33-20-1314. Payment to escrow or trust account -- lump-sum payment. (1) Immediately upon receipt of documents from the policyholder or certificate holder effecting the transfer of the insurance policy or certificate, the viatical settlement provider shall pay the proceeds of the settlement to an escrow or trust account managed by a trustee or escrow agent in a bank approved by the commissioner, pending acknowledgment of the transfer by the issuer of the life insurance policy. The trustee or escrow agent shall transfer the proceeds due to the policyholder or certificate holder immediately upon receipt of acknowledgment of the transfer from the insurer.
     (2) A viatical settlement provider shall make payment of the proceeds of a viatical settlement contract in a lump sum except as provided in this subsection. A viatical settlement provider may not retain any portion of the proceeds. A viatical settlement provider may make installment payments only if the viatical settlement provider has purchased an annuity issued by an authorized insurer or a similar financial instrument issued by a financial institution authorized to engage in the business of a financial institution in this state.
     (3) Failure by the viatical settlement provider to tender the viatical settlement by the date disclosed to the policyholder or certificate holder renders the contract void.

     History: En. Sec. 14, Ch. 298, L. 1997.