Colorado Code § 10-16-202

Required provisions in individual sickness and accident policies
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(1) 
Except as provided in section 10-16-204, each such policy delivered or issued for delivery to any
person in this state shall contain the provisions specified in this section in the words in which the
same appear in this section; except that the insurer, at its option, may substitute for one or more
of such provisions corresponding provisions of different wording approved by the commissioner
which are in each instance not less favorable in any respect to the insured or the beneficiary.
Such provisions shall be preceded individually by the caption appearing in this section or, at the
option of the insurer, by such appropriate individual or group captions or subcaptions as the
commissioner may approve.
(2) A provision as follows: "Entire contract--changes: This policy, including the
endorsements and the attached papers, if any, constitutes the entire contract of insurance. No
change in this policy shall be valid until approved by an executive officer of the insurer and
unless such approval be endorsed hereon or attached hereto. No agent has authority to change
this policy or to waive any of its provisions."
(3) Provisions as follows: "Time limit on certain defenses: (a) Two years after the date
of issue of this policy no misstatements, except fraudulent misstatements, made by the applicant
in the application for such policy shall be used to void the policy or to deny a claim for loss
incurred or disability (as defined in the policy) commencing after the expiration of such two-year
period. The policy cannot be retroactively terminated except for fraud or intentional
misrepresentation. For any termination other than for fraud or intentional misrepresentation, the
carrier shall provide notice thirty days in advance of the cancellation of the policy."
"(The foregoing policy provision does not affect any legal requirement for avoidance of a
policy or denial of a claim during such initial two-year period, nor limit the application of
section 10-16-203 in the event of misstatement with respect to age or occupation or other
insurance.)"
(A policy that the insured has the right to continue in force subject to its terms by the
timely payment of premium until at least age fifty, or in the case of a policy issued after age
forty-four, for at least five years after its date of issue, may contain, in lieu of the foregoing, the
following provision, from which the clause in parentheses may be omitted at the insurer's option,
under the caption "Incontestable":
"After this policy has been in force for a period of two years during the lifetime of the
insured (excluding any period during which the insured is disabled), it becomes incontestable as
to the statements contained in the application.")
(b) Except for individual disability income insurance policies, no claim for loss incurred
or disability, as defined in the policy, commencing one year after the date of issue of this policy
shall be reduced or denied on the ground that a disease or physical condition not excluded from
coverage by name or a specific description effective on the date of loss had existed prior to the
effective date of coverage of this policy.
(c) If this is an individual disability income insurance policy then no claim for loss
incurred or disability, as defined in this individual disability income insurance policy,
commencing two years after the date of issue of the policy shall be reduced or denied on the
ground that a disease or physical condition not excluded from coverage by name or a specific
description effective on the date of loss had existed prior to the effective date of coverage of this
policy.
(4) (a) Except as required by section 10-16-140, in a policy other than a health benefit
plan, a provision as follows: "Grace period: A grace period of ........ (insert a number not less
than '7' for weekly premium policies, '10' for monthly premium policies, and '31' for all other
policies) days will be granted for the payment of each premium falling due after the first
premium, during which grace period the policy shall continue in force."
(b) A policy in which the insurer reserves the right to refuse any renewal shall have, at
the beginning of the provision referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection (4), "Unless not less
than thirty days prior to the premium due date the insurer has delivered to the insured or has
mailed to the insured's last address as shown by the records of the insurer written notice of its
intention not to renew this policy beyond the period for which the premium has been accepted."
(5) (a) A provision as follows: "Reinstatement: If any renewal premium is not paid
within the time granted the insured for payment, a subsequent acceptance of premium by the
insurer or by any agent duly authorized by the insurer to accept such premium, without requiring
in connection therewith an application for reinstatement, shall reinstate the policy. If the insurer
or such agent requires an application for reinstatement and issues a conditional receipt for the
premium tendered, the policy will be reinstated upon approval of such application by the insurer
or, lacking such approval, upon the forty-fifth day following the date of such conditional receipt
unless the insurer has previously notified the insured in writing of its disapproval of such
application. The reinstated policy shall cover only loss resulting from such accidental injury as
may be sustained after the date of reinstatement and loss due to such sickness as may begin more
than ten days after such date. In all other respects the insured and insurer shall have the same
rights thereunder as they had under the policy immediately before the due date of the defaulted
premium, subject to any provisions endorsed hereon or attached hereto in connection with the
reinstatement. Any premium accepted in connection with a reinstatement shall be applied to a
period for which premium has not been previously paid, but not to any period more than sixty
days prior to the date of reinstatement."
(b) The last sentence of the above provision may be omitted from any policy which the
insured has the right to continue in force subject to its terms by the timely payment of premiums
until at least age fifty or, in the case of a policy issued after age forty-four, for at least five years
from its date of issue.
