§ 27-4.1-4. "Legal services insurance" defined. "Legal services insurance" is insurance which involves the assumption of a contractual obligation to reimburse the beneficiary against or pay on behalf of the beneficiary all or a portion of his or her fees, costs, or expenses related to or arising out of services performed by or under the supervision of an attorney who is not an employee of or under the control of the insurer directly or indirectly and who is licensed to practice in the state of Rhode Island or any other state where the attorney provides these services. "Legal services insurance" may also include provisions for basic legal services rendered to the beneficiary, by telephone or mail, by one or more attorneys licensed to practice in the state of Rhode Island or any other state where the attorney provides these basic legal services none of whom are employees of or under the control of the insurer directly or indirectly. "Legal services insurance" does not include the provision of or reimbursement for legal services incidental to other insurance coverage. Beneficiaries of legal services shall not be required to select an attorney other than one of the beneficiary's own choosing except for basic legal advice rendered by telephone or mail as described in this section. Attorneys providing basic legal advice rendered by telephone or mail under legal insurance policies shall refer all beneficiaries to an attorney of the beneficiary's choice for other than basic legal services and shall be prohibited from taking any of these referrals.

History of Section. (P.L. 1986, ch. 431, § 1.)