§8-32-1. Purpose.

(a) The purpose of this chapter is to create a framework to regulate service contracts sold to consumers in this state.

(b) The following are exempt from Sections 8-32-2 to 8-32-12, inclusive, of this chapter:

(1) Warranties.

(2) Maintenance agreements.

(3) Warranties, service contracts, or maintenance agreements offered by electric, gas, water, or telephone utilities on their transmission devices.

(4) Service contracts sold or offered for sale in commercial transactions.

(5) Service contracts sold or offered for sale to persons other than consumers.

(6) Service contracts sold at the point of sale, or within 60 days of the original purchase date of the property, which cover tangible property where the tangible property for which the service contract is sold, has a purchase price of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) or less, exclusive of sales tax.

(c) Manufacturer's service contracts on the manufacturer's products and service contracts sold or offered for sale by Alabama electric cooperatives, and their subsidiaries and affiliates, including without limitation, affiliates managed or controlled by electric cooperatives, are required to comply only with Section 8-32-3(a), Section 8-32-3(g), Section 8-32-5(a), Section 8-32-5(d) to (n), inclusive, Section 8-32-6, Section 8-32-10(a), and Section 8-32-10(c) to (f), inclusive, as applicable, of this chapter.

(d) The types of agreements referred to in subsections (b) and (c) are not insurance for any purpose including, without limitation, compliance with the Alabama Insurance Code.

(Acts 1997, No. 97-445, p. 753, §1.)