Section 500.2246 - Insured or applicant for life insurance policy as victim of domestic violence; refusal to provide coverage prohibited; exceptions; liability; applicability to policies on or after J - Michigan Statutes

THE INSURANCE CODE OF 1956 (EXCERPT)
Act 218 of 1956

500.2246 Insured or applicant for life insurance policy as victim of domestic violence; refusal to provide coverage prohibited; exceptions; liability; applicability to policies on or after June 1, 1998; “domestic violence” defined.

Sec. 2246.

(1) A life insurer that delivers, issues for delivery, or renews in this state a life insurance policy shall not rate, cancel coverage on, refuse to provide coverage for, or refuse to issue or renew a policy solely because an insured or applicant for insurance is or has been a victim of domestic violence.

(2) This section does not prevent any of the following:

(a) An insurer from refusing to issue a life insurance policy insuring an individual who has been the victim of domestic violence if the individual who commits the domestic violence is the applicant for, prospective owner of, or beneficiary under the policy and 1 or more of the following apply:

(i) The applicant, prospective owner, or beneficiary under the policy is known on the basis of police or court records to have committed domestic violence.

(ii) The insurer knows of an arrest or conviction for a domestic violence related offense by the applicant for, prospective owner of, or beneficiary under the policy.

(iii) The insurer has reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant for, prospective owner of, or beneficiary under the policy is committing domestic violence.

(b) An insurer from inquiring about, underwriting, or charging a different premium on the basis of the individual's physical or mental condition, regardless of the cause of the condition.

(c) An insurer from refusing to issue a life insurance policy if the applicant for, prospective owner of, or beneficiary under the policy does not have an insurable interest in the life of the prospective insured individual.

(3) An insurer shall not be held civilly liable for any cause of action that may result from compliance with this section.

(4) This section applies to all life insurance policies issued or renewed on or after June 1, 1998.

(5) As used in this section, “domestic violence” means inflicting bodily injury, causing serious emotional injury or psychological trauma, or placing in fear of imminent physical harm by threat or force a person who is a spouse or former spouse of, has or has had a dating relationship with, resides or has resided with, or has a child in common with the person committing the violence.

History: Add. 1998, Act 130, Imd. Eff. June 24, 1998
Popular Name: Act 218