33-22-227. Relation of earnings to insurance. - Montana Statutes

     33-22-227. Relation of earnings to insurance. (1) There may be a provision as follows:
     "Relation of Earnings to Insurance: If the total monthly amount of loss-of-time benefits promised for the same loss under all valid loss-of-time coverage upon the insured, whether payable on a weekly or monthly basis, exceeds the monthly earnings of the insured at the time disability commenced or the insured's average monthly earnings for the period of 2 years immediately preceding a disability for which claim is made, whichever is the greater, the insurer will be liable only for the proportionate amount of benefits under this policy that the amount of the monthly earnings or the average monthly earnings of the insured bears to the total amount of monthly benefits for the same loss under all coverage upon the insured at the time the disability commences and for the return of the part of the premiums paid during the 2 years that exceed the pro rata amount of the premiums for the benefits actually paid under this policy. However, this may not operate to reduce the total monthly amount of benefits payable under all coverage upon the insured below the sum of $200 or the sum of the monthly benefits specified in the coverages, whichever is the lesser, and may not operate to reduce benefits other than those payable for loss of time."
     (2) The policy provision in subsection (1) may be inserted only in a policy that the insured has the right to continue in force subject to its terms by the timely payment of premiums until at least age 50 or, in the case of a policy issued after age 44, for at least 5 years from its date of issue. The insurer may, at its option, include in this provision a definition of "valid loss of time coverage", approved as to form by the commissioner. The definition must be limited in subject matter to coverage provided by governmental agencies or by organizations subject to regulation by insurance law or by insurance authorities of this or any other state of the United States or any province of Canada or to any other coverage the inclusion of which may be approved by the commissioner or any combination of coverages. In the absence of a definition, the term may not include any coverage provided for the insured pursuant to any compulsory benefit statute, including any workers' compensation or employer's liability statute, or benefits provided by union welfare plans or by employer or employee benefit organizations.

     History: En. Sec. 372, Ch. 286, L. 1959; R.C.M. 1947, 40-4022; amd. Sec. 1226, Ch. 56, L. 2009.