) No such contract which provides income disability  benefits  shall  contain  any provision whereby monthly income disability benefits exceed  one-twelfth of the annual annuity  which  would  ordinarily  be  payable  thereunder at age seventy.    (g)  The  provisions of this section shall not apply to any group life  insurance policies or group annuity contracts.    (h) Within the meaning of this section:    (1) "waiver of premiums" includes refund of waived premiums, if paid;    (2) "income payments" means payments made monthly or at less  frequent  regular  intervals in addition to waiver of premiums and to all benefits  otherwise provided by the contract;    (3) "disability benefits" means waiver of premiums, or both waiver  of  premium and income payments, whichever may be specified in the contract;(4) "income disability benefits" means income payments contingent upon  total disability of the insured.

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > New-york > Isc > Article-32 > 3215

§  3215.  Disability  benefits  in  connection with life insurance and  annuities.  (a) No policy of life  insurance  or  contract  of  deferred  annuity,  which  provides  benefits  by  reason of the disability of the  insured, including waiver of premium, shall be delivered or  issued  for  delivery  in  this  state  unless it contains in substance the following  provisions or provisions which in the opinion of the superintendent  are  more favorable to policyholders:    (1)  That disability benefits be paid or allowed only in case of total  disability and defining total disability  in  either  of  the  following  forms:    (A)  Total  disability  is  incapacity  of the insured, resulting from  injury or disease, to engage  in  any  occupation  for  remuneration  or  profit.  Such  a  policy  shall  be  known  and  described  as  a "total  disability" policy or contract.    (B) Total disability,  shall  exist  whenever  the  insured's  average  monthly earned income for a period of four months next preceding has, as  a  result of the insured's injury or disease, not exceeded one-fourth of  his former earned income averaged monthly for a period  (next  preceding  said  four  months) which shall be prescribed in the policy and shall be  not less than twelve months.  Such a policy shall be known and described  as an "earned income disability" policy or contract.    (2) That disability benefits will be paid or allowed only in case such  total disability is also permanent as defined in either of the following  forms:    (A) If such policy  is  a  total  disability  policy,  as  defined  in  paragraph  one  hereof, a provision that total disability which has been  continuous for a period specified in the contract, and  which  shall  be  not  less than four months nor more than one year, shall be deemed to be  permanent  only  with  respect  to  determining  the   commencement   of  disability benefits.    (B)  If  such policy is an earned income disability policy, as defined  in paragraph one hereof, a provision  that  total  disability  shall  be  deemed to continue as long as the insured's earned monthly income shall,  as  a  result of injury or disease, not exceed one-fourth of his average  monthly earned  income  as  determined  at  the  commencement  of  total  disability.    (3)  That  written  notice of claim be given to the insurer during the  lifetime of the insured and  during  the  period  of  total  disability.  Failure  to give such notice shall not invalidate or reduce any claim if  it shall be shown not to have been  reasonably  possible  to  give  such  notice and that notice was given as soon as was reasonably possible.    (4)  That  there be reasonable requirements as to the time, method and  form of proof of disability and as to  the  continuance  of  disability,  including  an  examination  of  the insured by the insurer at reasonable  intervals. Failure to  furnish  proof  of  disability  within  the  time  required  shall  not  invalidate  or  reduce  any  claim  if  it was not  reasonably possible to give proof within such time, provided such  proof  is  furnished  as soon as reasonably possible and in no event, except in  the absence of legal capacity, later than one year from the  time  proof  is otherwise required.    (5)  That  the contract of disability insurance shall be incontestable  after it shall have been in force, during the lifetime  of  the  insured  and  without  the  occurrence  of total disability of the insured, for a  period of three years from date  of  issue,  except  for  nonpayment  of  premiums  and  except  for  the  conditions  of the contract relating to  military or naval service.(b) Any provision in such policy or  contract  that  total  disability  resulting  from  any  specified  cause  shall be excluded from coverage,  shall contain only the following exclusions:    (1)  (A)  a provision terminating disability coverage when the insured  becomes a member of the military, naval or air forces of any country  at  war, declared or undeclared; or    (B)  a  provision  terminating  disability  coverage  when the insured  becomes a member of any auxiliary or civilian non-combatant unit serving  with the military, naval or air forces of any country at  war,  declared  or undeclared; or    (C)  a  provision excluding from coverage disability commencing within  five years from the date of issue of the policy as a result of an act of  war or any act  incident  thereto,  whether  such  war  be  declared  or  undeclared,  provided  such act takes place while the insured is outside  the geographical limits specified in the policy.    (2) A provision excluding from the coverage disability resulting  from  aviation under conditions specified in the policy.    (3)  A  provision  excluding  from  the  coverage  disability directly  resulting from injuries wilfully and intentionally self-inflicted.    (c) No policy or contract shall contain any  provision  set  forth  in  this subsection, unless it conforms substantially to the following:    (1)  Any  provision  excluding  from the coverage disability resulting  from disease or injury occurring before the date of issue of the  policy  or  contract,  except  provisions excluding from the coverage a specific  disease or injury by name or description, shall be  applicable  only  to  such disability commencing not later than two years after date of issue.    (2)  A  provision  for  a  reasonable  adjustment of income disability  benefits if the aggregate monthly amount of such benefits payable to the  insured,  under  all  contracts  of  insurance,  exceeds   a   specified  percentage  not  to  exceed  one  hundred percent of the average monthly  earned income of the insured as may be  ascertained  in  any  reasonable  manner.    (d)  No  such  policy  shall  provide  that  the  face  amount of life  insurance shall be reduced because  of  any  disability  benefits  paid,  except  that  such  policy  may  provide, in lieu of income payments, an  annuity certain for a period of not more than ten years,  the  value  of  which  at  its inception shall be equal to the face amount of insurance,  with the provision that upon recovery such annuity shall cease  and  the  insurance  shall  be  restored  at a proportionate premium for an amount  equal to the present value of the instalments not yet due.    (e) No such policy which provides  income  disability  benefits  shall  contain  any  provision  whereby  the  income  disability benefits shall  exceed a monthly rate equal to one percent of the  face  amount  of  the  policy,  such face amount not to include any additional benefits payable  in case of accidental death and of any pure endowment benefits.    (f) No such contract which provides income disability  benefits  shall  contain  any provision whereby monthly income disability benefits exceed  one-twelfth of the annual annuity  which  would  ordinarily  be  payable  thereunder at age seventy.    (g)  The  provisions of this section shall not apply to any group life  insurance policies or group annuity contracts.    (h) Within the meaning of this section:    (1) "waiver of premiums" includes refund of waived premiums, if paid;    (2) "income payments" means payments made monthly or at less  frequent  regular  intervals in addition to waiver of premiums and to all benefits  otherwise provided by the contract;    (3) "disability benefits" means waiver of premiums, or both waiver  of  premium and income payments, whichever may be specified in the contract;(4) "income disability benefits" means income payments contingent upon  total disability of the insured.

