58-2-255. Electronic insurance communications and records.
(a) Definitions. - As used in this section:
(1) "Communications" means notices, offers, disclosures, documents, forms, information, and correspondence required or permitted to be provided to a party in writing under the insurance laws of this State or that are otherwise provided by an insurer, including, but not limited to, notices pertaining to the cancellation, termination, or nonrenewal of insurance.
(2) "Delivered by electronic means" includes any of the following:
a. Delivery to an electronic mail address or an electronic account at which a party has consented to receive electronic communications.
b. Displaying information, or a link to information, as an essential step to completing the transaction to which such information relates.
c. Providing notice to a party at the electronic mail address or an electronic account at which the party has consented to receive notice of the posting of a communication on an electronic network or site.
(3) "Insurer" has the same meaning as in G.S. 58-1-5(3).
(4) "Party" means a recipient of any communications defined in this section. "Party" includes an applicant, policyholder, insured, claimant, member, provider, or beneficiary.
(b) When any insurance law of this State requires a communication to be provided to a party in writing, signed by a party, provided by means of a specific delivery method, or retained by an insurer, those requirements are satisfied if the insurer complies with Article 40 of Chapter 66 of the General Statutes.
(c) Verification of communications delivered by electronic means shall constitute proof of mailing in civil and administrative proceedings and under the insurance laws of this State.
(d) Nothing in this section affects requirements related to the content or timing of any communication required under the insurance laws of this State.
(e) A recording of an oral communication between an insurer and a party that is reliably stored and reproduced by an insurer shall constitute an electronic communication or record. When a communication is required under the insurance laws of this State to be provided in writing, the communication provided in accordance with this subsection shall satisfy the requirement that the communication be in writing. When a communication is required under the insurance laws of this State to be signed, a recorded oral communication in which a party agrees to the terms stated in the oral communication shall satisfy the requirement. (2013-413, s. 13(b); 2017-150, s. 2.)
Structure North Carolina General Statutes
North Carolina General Statutes
Article 2 - Commissioner of Insurance.
§ 58-2-1 - Department established.
§ 58-2-5 - Commissioner's election and term of office.
§ 58-2-10 - Salary of Commissioner.
§ 58-2-15 - Chief deputy commissioner.
§ 58-2-25 - Other deputies, actuaries, examiners and employees.
§ 58-2-30 - Appointments of committees or councils.
§ 58-2-31 - Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program.
§ 58-2-35 - Seal of Department.
§ 58-2-40 - Powers and duties of Commissioner.
§ 58-2-45 - Orders of Commissioner; when writing required.
§ 58-2-50 - Examinations, hearings, and investigations.
§ 58-2-52 - Appeals and rate-making hearings before the Commissioner.
§ 58-2-53 - Filing approvals and disapprovals; clarification of law.
§ 58-2-55 - Designated hearing officers.
§ 58-2-60 - Restraining orders; criminal convictions.
§ 58-2-65 - License surrenders.
§ 58-2-70 - Civil penalties or restitution for violations; administrative procedure.
§ 58-2-75 - Court review of orders and decisions.
§ 58-2-80 - Court review of rates and classification.
§ 58-2-85 - Procedure on appeal under § 58-2-80.
§ 58-2-90 - Extent of review under § 58-2-80.
§ 58-2-95 - Commissioner to supervise local inspectors.
§ 58-2-100 - Office of Commissioner a public office; records, etc., subject to inspection.
§ 58-2-105 - Confidentiality of medical and credentialing records.
§ 58-2-110 - Original documents and certified copies as evidence.
§ 58-2-115 - Admissibility of certificate as evidence of agent's authority.
§ 58-2-120 - Reports of Commissioner to the Governor and General Assembly.
§ 58-2-121 - Report of Department to General Assembly committees on various relief funds.
§ 58-2-125 - Authority over all insurance companies; no exemptions from license.
§ 58-2-128 - Interagency consultation.
§ 58-2-131 - Examinations to be made; authority, scope, scheduling, and conduct of examinations.
§ 58-2-132 - Examination reports.
§ 58-2-133 - Conflict of interest; cost of examinations; immunity from liability.
§ 58-2-134 - Cost of certain examinations.
§ 58-2-136 - Insurer records sent to Department for examination; expenses.
§ 58-2-150 - Oath required for compliance with law.
§ 58-2-155 - Investigation of charges.
§ 58-2-161 - False statement to procure or deny benefit of insurance policy or certificate.
§ 58-2-162 - Embezzlement by insurance producers or administrators.
§ 58-2-163 - Report to Commissioner.
§ 58-2-164 - Rate evasion fraud; prevention programs.
§ 58-2-165 - Annual, semiannual, monthly, or quarterly statements to be filed with Commissioner.
§ 58-2-171 - Qualifications of actuaries.
§ 58-2-180 - Punishment for making false statement.
§ 58-2-185 - Record of business kept by companies and insurance producers; Commissioner may inspect.
§ 58-2-190 - Commissioner may require special reports.
§ 58-2-200 - Books and papers required to be exhibited.
§ 58-2-205 - CPA audits of financial statements.
§ 58-2-210 - Rules for mortgage insurance consolidations.
§ 58-2-215 - Consumer Protection Fund.
§ 58-2-230 - Commissioner to share information with Department of Labor.
§ 58-2-240 - Market conduct analysis, financial analysis, and related information not public record.
§ 58-2-245 - Access to employer taxpayer identification numbers contained in public documents.
§ 58-2-250 - Electronic filings.
§ 58-2-255 - Electronic insurance communications and records.