PREPARATION OF FORMS
§ 89b.11. General contents of forms.
(a) Name and address. Each form shall state the full corporate or legal name of the company, association, exchange or society. However, the name need appear for filing purposes only on a rider, endorsement, amendment, agreement or insert page. If added for filing purposes only, the name may be added by any legible means. If more than one insurer is using an application, a multicompany application providing for the designation of the applicable insurer and available coverages, if applicable, may be used. A policy, contract or fraternal certificate shall state a current address for the insurer, consisting of at least a city and state or province.
(b) Form number. Each form shall contain a form number consisting of numbers, letters, or both. The form number shall be adequate to distinguish the form from all others used by the insurer. The form number may be the same as that of a form to be replaced. However, if the form to be replaced was approved by or filed with the Department, it may not have been issued in this Commonwealth and shall be withdrawn from any issuance in this Commonwealth.
(c) Description or caption. Each form, except an insert page, shall contain a brief description or descriptive caption. This brief description or descriptive caption shall appear in prominent type on the first or cover page of the form, or, in the case of a policy, contract or certificate, on the specifications page if the brief description or descriptive caption is visible without opening the form. The brief description or descriptive caption shall contain at least the following information:
(1) A designation of the general type of the form, that is, policy, contract, certificate, rider, endorsement, amendment, agreement, application or other general type.
(2) A designation of the specific type of insurance or annuity coverage provided, or if the form does not provide insurance or annuity coverage, a designation of the purpose of the form.
(3) If the form is a policy, contract or certificate, an indication of whether the form is participating or nonparticipating with regard to paying dividends to policyholders.
(d) Required statement. A rider, endorsement, amendment or agreement designated by another term in its brief description or descriptive caption shall state that it is ‘‘attached to and made part of the (policy, contract or certificate),’’ as appropriate.
(e) Hypothetical data. The blank spaces of each form, except an application, shall be filled in with hypothetical data to indicate the purpose of the form. This data shall be realistic and consistent with the other contents of the form. Information appearing in a form, except an application, which is variable shall be bracketed or otherwise marked to denote variability.
(f) Readability. A form:
(1) Shall be written in simple words and with sentences as short as possible. The words and sentences should convey meanings clearly and directly. Words should be used in their commonly understood senses.
(2) Shall contain a definition or explanation of terminology that would not be ordinarily understood by a person of average intelligence.
(3) May not contain inconsistent or contradictory language or provisions.
(4) That provides insurance coverage, shall accurately and completely explain the coverage and conditions of coverage.
Cross References This section cited in 31 Pa. Code § 90c.12 (relating to form number); 31 Pa. Code § 90d.2 (relating to general provisions); 31 Pa. Code § 90d.9 (relating to riders); 31 Pa. Code 90e.2 (relating to general provisions); 31 Pa. Code § 90e.11 (relating to riders); 31 Pa. Code § 90f.2 (relating to general provisions); 31 Pa. Code § 90f.13 (relating to riders); 31 Pa. Code § 90g.2 (relating to general provisions); 31 Pa. Code § 90g.14 (relating to riders); and 31 Pa. Code § 90h.2 (relating to general provisions).
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