044-21 Wyo. Code R. §§ 21-14 - Identity of Insurer

(a) The name of the actual insurer shall be stated in all of its advertisements. The form number or numbers of the policy advertised shall be stated in an advertisement that is an invitation to contract. An advertisement shall not use a trade name, any insurance group designation, name of the parent company of the insurer, name of a particular division of the insurer, service mark, slogan, symbol, or other device that, without disclosing the name of the actual insurer, would have the capacity and tendency to mislead or deceive as to the true identity of the insurer.

(b) An advertisement shall not use any combination of words, symbols, or physical materials whose content, phraseology, shape, color or other characteristics are so similar to combinations of words, symbols, or physical materials used by agencies of the federal government or of the state of Wyoming, or otherwise appear to be of such a nature that it tends to confuse or mislead prospective insureds into believing the solicitation is in some manner connected with an agency of the municipal, state, or federal government.

(c) Advertisements, envelopes or stationery that employ words, letters, initials, symbols, or other devices similar to those used in governmental agencies or by other insurers are not permitted if they may lead the public to believe:

(i) That the advertised coverages are somehow provided by or endorsed by the governmental agencies or the other insurers; or

(ii) That the advertiser is the same as, is connected with, or is endorsed by the governmental agencies or the other insurers.

(d) An advertisement shall not use the name of a state or political subdivision of a state in a policy name or description.

(e) An advertisement in the form of envelopes or stationery of any kind may not use any name, service mark, slogan, symbol, or any device in a manner implying that the insurer, the policy advertised, or that any agent who may call upon the consumer in response to the advertisement is connected with a governmental agency, such as the Social Security Administration.

(f) An advertisement may not incorporate the word "Medicare" in the plan or policy title advertised unless, wherever it appears, the word is qualified by language differentiating it from Medicare. The advertisement, however, shall not use the phrase "[ ] Medicare Department of the [ ] Insurance Company," or language of similar import.

(g) An advertisement may not imply that the reader may lose a right or privilege or benefit under federal, state, or local law if he or she fails to respond to the advertisement.

(h) Use of letters, initials, or symbols of the corporate name or trademark having the tendency or capacity to mislead or deceive the public as to the true identity of the insurer is prohibited unless the true, correct, and complete name of the insurer is in close conjunction and in the same size type as the letters, initials, or symbols of the corporate name or trademark.

(i) The use of the name of an agency or "[ ] Underwriters" or "[ ] Plan" in a type, size, and location with the capacity and tendency to mislead or deceive as to the true identity of the insurer is prohibited.

(j) The use of an address so as to mislead or deceive as to true identity of the insurer, its location, or licensing status is prohibited.

(k) An insurer shall not use, in the trade name of its insurance policy any terminology or words so similar to the name of a governmental agency or governmental program as to have the tendency to confuse, deceive, or mislead prospective purchasers.

(l) Advertisements used or created by agents, producers, brokers, or solicitors of an insurer shall have prior written approval of the insurer before they may be used.

(m) An agent who makes contact with a consumer, as a result of acquiring that consumer's name from a lead-generating device, shall disclose that fact in the initial contact with the consumer. An agent or insurer may not use names produced from lead-generating devices that do not comply with the requirements of this regulation.

Notes

044-21 Wyo. Code R. §§ 21-14

Amended, Eff. 7/16/2019.