California Senate Bill SB251 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: SB 251AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN SENATE MARCH 18, 2013 INTRODUCED BY Senator Calderon FEBRUARY 12, 2013 An act to amend Section  38.5   1633.3 of the Civil Code, and to amend Sections 10083, 10086, and 10087  of the Insurance Code, relating to insurance. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 251, as amended, Calderon. Insurance: notice: electronic transmission. Existing law authorizes any written notice required to be given or mailed to any person by an insurer relating to any insurance on risks or on operations in this state, with exceptions, to be provided by electronic transmission if each party has agreed to conduct the transaction by electronic means, as provided.  This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.   Existing law prohibits residential property insurer's from issuing or delivering property insurance without offering earthquake coverage. The offer of coverage is authorized to be made prior to, concurrent with, or within 60 days following the issuance or renewal of a residential property insurance policy. If the offer of coverage is mailed to the named insured or applicant, it is required to be mailed to the mailing address shown on the policy of residential property insurance or on the application.   This bill would authorize the offer of earthquake coverage to be made electronically, as provided.   Existing law authorizes an earthquake insurer, at any renewal, to modify the terms and conditions of an existing policy, rider, or endorsement, and that if the insurer modifies the terms and conditions of an existing policy, rider, or endorsement, the insurer is required to provide the insured with the renewal notice in a stand-alone disclosure document stating the changes in the terms and conditions of the insured's existing policy, rider, or endorsement. Existing law also provides that, if an offer of earthquake coverage is not accepted, the insurer or any affiliated insurer is required to offer earthquake coverage every other year in connection with any continuation, renewal, or reinstatement of the policy following any lapse, or with respect to any other policy that extends, changes, supersedes, or replaces the policy of residential property insurance.   This bill would authorize the renewal notice for earthquake coverage and the offer of earthquake coverage required to be made every other year to be made electronically, as provided.   This bill would also delete obsolete cross-references and make conforming changes.  Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:  SECTION 1.   Section 1633.3 of the   Civil Code   , as amended by Section 1 of Chapter 433 of the Statutes of 2009, is amended to read:  1633.3. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), this title applies to electronic records and electronic signatures relating to a transaction. (b) This title does not apply to transactions subject to the following laws: (1) A law governing the creation and execution of wills, codicils, or testamentary trusts. (2) Division 1 (commencing with Section 1101) of the Uniform Commercial Code, except Sections  1107 and  1206  and 1306 . (3) Divisions 3 (commencing with Section 3101), 4 (commencing with Section 4101), 5 (commencing with Section 5101), 8 (commencing with Section 8101), 9 (commencing with Section 9101), and 11 (commencing with Section 11101) of the Uniform Commercial Code. (4) A law that requires that specifically identifiable text or disclosures in a record or a portion of a record be separately signed, including initialed, from the record. However, this paragraph does not apply to Section 1677 or 1678 of this code or Section 1298 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (c) This title does not apply to any specific transaction described in Section 17511.5 of the Business and Professions Code, Section 56.11, 56.17, 798.14, 1133, or 1134 of, Sections 1350 to 1376, inclusive, of, Section 1689.6, 1689.7, or 1689.13 of, Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 1695) of Title 5 of Part 2 of Division 3 of, Section 1720, 1785.15, 1789.14, 1789.16,  1789.33,  or 1793.23 of, Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1801) of Title 2 of Part 4 of Division 3 of, Section 1861.24, 1862.5, 1917.712, 1917.713, 1950.5, 1950.6, 1983, 2924b, 2924c, 2924f, 2924i, 2924j, 2924.3, or 2937 of, Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 2945) of Chapter 2 of Title 14 of Part 4 of Division 3 of, Section 2954.5 or 2963 of, Chapter 2b (commencing with Section 2981) or 2d (commencing with Section 2985.7) of Title 14 of Part 4 of Division 3 of, or Section 3071.5 of, the Civil Code, subdivision (b) of Section 18608 or Section 22328 of the Financial Code, Section 1358.15, 1365, 1368.01, 1368.1, 1371, or 18035.5 of the Health and Safety Code, Section 662, 663, 664, 667.5, 673, 677, 678, 678.1, 786,  10086,  10113.7, 10127.7, 10127.9, 10127.10,  10197,  10199.44, 10199.46, 10235.16, 10235.40, 10509.4, 10509.7, 11624.09, or 11624.1 of the Insurance Code, Section 779.1, 10010.1, or 16482 of the Public Utilities Code, or Section 9975 or 11738 of the Vehicle Code. An electronic record may not be substituted for any notice that is required to be sent pursuant to Section 1162 of the Code of Civil Procedure. