Md. Code Regs. 31.09.13.05

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 24, December 2, 2024

Section 31.09.13.05 - Exemptions

A. This chapter does not apply to solicitations or sales involving:

(1) Credit insurance;

(2) Group life insurance or group annuities where there is no in-person, face-to-face solicitation of individuals by an insurance producer or where the contract or certificate does not include a side fund;

(3) An application to the existing insurer that issued the existing policy or contract when:

(a) A contractual change or a conversion privilege is being exercised;

(b) The existing policy or contract is being replaced by the same insurer pursuant to a program filed with and approved by the commissioner; or

(c) A term conversion privilege is exercised among corporate affiliates;

(4) Individual health policies, including disability income policies;

(5) Contracts offered by Service members' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) or Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI), as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 1965 et seq. (2007);

(6) Life insurance contracts offered through or by a nonprofit military association, qualifying under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(23) (2007), and which are not underwritten by an insurer; or

(7) Contracts used to fund:

(a) An employee pension or welfare benefit plan that is covered by the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act (ERISA);

(b) A plan described by § 401(a), 401(k), 403(b), 408(k), or 408(p) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, if established or maintained by an employer;

(c) A government or church plan defined in § 414 of the Internal Revenue Code, a government or church welfare benefit plan, or a deferred compensation plan of a state or local government or tax exempt organization under § 457 of the Internal Revenue Code;

(d) A nonqualified deferred compensation arrangement established or maintained by an employer or plan sponsor;

(e) Settlements of or assumptions of liabilities associated with personal injury litigation or any dispute or claim resolution process; or

(f) Prearranged funeral contracts.

B. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to abrogate the ability of nonprofit organizations to educate members of the United States Armed Forces in accordance with Department of Defense DoD Instruction 1344.07-Personal Commercial Solicitation on DoD Installations.

C. For purposes of this chapter, general advertisements, direct mail, and internet marketing do not constitute solicitation.

D. Telephone Marketing.

(1) Telephone marketing does not constitute solicitation, if the caller:

(a) Explicitly and conspicuously discloses that the product concerned is life insurance or annuity; and

(b) Makes no statements that avoid a clear and unequivocal statement that life insurance or annuity is the subject matter of the solicitation.

(2) Nothing in this section may be construed to exempt an insurer or insurance producer from this chapter in any in-person, face-to-face meeting established as a result of the solicitation exemptions identified in this regulation.

Md. Code Regs. 31.09.13.05