Under California Insurance Code Section 10113.6, which method of delivering a life insurance policy will start the running of the policyowner's cancellation (free-look) period?

Why A is correct

Section 10113.6 specifies how an insurer must deliver a life insurance policy to start the cancellation period: (1) registered or certified mail, (2) personal delivery with a signed written receipt, (3) first-class mail with a signed written receipt, or (4) other reasonable means determined by the Commissioner. If the insurer does not deliver by one of these methods, the burden of proof shifts to the insurer to establish delivery in a dispute with the policyowner. Delivery by an acknowledged method is what triggers the running of the free-look window.

Why the other options are wrong

• B) Leaving the policy without an acknowledgement is not one of the listed acceptable methods. In a dispute, the insurer would bear the burden of proving that delivery actually occurred. Under Section 10113.6, registered or certified mail, or personal delivery with a signed receipt, starts the cancellation period.
• C) An oral summary over the telephone is not delivery of the policy. Delivery by an acceptable means is what triggers the running of the cancellation period under Section 10113.6. Under Section 10113.6, registered or certified mail, or personal delivery with a signed receipt, starts the cancellation period.
• D) The full policy must be delivered by an acceptable method. Sending only the specification page is not delivery of the policy and would not start the cancellation clock. Under Section 10113.6, registered or certified mail, or personal delivery with a signed receipt, starts the cancellation period.

Memory hook

Deliver with proof: registered mail or a signed receipt. No acknowledgement, no clock on the free-look.