14VAC5-141-60. Disability income insurance.
A. Disability income insurance is a policy that provides for weekly or monthly periodic payments for a specified period during the continuance of partial or total disability resulting from either sickness or injury or a combination of the two.
B. Disability income insurance may be filed in combination with the following:
1. Accident only coverage;
2. Accidental death and dismemberment; or
3. Hospital indemnity or fixed indemnity.
C. A disability income policy may contain an elimination period no greater than:
1. 30 days in the case of coverage providing a benefit of one year or less, unless otherwise provided in subsection F of this section;
2. 90 days in the case of coverage providing a benefit of more than one year but not greater than two years; or
3. 180 days in all other cases during the continuance of disability resulting from sickness or injury.
D. A disability income policy shall allow at least 30 days after the date of an accident for a covered loss to start.
E. A disability policy shall cover complications arising out of pregnancy, childbirth, or miscarriage.
F. A disability income individual policy shall contain a minimum period of time for which benefits are paid that is not less than 180 days. A disability income group policy may contain a minimum period of time for which benefits are paid that is not less than 90 days. A policy that is 90 days but less than 180 days may have an elimination period of not more than seven days.
G. If a disability income policy contains a provision for recurrent disabilities, the period of time required between recurrent disabilities shall be no greater than six months.
H. If the insurer terminates a disability income policy, any claim for a covered loss that commenced while the policy was in force shall not be affected, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.
I. If a disability income policy contains a return of premium or cash value benefit, it shall not be reduced by an amount greater than the aggregate of claims paid under the policy. The insurer shall also demonstrate that the reserve basis for the policy is adequate.
J. A rider or endorsement that provides a specific dollar payment to the employer or business that may suffer a financial loss in the event of the disability of a key person may be attached to a disability income policy.
K. If a disability income policy provides coverage for disability from childbirth, it shall provide for a payable benefit of at least 12 weeks immediately following childbirth in accordance with § 38.2-3407.11:4 of the Code of Virginia. No waiting or elimination period shall apply.
Statutory Authority
§ 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 10, eff. January 1, 2023.