SUBPART L. VEHICLE MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN INSURERS

§361. Definitions

            As used in this Subpart:

            (1) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of insurance of the state of Louisiana.

            (2) "Credit disability insurance" means insurance on a debtor to provide indemnity for payment becoming due on a specified loan or other credit transaction while the debtor is disabled as defined in the insurance policy or certificate issued to the debtor.

            (3) Repealed by Acts 2018, No. 592, §3, eff. Feb. 1, 2019.

            (4) "Person" means any individual, company, insurer, association, organization, reciprocal or inter-insurance exchange, partnership, business, trust, limited liability company, or corporation which provides vehicle mechanical breakdown insurance in this state.

            (5) "Reinsurer" means a person licensed under this Subpart engaged in the reinsuring of vehicle mechanical reimbursement insurance, residual value insurance, or credit disability insurance policies, or any combination of kinds of insurance.

            (6) "Vehicle" means any vehicle that is required to be titled pursuant to the Vehicle Certificate of Title Law (R.S. 32:701 et seq.).

            (7) "Road hazard" shall include but not be limited to potholes, rocks, curbs, wood debris, other debris, nails, screws, bolts, metal parts, or glass; however, "road hazard" shall not include any damage caused by collision with another vehicle, vandalism, or other causes usually covered under the comprehensive or collision coverages provided by an automobile physical damage policy.

            (8) "Vehicle component coverage contracts" means a contract which provides the owner or purchaser of a motor vehicle with one or more of the following coverages:

            (a) "Paintless dent repair contract" means a contract which provides for the repair of or promises to pay for all or part of the cost to repair or remove dents, dings, or creases from the exterior of the motor vehicle utilizing the paintless dent repair process, provided that a paintless dent repair contract shall not cover sanding, bonding, painting, or the replacement of body panels.

            (b) "Tire and wheel contract" means a contract which promises to pay for all or part of the cost to repair or replace tires and wheels which are damaged due to contact with a road hazard.

            (c) "Windshield contract" means a contract which promises to pay for all or part of the cost of the repair or of the replacement of windshield or window glass on a motor vehicle when the damage to the glass is caused by contact with a road hazard.

            (9) "Vehicle mechanical breakdown insurance policy" means any contract, agreement, or instrument whereby a person other than the owner, seller, or lessor of a vehicle assumes the risk of or the expense or portion thereof for the mechanical breakdown or mechanical failure of a motor vehicle and may include other customer assistance and convenience services, such as vehicle rental assistance, towing assistance, trip interruption, and roadside assistance. The term "vehicle mechanical breakdown insurance policy" shall not include a service contract covering motor vehicles offered pursuant to R.S. 51:3161 et seq.

            (10) "Vehicle mechanical breakdown insurer" means any person or organization, whether domestic, foreign, or alien, issuing or attempting to issue vehicle mechanical breakdown policies or vehicle component coverage contracts as defined herein. The term "vehicle mechanical breakdown insurer" shall not include a provider of service contracts covering motor vehicles offered pursuant to R.S. 51:3161 et seq.

            Added by Acts 1978, No. 520, §1, eff. July 12, 1978. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 638, §1; Acts 1986, No. 848, §1; Acts 2005, No. 100, §1; Redesignated from R.S. 22:1800 by Acts 2008, No. 415, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 503, §1; Acts 2010, No. 194, §1, eff. June 9, 2010; Acts 2017, No. 297, §1, eff. July 1, 2017; Acts 2018, No. 592, §1, eff. Feb. 1, 2019.