Section 72C.01 — Citation.

72C.01 CITATION. Sections 72C.01 to 72C.13 may be cited as the “Readability of Insurance Policies Act.” History: 1977 c 345 s 1

Section 72C.02 — Purpose.

72C.02 PURPOSE. The purpose of sections 72C.01 to 72C.13 is to provide that insurance policies and contracts be readable and understandable to a person of average intelligence, experience, and education. All insurers shall be required by sections 72C.01 to 72C.13 to use policy and contract forms which are written in simple and commonly used language, […]

Section 72C.03 — Scope.

72C.03 SCOPE. Except as otherwise specifically provided, sections 72C.01 to 72C.13 shall apply to all policies or contracts of direct insurance, issued by persons authorized at any time to transact insurance in this state and including nonprofit health service plan corporations under chapter 62C, health maintenance organizations under chapter 62D, and fraternal benefit societies under […]

Section 72C.04 — Definitions.

72C.04 DEFINITIONS. Subdivision 1. Scope. For purposes of sections 72C.01 to 72C.13, the following terms shall have the meanings given them. Subd. 2. Commissioner. “Commissioner” means the commissioner of commerce or a designated agent. Subd. 3. Flesch scale analysis readability score. “Flesch scale analysis readability score” means a measurement of the ease of readability of […]

Section 72C.05 — Cover Sheet.

72C.05 COVER SHEET. Subdivision 1. Requirement. All insurance policies or contracts described in section 72C.11, clauses (a) and (b) issued, amended or renewed after July 1, 1978 and before the filing requirements of section 72C.10 take effect shall contain as the first page or first page of text, if it is preceded by a title […]

Section 72C.06 — Readability.

72C.06 READABILITY. Subdivision 1. Requirement. All insurance policies filed with the commissioner pursuant to section 72C.11 shall be written in language easily readable and understandable by a person of average intelligence and education. Subd. 2. Compliance factors. In determining whether a policy or contract is readable within the meaning of this section the commissioner shall […]

Section 72C.07 — Legibility.

72C.07 LEGIBILITY. Subdivision 1. Requirement. All insurance policies covered by section 72C.11 shall be printed in legible type and in a type face style approved by the commissioner. Subd. 2. Compliance factors. In determining whether a policy or contract is legible the commissioner shall consider, in addition to the requirements of subdivision 1 relating to […]

Section 72C.08 — Format Requirements.

72C.08 FORMAT REQUIREMENTS. Subdivision 1. Requirement. All insurance policies and contracts covered by section 72C.11 shall be written in a logical, clear, and understandable order and form and shall contain at least the following items: (a) on the cover or first or an insert page of the policy a statement that the policy is a […]

Section 72C.09 — Flesch Scale Analysis Readability Score, Procedures.

72C.09 FLESCH SCALE ANALYSIS READABILITY SCORE, PROCEDURES. A Flesch scale analysis readability score shall be measured as provided in this section. (1) For contracts containing 10,000 words or less of text, the entire contract shall be analyzed. For contracts containing more than 10,000 words the readability of two 200 word samples per page may be […]

Section 72C.10 — Filing Requirements; Duties Of Commissioner.

72C.10 FILING REQUIREMENTS; DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER. Subdivision 1. Readability compliance; filing and approval. No insurer shall make, issue, amend, or renew any policy or contract after the dates specified in section 72C.11 for the applicable type of policy unless the contract is in compliance with the requirements of sections 72C.06 to 72C.09 and unless the […]

Section 72C.11 — Application Of Filing Requirements; Duties Of Commissioner.

72C.11 APPLICATION OF FILING REQUIREMENTS; DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER. Subdivision 1. Policies and dates specified. The filing requirements of section 72C.10 shall apply as follows: (a) To all policies of private passenger vehicle insurance, as described in chapter 65B, and to all policies of homeowner’s insurance as defined in the general custom and usage of the […]

Section 72C.12 — Commissioner’s Powers And Duties.

72C.12 COMMISSIONER’S POWERS AND DUTIES. In addition to the duties and powers enumerated elsewhere in sections 72C.01 to 72C.13 the commissioner shall have the power to promulgate rules consistent with sections 72C.01 to 72C.13 to effectuate its purpose. History: 1977 c 345 s 12

Section 72C.13 — Construction.

72C.13 CONSTRUCTION. Subdivision 1. Other insurance law. Sections 72C.01 to 72C.13 shall not operate to relieve any insurer from any provision of law regulating the contents or provisions of insurance policies, except to the extent that the provisions prescribe the use of specific language which is inconsistent with sections 72C.01 to 72C.13. Subd. 2. Standard […]