NRS: CHAPTER 679A - GENERAL PROVISIONS

NRS 679A.190 Disciplinary proceeding, fine and penalty authorized after expiration or voluntary surrender of license or certificate issued pursuant to Code.

NRS 679A.200 Prohibiting fee to include provider of health care on panel of providers; penalty; award of costs and attorney’s fees.

NRS 679A.210 Prohibited provisions in policy of liability insurance relating to costs of defense, legal costs and fees and other expenses for claims.

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NRS 679A.010 Short title. This title shall be known and may be cited as the Nevada Insurance Code.

(Added to NRS by 1971, 1557)

NRS 679A.020 Definitions. As used in this Code, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 679A.030 to 679A.130, inclusive, have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.

(Added to NRS by 1971, 1557; A 1983, 1933; 1991, 1613; 1993, 1897; 2001, 2179; 2013, 3597)

NRS 679A.030 “Authorized” and “unauthorized” insurer defined.

1. An “authorized” insurer is one authorized to transact insurance or reinsurance in this State under a subsisting certificate of authority issued by the Commissioner.

2. An “unauthorized” insurer is one not so authorized.

(Added to NRS by 1971, 1557; A 1987, 641)

NRS 679A.040 “Bona fide resident” defined. “Bona fide resident” means a person who actually resides in this state with domiciliary intent.

(Added to NRS by 1971, 1558)

NRS 679A.050 “Code” defined. “Code” means the Nevada Insurance Code.

(Added to NRS by 1971, 1558)

NRS 679A.060 “Commissioner” defined. “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Insurance.

(Added to NRS by 1971, 1558)

NRS 679A.075 “Crash” defined. The term “crash” has the same meaning as an incident or event previously referred to as an “accident” when used in reference to motor vehicles.

(Added to NRS by 2015, 1694)

NRS 679A.085 “Division” defined. “Division” means the Division of Insurance of the Department of Business and Industry.

(Added to NRS by 1993, 1897)

NRS 679A.090 “Domestic,” “foreign” and “alien” insurer defined.

1. A “domestic” insurer is one:

(a) Formed under the laws of Nevada, unless it has converted into a foreign insurer; or

(b) Which has converted into a domestic insurer.

2. A “foreign” insurer is one:

(a) Formed under the laws of any jurisdiction other than this state, unless it has converted into a domestic insurer; or

(b) Which has converted into a foreign insurer.

3. An “alien” insurer is one formed under the laws of any country other than the United States of America or any of its states.

4. Except where distinguished by context, “foreign” insurer includes also “alien” insurer.

(Added to NRS by 1971, 1558; A 1983, 683)

NRS 679A.092 “Federal Act” defined. “Federal Act” means the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148, as amended by the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Public Law 111-152, and any amendments to, or regulations or guidance issued pursuant to, those acts.

(Added to NRS by 2013, 3596)

NRS 679A.094 “Grandfathered plan” defined. “Grandfathered plan” means a health benefit plan that meets the requirements of 42 U.S.C. § 18011.

(Added to NRS by 2013, 3597)

NRS 679A.095 “Hospice care” defined. “Hospice care” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 449.0115.

(Added to NRS by 1983, 1933; A 1989, 1031)

NRS 679A.097 “Individual” defined. An “individual” is a natural person.

(Added to NRS by 1971, 1559; A 1985, 537)

NRS 679A.100 “Insurer” defined. “Insurer” includes every person engaged as principal and as indemnitor, surety or contractor in the business of entering into contracts of insurance.

(Added to NRS by 1971, 1558)

NRS 679A.112 “Policy” defined. “Policy” means the written contract of or written agreement for or effecting insurance, by whatever name called, and includes all clauses, riders, endorsements and papers which are a part thereof.

(Added to NRS by 1981, 1141)

NRS 679A.115 “Premium” defined. “Premium” means the consideration for insurance, by whatever name called. The term includes any “assessment,” or any “membership,” “policy,” “survey,” “inspection,” “service” or similar fee or other charge assessed or collected by the insurer or an agent of the insurer in consideration for an insurance contract or its procurement.

