58-17-11.1Issuance of policies by insurance company, nonprofit hospital service plan, medical service corporation, or fraternal benefit society--Delivery receipts--Certificates of mailing--Term of retention.

An insurance company, nonprofit hospital service plan, medical service corporation, health maintenance organization, or fraternal benefit society shall issue policies in this state for which an examination period is required in accordance with one of the following methods:

(1)    If the policy is delivered by an insurance producer, a receipt shall be signed by the policyowner acknowledging delivery of the policy. The receipt shall include the policy number and the date of the delivery;

(2)    If the policy is delivered by mail, it shall be sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or a certificate of mailing shall be obtained showing the date the policy was mailed to the policyowner. For policy issuances verified by a certificate of mailing, it is presumed that the policy is received by the policyowner ten days from the date of mailing.

The receipts and the certificates of mailing described in this section shall be retained by the insurer for five years. If a producer obtains the delivery receipt, the producer shall forward the signed delivery receipt to the insurer.

Source: SL 1982, ch 28, § 18; SL 1987, ch 374, § 3; SL 2001, ch 286, § 115; SL 2002, ch 232, § 3.