Section 26-A399. DEFINITIONS

 

399.1As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed:

 

Automobile Policy - any contract wherein one party called the "company" for a consideration, undertakes to pay money or its equivalent, or to do an act valuable to any other party upon the happening of a hazard or peril insured against whereby the party insured suffers loss or injury or is subject to legal liability for bodily injury, property damage, collision or personal liability, due to the owning or operation of a motor vehicle. "Automobile Policy" shall not include policies of common carriers, nor shall any portion of this regulation apply to common carriers' insurance, nor to any commercial fleet of five vehicles or more.

 

Cancellation - the insurer's termination, or attempted termination, of the effectiveness of a policy before the end of the policy period. Modification of automobile collision, or physical damage, coverage by the inclusion of an additional deductible not exceeding one hundred fifty dollars ($150) shall not be deemed a cancellation of the coverage or of the policy.

 

Nonrenewal or to Nonrenew - the refusal or failure of the insurer to issue a renewal policy unless that insurer has indicated its intention not to renew any policy issued or delivered in the District of Columbia and to withdraw therefrom.

 

Owner's policy - an automobile policy containing the provisions referred to in § 40-473(b), D.C. Code, 1981 ed.

 

Operator's policy - an automobile policy containing the provisions referred to in § 40-473(c), D.C. Code, 1981 ed.

 

Policy - any contract wherein one party called the "company," for a consideration, undertakes to pay money or its equivalent, or to do an act valuable to any other party upon the happening of a hazard or peril within Title 35 of the District of Columbia Code, except as defined in "Automobile Policy" in this section, whereby the party insured suffers loss or injury or is subject to legal liability.

 

Renewal - the issuance and delivery of a policy of comparable terms which replaces, at the end of the policy period, a policy previously issued and delivered by the same insurer to the same named insured.

 

Renewal Policy - a policy of comparable terms to take effect upon the expiration of a policy by which the same insurer provided the same coverage.

 

Commissioner - the Commissioner of Insurance of the District of Columbia or his or her designated agent.

 

Suspension - the revocation, or suspension, for good cause under Title 40 of the District of Columbia Code, or the District of Columbia Traffic and Motor Vehicle Regulations, or the applicable laws of any other jurisdiction of the effectiveness of an operator's permit or a motor vehicle registration, whether such revocation or suspension is permanent or temporary.