(Added to NRS by 1981, 1141)

NRS 679A.117 “Producer of insurance” defined. “Producer of insurance” means a person required to be licensed under the laws of this state to sell, solicit or negotiate insurance.

(Added to NRS by 2001, 2179)

NRS 679A.118 “Provider of insurance” defined. “Provider of insurance” includes an insurer, producer of insurance, managing general agent, third-party administrator, organization composed of or using preferred providers of health care, health maintenance organization, commercial bank, trust company, savings and loan association, savings bank, credit union, thrift company, financial holding company, affiliate or subsidiary of an insurer or financial holding company, broker-dealer in securities, mortgage lender, and any other person engaged in the business of insurance.

(Added to NRS by 2001, 2179)

NRS 679A.119 “Rating characteristic” defined. “Rating characteristic” means age, family composition, tobacco use or geographic rating area.

(Added to NRS by 2013, 3597)

NRS 679A.120 “State” defined. When used in context signifying a jurisdiction other than the State of Nevada, “state” means any state, district, commonwealth, territory or possession of the United States of America.

(Added to NRS by 1971, 1559; A 1983, 154)

NRS 679A.130 “Transacting insurance” defined. In addition to other aspects of insurance operations to which provisions of this Code by their terms apply, “transact” with respect to a business of insurance includes any of the following, by mail or otherwise or whether or not for the purpose of profit:

1. Solicitation or inducement.

2. Negotiations.

3. Effectuation of a contract of insurance.

4. Transaction of matters subsequent to effectuation and arising out of such a contract.

(Added to NRS by 1971, 1559)

NRS 679A.140 Purposes; construction.

1. The purposes of this Code are to:

(a) Protect policyholders and all having an interest under insurance policies;

(b) Implement the public interest in the business of insurance;

(c) Provide adequate standards of solidity of insurers, and of integrity and competence in conduct of their affairs in the home offices and in the field;

(d) Improve and thereby preserve state regulation of insurance;

(e) Insure that policyholders, claimants and insurers are treated fairly and equitably;

(f) Encourage full cooperation of the office of Commissioner with other regulatory bodies, both of this and other states and of the Federal Government;

(g) Insure that the State has an adequate and healthy insurance market characterized by competitive conditions and the exercise of initiative;

(h) Prevent misleading, unfair and monopolistic practices in insurance operations; and

(i) Continue to provide the State of Nevada with a comprehensive, modern and adequate body of law, in response to the McCarran Act (Public Law 15, 79th Congress, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1011 to 1015, inclusive), for the effective regulation and supervision of insurance business transacted within, or affecting interests of the people of this state.

2. The provisions of this Code shall be given reasonable and liberal construction for the fulfillment of these purposes.

(Added to NRS by 1971, 1559)

NRS 679A.150 Compliance required. No person shall transact a business of insurance in Nevada, or relative to a subject of insurance resident, located or to be performed in Nevada or elsewhere, without complying with the applicable provisions of this Code.

(Added to NRS by 1971, 1560)

NRS 679A.160 Application of Code to particular types of insurers. Except as otherwise provided by specific statute, no provision of this Code applies to:

1. Fraternal benefit societies, as identified in chapter 695A of NRS, except as stated in chapter 695A of NRS.

2. Hospital, medical or dental service corporations, as identified in chapter 695B of NRS, except as stated in chapter 695B of NRS.

3. Motor clubs, as identified in chapter 696A of NRS, except as stated in chapter 696A of NRS.

4. Bail agents, as identified in chapter 697 of NRS, except as stated in NRS 680B.025 to 680B.039, inclusive, and chapter 697 of NRS.

5. Risk retention groups, as identified in chapter 695E of NRS, except as stated in chapter 695E of NRS.

6. Captive insurers, as identified in chapter 694C of NRS, with respect to their activities as captive insurers, except as stated in chapter 694C of NRS.

