(a) An insurer or an insurer's agent or sponsoring organization may not solicit or collect, in connection with an application for insurance or the issuance of a policy, a payment other than:
- (1) a premium;
- (2) a tax;
- (3) a finance charge;
- (4) a policy fee;
- (5) an agent fee;
- (6) a service fee, including a charge for costs described by Section 4005.003;
- (7) an inspection fee; or
- (8) membership dues in a sponsoring organization.
- (b) The commissioner by rule shall permit a sponsoring organization to solicit a voluntary contribution with a membership renewal solicitation if the membership renewal solicitation is separate from an insurance billing.
- (c) Except as otherwise provided by statute, an insurer may require that membership dues in its sponsoring organization be paid as a condition for issuance or renewal of an insurance policy.
- (d) Criminal penalties for a violation of this section are the same as criminal penalties provided for a violation under Subchapter K, Chapter 823.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1274, Sec. 2, eff. April 1, 2005.