State Codes and Statutes

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > New-york > Isc > Article-32 > 3215

§  3215.  Disability  benefits  in  connection with life insurance and  annuities.  (a) No policy of life  insurance  or  contract  of  deferred  annuity,  which  provides  benefits  by  reason of the disability of the  insured, including waiver of premium, shall be delivered or  issued  for  delivery  in  this  state  unless it contains in substance the following  provisions or provisions which in the opinion of the superintendent  are  more favorable to policyholders:    (1)  That disability benefits be paid or allowed only in case of total  disability and defining total disability  in  either  of  the  following  forms:    (A)  Total  disability  is  incapacity  of the insured, resulting from  injury or disease, to engage  in  any  occupation  for  remuneration  or  profit.  Such  a  policy  shall  be  known  and  described  as  a "total  disability" policy or contract.    (B) Total disability,  shall  exist  whenever  the  insured's  average  monthly earned income for a period of four months next preceding has, as  a  result of the insured's injury or disease, not exceeded one-fourth of  his former earned income averaged monthly for a period  (next  preceding  said  four  months) which shall be prescribed in the policy and shall be  not less than twelve months.  Such a policy shall be known and described  as an "earned income disability" policy or contract.    (2) That disability benefits will be paid or allowed only in case such  total disability is also permanent as defined in either of the following  forms:    (A) If such policy  is  a  total  disability  policy,  as  defined  in  paragraph  one  hereof, a provision that total disability which has been  continuous for a period specified in the contract, and  which  shall  be  not  less than four months nor more than one year, shall be deemed to be  permanent  only  with  respect  to  determining  the   commencement   of  disability benefits.    (B)  If  such policy is an earned income disability policy, as defined  in paragraph one hereof, a provision  that  total  disability  shall  be  deemed to continue as long as the insured's earned monthly income shall,  as  a  result of injury or disease, not exceed one-fourth of his average  monthly earned  income  as  determined  at  the  commencement  of  total  disability.    (3)  That  written  notice of claim be given to the insurer during the  lifetime of the insured and  during  the  period  of  total  disability.  Failure  to give such notice shall not invalidate or reduce any claim if  it shall be shown not to have been  reasonably  possible  to  give  such  notice and that notice was given as soon as was reasonably possible.    (4)  That  there be reasonable requirements as to the time, method and  form of proof of disability and as to  the  continuance  of  disability,  including  an  examination  of  the insured by the insurer at reasonable  intervals. Failure to  furnish  proof  of  disability  within  the  time  required  shall  not  invalidate  or  reduce  any  claim  if  it was not  reasonably possible to give proof within such time, provided such  proof  is  furnished  as soon as reasonably possible and in no event, except in  the absence of legal capacity, later than one year from the  time  proof  is otherwise required.    (5)  That  the contract of disability insurance shall be incontestable  after it shall have been in force, during the lifetime  of  the  insured  and  without  the  occurrence  of total disability of the insured, for a  period of three years from date  of  issue,  except  for  nonpayment  of  premiums  and  except  for  the  conditions  of the contract relating to  military or naval service.(b) Any provision in such policy or  contract  that  total  disability  resulting  from  any  specified  cause  shall be excluded from coverage,  shall contain only the following exclusions:    (1)  (A)  a provision terminating disability coverage when the insured  becomes a member of the military, naval or air forces of any country  at  war, declared or undeclared; or    (B)  a  provision  terminating  disability  coverage  when the insured  becomes a member of any auxiliary or civilian non-combatant unit serving  with the military, naval or air forces of any country at  war,  declared  or undeclared; or    (C)  a  provision excluding from coverage disability commencing within  five years from the date of issue of the policy as a result of an act of  war or any act  incident  thereto,  whether  such  war  be  declared  or  undeclared,  provided  such act takes place while the insured is outside  the geographical limits specified in the policy.    (2) A provision excluding from the coverage disability resulting  from  aviation under conditions specified in the policy.    (3)  A  provision  excluding  from  the  coverage  disability directly  resulting from injuries wilfully and intentionally self-inflicted.    (c) No policy or contract shall contain any  provision  set  forth  in  this subsection, unless it conforms substantially to the following:    (1)  Any  provision  excluding  from the coverage disability resulting  from disease or injury occurring before the date of issue of the  policy  or  contract,  except  provisions excluding from the coverage a specific  disease or injury by name or description, shall be  applicable  only  to  such disability commencing not later than two years after date of issue.    (2)  A  provision  for  a  reasonable  adjustment of income disability  benefits if the aggregate monthly amount of such benefits payable to the  insured,  under  all  contracts  of  insurance,  exceeds   a   specified  percentage  not  to  exceed  one  hundred percent of the average monthly  earned income of the insured as may be  ascertained  in  any  reasonable  manner.    (d)  No  such  policy  shall  provide  that  the  face  amount of life  insurance shall be reduced because  of  any  disability  benefits  paid,  except  that  such  policy  may  provide, in lieu of income payments, an  annuity certain for a period of not more than ten years,  the  value  of  which  at  its inception shall be equal to the face amount of insurance,  with the provision that upon recovery such annuity shall cease  and  the  insurance  shall  be  restored  at a proportionate premium for an amount  equal to the present value of the instalments not yet due.    (e) No such policy which provides  income  disability  benefits  shall  contain  any  provision  whereby  the  income  disability benefits shall  exceed a monthly rate equal to one percent of the  face  amount  of  the  policy,  such face amount not to include any additional benefits payable  in case of accidental death and of any pure endowment benefits.    (f) No such contract which provides income disability  benefits  shall  contain  any provision whereby monthly income disability benefits exceed  one-twelfth of the annual annuity  which  would  ordinarily  be  payable  thereunder at age seventy.    (g)  The  provisions of this section shall not apply to any group life  insurance policies or group annuity contracts.    (h) Within the meaning of this section:    (1) "waiver of premiums" includes refund of waived premiums, if paid;    (2) "income payments" means payments made monthly or at less  frequent  regular  intervals in addition to waiver of premiums and to all benefits  otherwise provided by the contract;    (3) "disability benefits" means waiver of premiums, or both waiver  of  premium and income payments, whichever may be specified in the contract;(4) "income disability benefits" means income payments contingent upon  total disability of the insured.