17:45-6. Provisions required in accident and sick benefit certificates

No certificate providing for specified benefits in the event of sickness or accident disability, or for a cash benefit on accidental death only, shall hereafter be issued to any member by any such association unless it shall contain the following provisions:

a. A provision for two weeks' grace in the payment of fees, dues and contributions and assessments, except initial membership contributions or fees, during which time benefits will continue in force, provided the overdue contributions may be deducted from any benefits which may be payable to such member.

b. A provision that the benefit certificate and the application therefor, if any, provided that a copy thereof is attached to the certificate of membership when issued, together with the by-laws of the association as they then exist shall constitute the entire contract between the association and the member.

c. A provision that in the event that the assets of the association become less than its liabilities including all guarantee, benefit and reserve funds provided for and required by this chapter, the deficiency shall be made good and the trustees may levy an assessment on the members.

d. A provision specifying the time within which notice of accident or disability shall be given, which shall be not less than twenty days from the date of the accident nor less than ten days from the date of the beginning of disability from sickness upon which claim is based, but in case of accidental death immediate notice thereof may be required.

e. A provision that such notice given on behalf of the member or beneficiary, as the case may be, to the association at its home office, or to an agent of the association, with particulars sufficient to identify the member, shall be deemed notice to the association and that failure to give notice of accident or disability within the time provided in the certificate shall not invalidate any claim if it shall be shown not to have been reasonably possible to give such notice and that notice was given as soon as was reasonably possible.

f. A provision that the association may terminate the certificate and benefits provided for therein on the due date of any contribution thereon, provided that the association shall have notified the member, by written notice delivered to him or directed to him by registered mail at his last known address, of its intention to terminate such certificate, at least ten days prior to the date of such termination, but such termination shall be without prejudice to any benefit or claim arising out of disability or sickness beginning or death occurring prior to the date of such termination.