A new owner of an individual accident and sickness policy reviews the coverage and decides not to keep it. Under Va. Code § 38.2-3502, for how long after receiving the policy may the insured return it for a refund of the premium paid?

Why C is correct

Va. Code § 38.2-3502 gives the owner of an individual accident and sickness policy a right to examine — a free look — of 10 days from receipt of the policy. Returning the policy within that window entitles the insured to a prompt refund of the premium, and the policy is treated as void from the beginning. The right-to-examine notice must appear on the policy's first page so buyers know the deadline. This 10-day A&H window is a distinctive Virginia number and must not be confused with the longer free-look periods Virginia gives other products.

Why the other options are wrong

• A) 31 days is the A&H grace period for premium modes other than weekly and monthly, not the free-look period.
• B) 45 days is the automatic reinstatement date after a conditional receipt is mailed, unrelated to the right to examine.
• D) 30 days is the free-look period for other product lines, not for individual accident and sickness policies, which get 10 days.

Memory hook

Ten days to change your mind on an A&H policy — refund prompt, policy void.