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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 14. Insurance
Agency 5. State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance
Chapter 101. Rules Governing Life and Health Forms Filings
11/23/2024

14VAC5-101-70. Readability.

A. Each form submitted for review or approval shall be written in simplified language, logically and clearly arranged, printed in a legible format, and understandable to a person of average intelligence without special insurance knowledge or training.

B. A policy of more than three pages shall include a table of contents listing the principal sections and provisions and the pages on which they are found.

C. Defined words and terms shall be placed in a separate definition section that is clearly identified. A word or term that is used only in one section may be defined within that section.

D. A policy shall be divided into logically arranged sections with an appropriately named caption or heading for ease in locating desired content. Captions and headings shall be clearly set apart from the general text.

E. Any form submitted for review or approval shall be printed in at least 10-point type size.

F. Any policy shall achieve a minimum Flesch reading ease score of 50 or an equivalent score using another comparable test, unless otherwise specified by statute. The commission may approve an alternative to the Flesch reading ease score if it is determined to be comparable. The Flesch reading ease score shall be identified in the certificate of compliance for each policy.

G. A company may request an exception to the Flesch reading ease score. This request shall identify the specific reasons why the minimum standards have not been met and provide details of the policy's Flesch reading ease score test. The commission may except the policy if, in its sole discretion, it finds that a lower score: (i) will provide a more accurate reflection of the readability of the policy; (ii) is warranted by the nature of a particular policy or type or class of policies; or (iii) is caused by certain policy language that is drafted to conform to the requirements of any state or federal law, regulation, or agency interpretation.

Statutory Authority

§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 9, eff. January 1, 2020.

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