§ 19-116. Certificates of insurance and certificate of insurance forms

   (a) Definitions. --

   (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

   (2) "Certificate holder" means any person, other than a policyholder, that requests, obtains, or possesses a certificate of insurance.

   (3) (i) "Certificate of insurance" or "certificate" means any document or instrument, however titled or described, that is prepared or issued by an insurer or insurance producer as evidence of property insurance or casualty insurance coverage.

      (ii) "Certificate of insurance" or "certificate" does not include a policy of insurance or an insurance binder.

   (4) "Insurer" includes a person that is self-insured.

   (5) "Person" includes a unit of State or local government.

   (6) "Policyholder" means the owner of a policy of property insurance or casualty insurance.

(b) Scope. --

   (1) This section applies to all certificate holders, policyholders, insurers, insurance producers, and certificates of insurance prepared or issued as evidence of insurance coverage on property, operations, or risks located in the State, regardless of where the certificate holder, policyholder, insurer, or insurance producer is located.

   (2) This section may not be construed to apply to a statement, summary, or evidence of property insurance, including a certificate, required by a lender that holds a loan secured by:

      (i) a mortgage;

      (ii) a lien;

      (iii) a deed of trust; or

      (iv) any other security interest in real or personal property as security for the loan.

(c) Requiring false or misleading information in certificate of insurance prohibited. -- A person may not require an insurer or insurance producer to prepare or issue, or a policyholder to provide, a certificate of insurance that contains false or misleading information relating to the policy of insurance referenced in the certificate.

(d) Preparing certificate of insurance containing false or misleading information prohibited. -- A person may not prepare or issue a certificate of insurance that the person knows contains false or misleading information or that purports to amend, alter, or extend the coverage provided by the policy of insurance referenced in the certificate.

(e) Opinion letter or other document inconsistent with section prohibited. -- A person may not prepare, issue, or require, either in addition to or in lieu of a certificate of insurance, an opinion letter or other document that is inconsistent with this section.

(f) Status of certificate of insurance. --

   (1) A certificate of insurance is not a policy of insurance and does not amend, alter, or extend the coverage provided by the policy of insurance referenced in the certificate.

   (2) A certificate of insurance does not confer on a certificate holder new or additional coverage beyond the coverage provided in the policy of insurance referenced in the certificate.

(g) Effect on terms and conditions of insurance policy. -- The terms and conditions of a notice of cancellation, nonrenewal, material change, or other similar matters relating to a policy of insurance referenced in a certificate of insurance:

   (1) shall be governed by the policy of insurance; and

   (2) may not be altered by a certificate of insurance.

(h) Certificate of insurance or document in violation of section is void and unenforceable. -- A certificate of insurance or any other document prepared, issued, or required in violation of this section is void and unenforceable.

(i) Investigations. -- The Commissioner may examine and investigate the activities of any person that the Commissioner reasonably believes has been or is engaged in an act or practice prohibited by this section.

HISTORY: 2011, chs. 514, 515.