2013 Maryland Code
INSURANCE
§ 27-303 - Unfair claim settlement practices -- In general [Subject to amendment effective October 1, 2013; amended version follows this section]

§27-303. IN EFFECT

It is an unfair claim settlement practice and a violation of this subtitle for an insurer or nonprofit health service plan to:

(1) misrepresent pertinent facts or policy provisions that relate to the claim or coverage at issue;

(2) refuse to pay a claim for an arbitrary or capricious reason based on all available information;

(3) attempt to settle a claim based on an application that is altered without notice to, or the knowledge or consent of, the insured;

(4) fail to include with each claim paid to an insured or beneficiary a statement of the coverage under which payment is being made;

(5) fail to settle a claim promptly whenever liability is reasonably clear under one part of a policy, in order to influence settlements under other parts of the policy;

(6) fail to provide promptly on request a reasonable explanation of the basis for a denial of a claim;

(7) fail to meet the requirements of Title 15, Subtitle 10B of this article for preauthorization for a health care service;

(8) fail to comply with the provisions of Title 15, Subtitle 10A of this article; or

(9) fail to act in good faith, as defined under § 27-1001 of this title, in settling a first-party claim under a policy of property and casualty insurance.

27-303. ** TAKES EFFECT OCTOBER 1, 2013 PER CHAPTER 171 OF 2012 **

It is an unfair claim settlement practice and a violation of this subtitle for an insurer or nonprofit health service plan to:

(1) misrepresent pertinent facts or policy provisions that relate to the claim or coverage at issue;

(2) refuse to pay a claim for an arbitrary or capricious reason based on all available information;

(3) attempt to settle a claim based on an application that is altered without notice to, or the knowledge or consent of, the insured;

(4) fail to include with each claim paid to an insured or beneficiary a statement of the coverage under which payment is being made;

(5) fail to settle a claim promptly whenever liability is reasonably clear under one part of a policy, in order to influence settlements under other parts of the policy;

(6) fail to provide promptly on request a reasonable explanation of the basis for a denial of a claim;

(7) fail to meet the requirements of Title 15, Subtitle 10B of this article for preauthorization for a health care service;

(8) fail to comply with the provisions of Title 15, Subtitle 10A of this article;

(9) fail to act in good faith, as defined under § 27-1001 of this title, in settling a first-party claim under a policy of property and casualty insurance; or

(10) fail to comply with the provisions of § 16-118 of this article.

§ 27-303 - Unfair claim settlement practices -- In general (Amendment effective October 1, 2013.)

It is an unfair claim settlement practice and a violation of this subtitle for an insurer or nonprofit health service plan to:

(1) misrepresent pertinent facts or policy provisions that relate to the claim or coverage at issue;

(2) refuse to pay a claim for an arbitrary or capricious reason based on all available information;

(3) attempt to settle a claim based on an application that is altered without notice to, or the knowledge or consent of, the insured;

(4) fail to include with each claim paid to an insured or beneficiary a statement of the coverage under which payment is being made;

(5) fail to settle a claim promptly whenever liability is reasonably clear under one part of a policy, in order to influence settlements under other parts of the policy;

(6) fail to provide promptly on request a reasonable explanation of the basis for a denial of a claim;

(7) fail to meet the requirements of Title 15, Subtitle 10B of this article for preauthorization for a health care service;

(8) fail to comply with the provisions of Title 15, Subtitle 10A of this article;

(9) fail to act in good faith, as defined under § 27-1001 of this title, in settling a first-party claim under a policy of property and casualty insurance; or

(10) fail to comply with the provisions of § 16-118 of this article.