§ 8-32-2 — Definitions

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(1) ADMINISTRATOR. The person designated by a provider to be responsible for the administration of service contracts or the service contracts plan or to make the filings required by this chapter.
(2) COMMISSIONER. The Commissioner of Insurance of this state.
(3) CONSUMER. A natural person who buys, primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, and not for resale, any tangible personal property normally used for personal, family, or household purposes and not for commercial or research purposes.
(4) MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT. A contract of limited duration that provides for scheduled maintenance only.
(5) MANUFACTURER. A person that is one of the following:
a. A manufacturer or producer of property that sells the property under its own name or label.
b. A subsidiary of the person who manufactures or produces the property.
c. A corporation which owns at least 80 percent of the person who manufactures or produces the property.
d. A person who manufactures or produces the property even though the property is sold under the trade name or label of another person.
(6) MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN INSURANCE. For purposes of this chapter, a policy, contract, or agreement issued by an authorized insurance company directly to a consumer or other owner of property that provides for, among other coverages, the repair, replacement, or maintenance of property or indemnification for repair, replacement, or maintenance, for the operational or structural failure of the property due to a defect in materials or workmanship or due to normal wear and tear.
(7) NON-ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER’S PARTS. Replacement parts not made for or by the original manufacturer of the property, commonly referred to as “after market parts.”
(8) PERSON. An individual, partnership, corporation, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint stock company, reciprocal, syndicate, or any other entity, or combination of persons acting in concert.
(9) PREMIUM. The consideration paid to an insurer for a reimbursement insurance policy.
(10) PROVIDER. A person who administers, makes, provides, sells, or offers to sell a service contract, who is contractually obligated to provide service under a service contract.
(11) PROVIDER FEE. The total purchase price paid for a service contract. In cases where a reimbursement insurance policy is issued to a provider, the “provider fee” is the total purchase price paid for a service contract net of the premium.
(12) REIMBURSEMENT INSURANCE POLICY. A policy of insurance issued to a provider pursuant to which the insurer agrees, for the benefit of the service contract holders, to discharge the obligations of the provider under the terms of the service contracts in the event of non-performance by the provider.
(13) ROAD HAZARD. A hazard that is encountered while driving a motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, potholes, rocks, wood debris, metal parts, glass, plastic, curbs, or composite scraps.
(14) SERVICE CONTRACT. A contract or agreement for a separately stated consideration for a specific duration to perform the repair, replacement, or maintenance of property or indemnification for repair, replacement, or maintenance, for the operational or structural failure due to a defect in materials or workmanship, or normal wear and tear, with or without additional provision for incidental payment or indemnity under limited circumstances, for related expenses, including, but not limited to, towing, rental, and emergency road service. Service contracts may provide for the repair, replacement, or maintenance of property for damage resulting from power surges and accidental damage from handling. “Service contract” does not include warranties, mechanical breakdown insurance, or maintenance agreements. A service contract is not insurance for any purpose, including, but not limited to, compliance with the Alabama Insurance Code, other than for the purpose of a service contract holder’s claim against a service contract provider for failure to comply with the provisions of the service contract if so provided by other law. Service contract services include, but are not limited to, the following:
a. The repair or replacement of tires or wheels, or both, on a motor vehicle damaged as a result of coming into contact with a road hazard.
b. The removal of dents, dings, or creases on a motor vehicle that may be repaired using the process of paintless dent removal without affecting the existing paint finish and without replacing vehicle body panels, sanding, bonding, or painting.
c. The repair of chips or cracks in or the replacement of a motor vehicle windshield as a result of damage caused by a road hazard that is primary to the coverage offered by the motor vehicle owner’s motor vehicle insurance policy.
d. The replacement of a motor vehicle key or key-fob if the key or key-fob becomes inoperable, lost, or stolen.
e. Other services which may be approved by the commissioner, if not inconsistent with this chapter.
(15) SERVICE CONTRACT HOLDER or CONTRACT HOLDER. A person who is the purchaser or holder of a service contract.
(16) WARRANTY. A warranty made by the manufacturer, importer, distributor, or seller of property or services without consideration stated separately from the price of the property or services sold, that is not negotiated separate from the sale of the product and is incidental to the sale of the product, that guarantees repair or replacement, or indemnity for repair or replacement, for defective parts, mechanical or electrical breakdown, labor or other remedial measures, such as repair or replacement of the property or repetition of services.

Legislative History

(Acts 1997, No. 97-445, p. 753, §2; Act 2016-101, §1.)