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to prohibit the recordation of any document with a county recorder by electronic means. (d) This title applies to an electronic record or electronic signature otherwise excluded from the application of this title under subdivision (b) when used for a transaction subject to a law other than those specified in subdivision (b). (e) A transaction subject to this title is also subject to other applicable substantive law. (f) The exclusion of a transaction from the application of this title under subdivision (b) or (c) shall be construed only to exclude the transaction from the application of this title, but shall not be construed to prohibit the transaction from being conducted by electronic means if the transaction may be conducted by electronic means under any other applicable law.  SEC. 2.   Section 1633.3 of the   Civil Code   , as amended by Section 36 of Chapter 181 of the Statutes of 2012, is   amended to read:  1633.3. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), this title applies to electronic records and electronic signatures relating to a transaction. (b) This title does not apply to transactions subject to the following laws: (1) A law governing the creation and execution of wills, codicils, or testamentary trusts. (2) Division 1 (commencing with Section 1101) of the Uniform Commercial Code, except Sections  1107 and  1206  and 1306  . (3) Divisions 3 (commencing with Section 3101), 4 (commencing with Section 4101), 5 (commencing with Section 5101), 8 (commencing with Section 8101), 9 (commencing with Section 9101), and 11 (commencing with Section 11101) of the Uniform Commercial Code. (4) A law that requires that specifically identifiable text or disclosures in a record or a portion of a record be separately signed, including initialed, from the record. However, this paragraph does not apply to Section 1677 or 1678 of this code or Section 1298 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (c) This title does not apply to any specific transaction described in Section 17511.5 of the Business and Professions Code, Section 56.11, 56.17, 798.14, 1133, or 1134 of, Section 1689.6, 1689.7, or 1689.13 of, Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 1695) of Title 5 of Part 2 of Division 3 of, Section 1720, 1785.15, 1789.14, 1789.16,  1789.33,  or 1793.23 of, Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1801) of Title 2 of Part 4 of Division 3 of, Section 1861.24, 1862.5, 1917.712, 1917.713, 1950.5, 1950.6, 1983, 2924b, 2924c, 2924f, 2924i, 2924j, 2924.3, or 2937 of, Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 2945) of Chapter 2 of Title 14 of Part 4 of Division 3 of, Section 2954.5 or 2963 of, Chapter 2b (commencing with Section 2981) or 2d (commencing with Section 2985.7) of Title 14 of Part 4 of Division 3 of, Section 3071.5 of, or Part 5 (commencing with Section 4000) of Division 4 of, the Civil Code, subdivision (b) of Section 18608 or Section 22328 of the Financial Code, Section 1358.15, 1365, 1368.01, 1368.1, 1371, or 18035.5 of the Health and Safety Code, Section 662, 663, 664, 667.5, 673, 677, 678, 678.1, 786,  10086,  10113.7, 10127.7, 10127.9, 10127.10,  10197,  10199.44, 10199.46, 10235.16, 10235.40, 10509.4, 10509.7, 11624.09, or 11624.1 of the Insurance Code, Section 779.1, 10010.1, or 16482 of the Public Utilities Code, or Section 9975 or 11738 of the Vehicle Code. An electronic record may not be substituted for any notice that is required to be sent pursuant to Section 1162 of the Code of Civil Procedure. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to prohibit the recordation of any document with a county recorder by electronic means. (d) This title applies to an electronic record or electronic signature otherwise excluded from the application of this title under subdivision (b) when used for a transaction subject to a law other than those specified in subdivision (b). (e) A transaction subject to this title is also subject to other applicable substantive law. (f) The exclusion of a transaction from the application of this title under subdivision (b) or (c) shall be construed only to exclude the transaction from the application of this title, but shall not be construed to prohibit the transaction from being conducted by electronic means if the transaction may be conducted by electronic means under any other applicable law.  SEC. 3.   Section 10083 of the   Insurance Code   is amended to read:  10083. (a) The offer of coverage required by Section 10081 may be made prior to, concurrent with, or within 60 days following the issuance or renewal of a residential property insurance policy. If the offer of coverage is mailed to the named insured or applicant, it shall be mailed to the mailing address shown on the policy of residential property insurance or on the application.  The offer may be made electronically pursuant to Section 38.5.  