Every individual and group long-term care policy and certificate under a group long-term care policy shall be either guaranteed renewable or noncancelable.
(a) “Guaranteed renewable” means that the insured has the right to continue coverage in force if premiums are timely paid during which period the insurer may not unilaterally change the terms of coverage or decline to renew, except that the insurer may, in accordance with provisions in the policy, and in accordance with Section 10236.1, change the premium rates to all insureds in the same class. The “class” is determined by the insurer for the purpose of setting rates at the time the policy is issued.
(b) “Noncancelable” means the insured has the right to continue the coverage in force if premiums are timely paid during which period the insurer may not unilaterally change the terms of coverage, decline to renew, or change the premium rate.
(c) Every long-term care policy and certificate shall contain an appropriately captioned renewability provision on page one, which shall clearly describe the initial term of coverage, the conditions for renewal, and, if guaranteed renewable, a description of the class and of each circumstance under which the insurer may change the premium amount.
(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 159, Sec. 148. Effective January 1, 2002.)