7. Health and welfare plans arising out of collective bargaining under chapter 288 of NRS, except that the Commissioner may review the plan to ensure that the benefits are reasonable in relation to the premiums and that the fund is financially sound.

8. Programs established pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 315.725 and the entities administering those programs, except as stated in NRS 315.725.

(Added to NRS by 1971, 1560; A 1971, 1931; 1983, 712; 1987, 1333; 1993, 2381; 1995, 467; 1997, 299, 3374; 1999, 3217; 2011, 581)

NRS 679A.165 Required manner of obtaining insurance. A person who is required by statute to obtain insurance or any other type of security as a condition of licensure or conducting business must obtain the insurance or other security in the manner set forth in NRS 277.067, 277.069, 277.0695 or 315.725 or from an insurer who is licensed or otherwise allowed to transact insurance under this title.

(Added to NRS by 1993, 2380; A 2011, 581)

NRS 679A.170 Particular provisions prevail. Provisions of this Code relative to a particular kind of insurance or type of insurer or particular matter shall prevail over provisions relating to insurance in general or insurers in general or to such matter in general.

(Added to NRS by 1971, 1560)

NRS 679A.180 General penalty; penalty in addition to administrative discipline.

1. Unless the same is defined as a felony under any other law of this state, or punishment provided therefor classifies it otherwise, every violation of any provision of this Code is a misdemeanor.

2. Every penalty imposed by this Code shall be in addition to any applicable suspension, revocation or denial of a license or certificate of authority.

(Added to NRS by 1971, 1560)

NRS 679A.190 Disciplinary proceeding, fine and penalty authorized after expiration or voluntary surrender of license or certificate issued pursuant to Code. The expiration or voluntary surrender of a license or certificate issued pursuant to the provisions of this Code does not:

1. Prohibit the Commissioner from initiating or continuing a disciplinary proceeding against the holder of the license or certificate; or

2. Prevent the imposition or collection of any fine or penalty authorized pursuant to the provisions of this Code against the holder of the license or certificate.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2783)

NRS 679A.200 Prohibiting fee to include provider of health care on panel of providers; penalty; award of costs and attorney’s fees.

1. If an organization establishes a panel of providers of health care and makes the panel available for use by an insurer when offering health care services pursuant to chapter 689A, 689B, 689C, 695A, 695B or 695C of NRS, the organization shall not charge the insurer or a provider of health care:

(a) A fee to include the name of the provider on the panel of providers of health care; or

(b) Any other fee related to establishing a provider of health care as a provider for the organization.

2. If an organization violates the provisions of subsection 1, the organization shall pay to the insurer or provider of health care, as appropriate, an amount that is equal to twice the fee charged to the insurer or provider of health care.

3. A court shall award costs and reasonable attorney’s fees to the prevailing party in an action brought pursuant to this section.

4. In addition to any relief granted pursuant to this section, if an organization violates the provisions of subsection 1, and if an insurer offering health care services pursuant to chapter 689A, 689B, 689C, 695A, 695B or 695C of NRS has a contract with or otherwise uses the services of the organization, the Division shall require the insurer to suspend its performance under the contract or discontinue using those services until the organization, as determined by the Division:

(a) Complies with the provisions of subsection 1; and

(b) Refunds to all providers of health care any fees obtained by the organization in violation of subsection 1.

(Added to NRS by 2003, 3349)

NRS 679A.210 Prohibited provisions in policy of liability insurance relating to costs of defense, legal costs and fees and other expenses for claims. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an insurer, including, without limitation, an insurer listed in NRS 679A.160, shall not issue or renew a policy of liability insurance that contains a provision that:

1. Reduces the limit of liability stated in the policy by the costs of defense, legal costs and fees and other expenses for claims; or

2. Otherwise limits the availability of coverage for the costs of defense, legal costs and fees and other expenses for claims.

(Added to NRS by 2023, 1110)