Section 50. Failure to acknowledge pertinent communications

A. Every insurer, upon receiving notification of a claim shall, within 10 working days, acknowledge the receipt of such notice unless payment is made within such period of time. If an acknowledgement is made by means other than writing, an appropriate notation of such acknowledgement shall be made in the claim file of the insurer and dated. Notification given by a claimant to an agent of an insurer shall be notification to the insurer.

B. Every insurer, upon receipt of any inquiry from the Commission respecting a claim shall, within 15 working days of receipt of such inquiry, furnish an adequate response to the inquiry.

C. An appropriate reply shall be made within 10 working days on all other pertinent communications from a claimant which reasonably suggest that a response is expected.

D. Every insurer, upon receiving notification of a first party claim, shall promptly provide necessary claim forms, instructions, and reasonable assistance so that first party claimants can comply with the policy conditions and the insurer's reasonable requirements; provided, however, every insurer, upon receiving notification of a third party claim, shall promptly provide the third party claimant with all necessary claim forms. Compliance with this subdivision within 10 working days of notification of a claim shall constitute compliance with subsection A of this section.

Historical Notes

Derived from Regulation 12, Case No. 19961, § 6, eff. September 15, 1978.

Statutory Authority

§ 38.2-510 of the Code of Virginia.