(6) (a) Provisions as follows: "Notice of claim: Written notice of claim must be given to
the insurer within twenty days after the occurrence or commencement of any loss covered by the
policy or as soon thereafter as is reasonably possible. Notice given by or on behalf of the insured
or the beneficiary to the insurer at ........ (insert the location of such office as the insurer may
designate for the purpose), or to any authorized agent of the insurer, with information sufficient
to identify the insured, shall be deemed notice to the insurer."
(b) In a policy providing a loss-of-time benefit which may be payable for at least two
years, an insurer may at its option insert the following between the first and second sentences of
the provision set forth in paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of this section:
"Subject to the qualifications set forth below, if the insured suffers loss of time on
account of disability for which indemnity may be payable for at least two years, the insured
shall, at least once in every six months after having given notice of claim, give to the insurer
notice of continuance of said disability, except in the event of legal incapacity. The period of six
months following any filing of proof by the insured or any payment by the insurer on account of
such claim or any denial of liability in whole or in part by the insurer shall be excluded in
applying this provision. Delay in the giving of such notice shall not impair the insured's right to
any indemnity which would otherwise have accrued during the period of six months preceding
the date on which such notice is actually given."
(7) A provision as follows: "Claim forms: The insurer, upon receipt of a notice of claim,
will furnish to the claimant such forms as are usually furnished by it for filing proofs of loss. If
such forms are not furnished within fifteen days after the giving of such notice, the claimant
shall be deemed to have complied with the requirements of this policy as to proof of loss upon
submitting, within the time fixed in the policy for filing proofs of loss, written proof covering the
occurrence, the character, and the extent of the loss for which claim is made."
(8) A provision as follows: "Proofs of loss: Written proof of loss must be furnished to
the insurer at its said office in case of claim for loss for which this policy provides any periodic
payment contingent upon continuing loss within ninety days after the termination of the period
for which the insurer is liable and in case of claim for any other loss within ninety days after the
date of such loss. Failure to furnish such proof within the time required shall not invalidate nor
reduce any claim if it was not reasonably possible to give proof within such time, if such proof is
furnished as soon as reasonably possible and in no event, except in the absence of legal capacity,
later than one year from the time proof is otherwise required."
(9) A provision as follows: "Time of payment of claims: Indemnities payable under this
policy for any loss other than loss for which this policy provides any periodic payment will be
paid immediately upon receipt of due written proof of such loss. Subject to due written proof of
loss, all accrued indemnities for loss for which this policy provides periodic payment will be
paid ........ (insert period for payment which must not be less frequently than monthly) and any
balance remaining unpaid upon the termination of liability will be paid immediately upon receipt
of due written proof."
(10) (a) A provision as follows: "Payment of claims: Indemnity for loss of life will be
payable in accordance with the beneficiary designation and the provisions respecting such
payment which may be prescribed herein and effective at the time of payment. If no such
designation or provision is then effective, such indemnity shall be payable to the estate of the
insured. Any other accrued indemnities unpaid at the insured's death may, at the option of the
insurer, be paid either to such beneficiary or to such estate. All other indemnities will be payable
to the insured."
(b) The following provisions, or either of them, may be included with the provision set
forth in paragraph (a) of this subsection (10) at the option of the insurer:
"If any indemnity of this policy shall be payable to the estate of the insured, or to an
insured or beneficiary who is a minor or otherwise not competent to give valid release, the
insurer may pay such indemnity, up to an amount not exceeding $ ........ (insert an amount which
shall not exceed $1000), to any relative by blood or connection by marriage of the insured or
beneficiary who is deemed by the insurer to be equitably entitled thereto. Any payment made by
the insurer in good faith pursuant to this provision shall fully discharge the insurer to the extent
of such payment."
"Subject to any written direction of the insured in the application or otherwise, all or a
portion of any indemnities provided by this policy on account of hospital, nursing, medical, or
surgical services may, at the insurer's option and unless the insured requests otherwise in writing
not later than the time of filing proofs of such loss, be paid directly to the hospital or person
rendering such services; but it is not required that the service be rendered by a particular hospital
or person."
(11) A provision as follows: "Physical examinations and autopsy: The insurer at its own
expense shall have the right and opportunity to examine the person of the insured when and as
often as it may reasonably require during the pendency of a claim hereunder and to make an
autopsy in case of death where it is not forbidden by law."
(12) A provision as follows: "Legal actions: No action at law or in equity shall be
brought to recover on this policy prior to the expiration of sixty days after written proof of loss
has been furnished in accordance with the requirements of this policy. No such action shall be
brought after the expiration of three years after the time written proof of loss is required to be
furnished."
(13) (a) A provision as follows: "Change of beneficiary: Unless the insured makes an
irrevocable designation of beneficiary, the right to change of beneficiary is reserved to the
insured and the consent of the beneficiary or beneficiaries shall not be requisite to surrender or
assignment of this policy or to any change of beneficiary or beneficiaries, or to any other
changes in this policy."
(b) The first clause of this provision, relating to the irrevocable designation of
beneficiary, may be omitted at the insurer's option.

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