Ohio § 3901.41

§ 3901.41.

(A) As used in this section: (1) “ Automated transaction ” has the same meaning as in section 1306.01 of the Revised Code , and includes electronic transactions between two or more persons conducting business

pursuant to the laws of this state relating to insurance. (2) “ Contact point ” means any electronic identification to which messages can be sent, including, but

not limited to, any of the following: (a) An electronic mail address; (b) An instant message identity; (c) A wireless telephone number, or any other personal electronic communication device; (d) A facsimile number. (3) “ Insured ” means a certificate holder, contract owner, customer, policyholder, or subscriber

as those terms are used in the laws of this state relating to insurance. (4) “Insurer” has the same meaning as in section 3901.32 of the Revised Code . (5) “Laws of this state relating to insurance” has the same meaning as in section 3901.04 of the Revised Code . (6) “ Personally identifiable information ” means any individually identifiable information gathered in connection with an insurance

transaction, including a person's name, address, social security number, and banking

information. (7) “ Secure web site ” means a web site that meets both of the following criteria: (a) The web site uses the hypertext transfer protocol secure communication protocol or

other equally secure communication protocol. (b) The web site requires a person to enter a unique user credential to access personally

identifiable information for which the person has the legal right to access. (B) Notwithstanding any laws of this state relating to insurance, sections 1306.01 to 1306.23 of the Revised Code , the “Uniform Electronics Transactions Act,” apply to the business of insurance in

this state. (C)(1) If an insured agrees to conduct the business of insurance via an automated transaction,

any information issued or delivered in writing may be issued or delivered electronically

to a contact point provided by the insured, as long as both of the following apply: (a) The transmission of information is in compliance with sections 1306.07 and 1306.14 of the Revised Code . (b) The details of the automated transaction are fully disclosed to the insured in the

application, policy, certificate, contract of insurance, or by another method that

ensures notice to the insured.  An insurer's form used only to notify an insured of and obtain consent for an automated

transaction does not need to be approved or accepted by the superintendent of insurance. (2)(a) Except for notices of cancellation, nonrenewal, or termination, an insurer may deliver

information via a secure web site if the insurer sends an electronic notice to a contact

point and the electronic notice includes a hyperlink to the secure web site. (b) If an insurer uses a secure web site to deliver changes in terms or conditions in

an insured's policy, certificate, or contract of insurance, including any endorsements

or amendments, the electronic notice to the insured's contact point shall include

all of the following: (i) A list or summary of the changes; (ii) A link to the complete document located on the insurer's secure web site; (iii) The following or substantially similar statement displayed in a prominent manner: “There are changes in the terms or conditions of your policy, certificate, or contract

of insurance.” (3) At a minimum, the details of the automated transaction shall include all of the following: (a) A clear and conspicuous statement informing the insured of any right or option of

the insured to receive a record on paper; (b) The right of the insured to withdraw the insured's consent, and any consequences

or fees if the insured withdraws consent; (c) A description of the procedures the insured must use to withdraw consent and to update

the insured's contact point. (4) Agreement to participate in a part of an automated transaction shall not be used

to confirm the insured's consent to transact the entire business of insurance pursuant

to this section. (5) A withdrawal of consent by an insured shall be effective within a reasonable time

period, not to exceed ten business days after the receipt of the withdrawal by the

insurer. (D) The insurer shall send all notices of cancellation, nonrenewal, termination, or changes

in the terms or conditions of the policy, certificate, or contract of insurance to

the last known contact point supplied by the insured.  If the insurer has knowledge that the insured's contact point is no longer valid,

the insurer shall send the information via regular mail to the last known address

furnished to the insurer by the insured. (E) Any insurer conducting the business of insurance via an automated transaction shall

allow the insurer's insureds who agree to participate in an automated transaction

the option to withdraw consent from participating in the automated transaction. (F) Notwithstanding any laws or regulations of this state relating to insurance, any

policy, certificate, or contract of insurance, including any endorsements or amendments,

that do not contain personally identifiable information may be posted to the insurer's

web site in lieu of any other method of delivery.  If the insurer elects to post any policy, certificate, or contract of insurance

to the insurer's web site, all of the following shall apply: (1) The policy, certificate, or contract of insurance is readily accessible by the insured

and, once the policy, certificate, or contract of insurance is no longer used by the

insurer in this state, it is stored in a readily accessible archive; (2) The policy, certificate, or contract of insurance is posted in such a manner that

the insured can easily identify the insured's applicable policy, certificate, or contract

and print or download the insured's documents without charge and without the use of

any special program or application that is not readily available to the public without

charge; (3) The insurer provides written notice at the time of issuance of the initial policy,

certificate, contract, or any renewal forms of a method by which the insured may obtain

upon request a paper or electronic copy of their policy, certificate, or contract

without charge; (4) The insurer clearly identifies the applicable policy, endorsements, amendments, certificate,

or contract of insurance purchased by the insured on any declaration page, certificate

of insurance, summary of benefits, or other evidence of coverage issued to the insured; (5) The insurer gives notice, in the manner it customarily communicates with an insured,

of any changes to the policy, certificate, or contract of insurance, including any

endorsements or amendments, and of the insured's right to obtain upon request a paper

or electronic copy of the policy, endorsements, or amendments without charge. (G) Notwithstanding any other section of Title XXXIX or Chapters 1739. or 1751. of the

Revised Code or rules adopted thereunder to the contrary, an insurer may deliver any

notices, documents, or information to an insured via an automated transaction pursuant

to this section. (H) This section does not supersede any time periods, filing requirements, or content

of notices, documents, notices to insureds' agents required pursuant to sections 3937.25 , 3937.26 , and 3937.27 of the Revised Code , or information otherwise required by a law other than this section relating to insurance.  This section does not apply to disclosures through electronic media of certificates,

explanation of benefit statements, and other mandated materials under the “Employee

Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,” 88 Stat. 829, 29 U.S.C. 1001 , as amended, and any regulation adopted thereunder. (I) If the consent of an insured to receive certain notices, documents, or information

in an electronic form is on file with an insurer before September 4, 2014, if the

consent was not accompanied by the details of the automated transaction described

in division (C)(3) of this section, and if, pursuant to this section, an insurer intends

to deliver additional notices, documents, or information to that insured in an electronic

form, then, prior to delivering or at the time of delivering such additional notice,

documents, or information electronically, the insurer shall notify the insured of

the details of the automated transaction in compliance with division (C)(3) of this

section. (J)(1) The purchase of a policy of insurance through an online platform shall be considered

an agreement to conduct the business of insurance via an automated transaction under

this section, and the insured shall be considered to have affirmatively consented

to have all notices and documents related to the policy delivered to the insured electronically. (2) Notwithstanding division (J)(1) of this section, if an insured purchasing a policy

of insurance via an online platform requests to receive all notices and documents

in paper format, the insurer shall provide all notices and other documents related

to the policy to the insured in paper format. (3) Nothing in division (J) of this section requires an insurer to offer or otherwise

provide an online platform to conduct the business of insurance. (4) As used in division (J) of this section, “ online platform ” means a web site or other digital application designed to facilitate the purchase

of insurance policies by parties from a licensed insurer. (K) The superintendent of insurance may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of

the Revised Code as the superintendent considers necessary to carry out the purposes

of this section.