58-58-23. Standard provisions for annuity and pure endowment contracts.

No annuity or pure endowment contract, except a reversionary or survivorship annuity and except a group annuity contract, shall be delivered or issued for delivery in this State unless it contains in substance the following provisions or provisions that in the opinion of the Commissioner are more favorable to the holders of the contracts:

(1) Grace period. - A provision for a grace period of not less than 31 days within which any stipulated payment to the insurer falling due after the first payment may be made. During the grace period, the contract shall continue in full force. If a claim arises under the contract because of death before the expiration of the grace period and before the overdue payment to the insurer is made, the amount of the payments, with interest on any overdue payments, may be deducted from any amount payable under the contract.

(2) Incontestability. - If any statements are required as a condition of issue, there shall be a provision that the contract shall be incontestable during the lifetime of the person or of each of the persons as to whom the statements are required after it has been in force for a period of two years after its date of issue, except for nonpayment of stipulated payments to the insurer.

(3) Misstatements of age or gender. - A provision that if the age or gender of any person upon whose life the contract is made has been misstated, the amount payable or benefits accruing under the contract shall be such as the stipulated payment or payments to the insurer would have been according to the correct age or gender; and if the insurer makes an overpayment because of the misstatement, that amount with interest at the rate specified in the contract may be charged against any current or subsequent payment by the insurer under the contract.

(4) Reinstatement. - A provision that the contract may be reinstated at any time within one year after a default in making stipulated payments to the insurer, unless the cash surrender value has been paid; but all overdue stipulated payments and any indebtedness to the insurer on the contract shall be paid or reinstated with interest at a rate specified in the contract. When applicable, the insurer may also require evidence of insurability satisfactory to the insurer.