Report Title:

Insurance Policies

Description:

Allows insurance policy advertising, information sheets and translations in languages other than English. (HB1700 HD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1700

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to insurance policies.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Section 431:10-220, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§431:10-220 Policy must contain entire contract. (a) No agreement in conflict with, modifying, or extending any contract of insurance shall be valid unless in writing and made a part of the policy.

(b) No insurer or its representatives shall make any insurance contract or agreement relative thereto that is not plainly expressed in the policy.

(c) The requirements of this section shall not apply to the granting of additional benefits to all policyholders of the insurer, or a class or classes of them, [which] that do not require increases in premium rates or reduction or restrictions of coverage.

(d) This section shall not prevent an insurer or its representatives from advertising an insurance policy in a language other than English, or making available in a language other than English:

(1) An insurance policy informational sheet; or

(2) A translation of an insurance policy.

In any dispute over the terms of a policy, the written English language policy shall be controlling and an advertisement, informational sheet, or translation shall not be construed to modify or change the policy."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.