CHAPTER 8. LEGAL INSURANCE
IC 27-7-8
Chapter 8. Legal Insurance
IC 27-7-8-1
Definitions
Sec. 1. Definitions. As used in this chapter:
"Advertising" means any communication to the public the purpose
of which is to convey information purporting to describe a legal
insurance plan.
"Commissioner" refers to the commissioner of insurance.
"Department" refers to the department of insurance.
"Employee" means an individual employed or permitted to work
or perform services for remuneration under a contract of hire, written
or oral, by an employer.
"Employer" means a person who hires an employee.
"Group legal insurance" refers to legal insurance issued under a
master policy covering the individuals set out in subdivisions (1) and
(2) of section 3 of this chapter, applying a rate that is lower than the
rate shown in the insurer's manual for individual policies of the same
type and class.
"Insurer" means a person who obtains a certificate of authority
under IC 27-1-3-20.
"Legal insurance" means insurance against class 2(m) risk of loss
as described in IC 27-1-5-1.
"Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited
liability company, business trust, or association.
"Solicitation" means any invitation or request to enroll in a legal
insurance plan, or attempt to obtain consideration for the coverage of
a legal insurance plan, or any other device the purpose of which is to
induce an individual to enroll in, or pay consideration for, a legal
insurance plan.
As added by Acts 1978, P.L.129, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.8-1993,
SEC.427.
IC 27-7-8-2
Provisions governing legal insurance
Sec. 2. In addition to the other applicable provisions of IC 27, an
insurer providing legal insurance must comply with the provisions of
this chapter.
As added by Acts 1978, P.L.129, SEC.2.
IC 27-7-8-3
Authority to issue insurance to individuals and groups
Sec. 3. Legal insurance may be issued to an individual or, as a
group policy to:
(1) ten (10) or more employees; or
(2) ten (10) or more members of a trade or professional
association, labor union, or any other association of members in
the same or related occupation, profession, or industry in
existence for two (2) years, having a constitution, and formed
for a purpose other than obtaining insurance.
As added by Acts 1978, P.L.129, SEC.2.
IC 27-7-8-4
Payment of premiums; persons authorized
Sec. 4. The following may periodically pay to the insurer, as
provided in the contract to insure, the premiums on a group legal
insurance policy:
(1) An employer for its employees.
(2) An association for its members.
(3) A labor union for its members.
As added by Acts 1978, P.L.129, SEC.2.
IC 27-7-8-5
Group policies; rights to obtain individual coverage
Sec. 5. (a) A group policy must contain a provision that allows an
insured member who no longer qualifies for group coverage to obtain
an individual policy with similar coverage.
(b) An individual desiring to obtain an individual policy as
provided under subsection (a) must apply for the policy not later than
thirty-one (31) days from the date on which the individual is no
longer a qualified member of the group.
(c) The individual policy shall be issued on one (1) of the forms
issued by the insurer for individual policies, and the premium on the
policy must be at the insurer's customary rate for the class of risk to
which the individual belongs.
As added by Acts 1978, P.L.129, SEC.2.
IC 27-7-8-6
Master group policy; individual certificates; filing; contents
Sec. 6. An insurer shall issue an individual or master policy that
serves as evidence of a contractual obligation. A certificate of
coverage must be issued to each individual under a group policy. All
such documents must be filed with the commissioner as required
under this title. In addition to those provisions, each policy or
certificate concerning legal insurance must contain a complete and
clear statement of:
(1) the legal benefits to which the insured is entitled;
(2) any limitation or exclusion on the services, kinds of
services, benefits to be provided, including deductible or
copayment features; and
(3) where information is available as to how services may be
obtained.
As added by Acts 1978, P.L.129, SEC.2.
IC 27-7-8-7
Regulations
Sec. 7. The commissioner may promulgate regulations under
IC 4-22-2 that he considers necessary for the proper administration
of this chapter.
As added by Acts 1978, P.L.129, SEC.2.