Colorado § 10-1-136 - Insurance policies - language other than English - increasing access for non-English-speaking consumers - definitions.

§ 10-1-136. Insurance policies - language other than English - increasing access for non-English-speaking consumers - definitions.

(1) An insurer may conduct transactions in a language other than English.

(2) An insurer authorized to offer insurance in this state may provide insurance policies, endorsements, riders, and any explanatory or advertising materials in a language other than English. If an insurer opts to provide an insurance policy, endorsement, or rider to the customer in a language other than English, the insurer must also provide the English version at the same time. In the event of a dispute or complaint regarding the insurance or advertising materials, the English language version of the insurance document controls the resolution of the dispute or complaint.

(3) (a) A non-English-language policy delivered or issued for delivery in this state is deemed to comply with articles 4 and 16 of this title 10 if the insurer certifies that the policy is translated:

(I) From an English-language policy that complies with this title 10;

(II) Correctly; and

(III) By a certified translator who has certified that the policy is correctly translated or, if a certified translator is not available to translate the policy from English into a language for which the American Translators Association certifies translators, by a qualified translator who has certified that the policy is correctly translated.

(b) An insurer shall maintain copies of all translated policies, endorsements, riders, and any explanatory or advertising materials and make them available for review by the commissioner upon request.

(3.5) The commissioner shall use councils established within the division, including the producer advisory council and any other councils established by the commissioner, to engage with bilingual insurance producers to discuss the insurance market for non-English-speaking consumers, including ways to increase access to insurance products and services for non-English-speaking consumers.

(4) As used in this section:

(a) "American Translators Association" means the national, nonprofit professional association, or its successor organization, that offers certification for translators.

(b) "Certified translator" means an individual who is certified as a translator by the American Translators Association.

Source: L. 2013: Entire section added, (HB 13-1233), ch. 17, p. 622, § 31, effective August 7. L. 2014: (2) amended, (HB 14-1282), ch. 128, p. 452, § 1, effective August 6. L. 2023: (3) amended and (4) added, (HB 23-1004), ch. 64, p. 228, § 1, effective January 1, 2024. L. 2024: (3.5) added, (HB 24-1440), ch. 320, p. 2142, § 3, effective May 31.