The offer of earthquake coverage shall contain the following language in at least 10-point boldface type: YOUR POLICY DOES NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE AGAINST THE PERIL OF EARTHQUAKE. CALIFORNIA LAW REQUIRES THAT EARTHQUAKE COVERAGE BE OFFERED TO YOU AT YOUR OPTION. WARNING: THESE COVERAGES MAY DIFFER SUBSTANTIALLY FROM AND PROVIDE LESS PROTECTION THAN THE COVERAGE PROVIDED BY YOUR HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE POLICY. THERE ARE EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS SUCH AS OUTBUILDINGS, SWIMMING POOLS, MASONRY FENCES, AND MASONRY CHIMNEYS. THIS DISCLOSURE FORM CONTAINS ONLY A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF COVERAGES AND IS NOT PART OF YOUR EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE POLICY. ONLY THE SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF YOUR POLICY WILL DETERMINE WHETHER A PARTICULAR LOSS IS COVERED AND, IF SO, THE AMOUNT PAYABLE. THE COVERAGE, SUBJECT TO POLICY PROVISIONS, MAY BE PURCHASED AT ADDITIONAL COST ON THE FOLLOWING TERMS: (A) AMOUNT OF DWELLING COVERAGE: ____ (B) APPLICABLE DEDUCTIBLE: ____ IF YOUR LOSS IS BELOW THIS AMOUNT, YOU MAY NOT RECEIVE ANY PAYMENT FROM YOUR COVERAGE. YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY OR AGENT WILL PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE AS TO HOW THE DEDUCTIBLE APPLIES TO THE MARKET VALUE OF YOUR COVERAGE, THE INSURED VALUE OF YOUR COVERAGE, OR THE REPLACEMENT VALUE OF YOUR COVERAGE. (C) CONTENTS COVERAGE: ____ IF YOUR LOSS DOES NOT EXCEED THE DEDUCTIBLE FOR THE DWELLING, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY PAYMENT FOR THIS COVERAGE. YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY OR AGENT WILL PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE AS TO HOW THE DEDUCTIBLE APPLIES TO THE AMOUNT YOU RECEIVE PURSUANT TO THIS COVERAGE. (D) ADDITIONAL LIVING EXPENSES: ____ (E) RATE OR PREMIUM: ____ YOU MUST ASK THE COMPANY TO ADD EARTHQUAKE COVERAGE WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MAILING OF THIS NOTICE OR IT SHALL BE CONCLUSIVELY PRESUMED THAT YOU HAVE NOT ACCEPTED THIS OFFER. THIS COVERAGE SHALL BE EFFECTIVE ON THE DAY YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THIS OFFER IS RECEIVED BY US. (b) When the insurer, agent, or broker establishes delivery of the disclosure form by obtaining the signature of the applicant or insured, or when an insurer, agent, or broker provides the applicant with the disclosure form and the applicant does not return a signed acknowledgment of receipt within 60 days of the date it was provided, there shall be a conclusive presumption that the insurer, agent, or broker has complied with the disclosure requirements of this section. (c) The offer may contain additional provisions not in conflict with or in derogation of this section. (d) The commissioner may only approve modifications to the language prescribed in subdivision (a) if all of the following conditions are met: (1) The modifications are not in conflict with or in derogation of any provision of this section or Section 10089. (2) The modifications are necessary to ensure that the disclosure statement accurately reflects the coverage actually provided by the policy being offered. (3) The modifications are strictly limited to necessary changes so that the modified disclosure statement is otherwise identical to the disclosure statement prescribed in this section. (e) Use of the language prescribed by this section, or modified language approved pursuant to subdivision (d), shall constitute compliance with the requirements of Section 10081 by an insurer subject thereto.  SEC. 4.   Section 10086 of the   Insurance Code   is amended to read:  10086. (a) If an offer of earthquake coverage is accepted, the coverage shall be continued at the applicable rates and conditions for the policy term, provided the policy of residential property insurance is not terminated by the named insured or insurer. (1) At any renewal, an insurer may modify the terms and conditions of an existing policy, rider, or endorsement providing coverage against loss or damage caused by the peril of earthquake if the modified terms and conditions provide the minimum coverages required by Section 10089. (2) An insurer that modifies the terms and conditions of an existing policy, rider, or endorsement shall provide the insured with the renewal notice in a stand-alone disclosure document stating the changes in the terms and conditions of the insured's existing policy, rider, or endorsement.  The offer of renewal may be made electronically pursuant to Section 38.5.  Proof of mailing of the disclosure document by first-class mail to a named insured at the mailing address shown on the policy or application  , or proof consistent with Section 38.5 that the offer of renewal of coverage was sent to the named insured or applicant by electronic transmission,  creates a conclusive presumption that the disclosure document was provided. The disclosure shall include the following statement in 14-point boldface type: THE COVERAGE IN THE POLICY WE ARE OFFERING YOU WITH THIS RENEWAL HAS BEEN REDUCED, AND SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERS FROM THE COVERAGES PROVIDED BY YOUR HOMEOWNERS' POLICY. INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE ALLOWED TO RENEW EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE POLICIES WITH COVERAGE THAT IS REDUCED FROM THE COVERAGE YOU PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED. YOU MAY REQUEST A SAMPLE COPY OF THIS NEW POLICY TO REVIEW PRIOR TO MAKING A DECISION TO ACCEPT THIS RENEWAL, AND WE WILL MAIL OR DELIVER IT TO YOU WITHIN 14 DAYS OF YOUR REQUEST. A REQUEST FOR THE SAMPLE COPY SHALL NOT CHANGE OR EXTEND THE POLICY EXPIRATION DATE SPECIFIED IN THE RENEWAL NOTICE. A SUMMARY OF THE CHANGES IS INCLUDED WITH THIS NOTICE. The commissioner shall approve the form of the summary at the time he or she approves the policy. The summary shall include the information contained in subdivision (a) of Section 10083, and may be included with the renewal notice in standard type. The commissioner may approve substantially similar disclosure forms if necessary to accurately disclose relevant information to the policyholder. The commissioner may also approve disclosure forms substantially similar to the disclosure statement required by Section 10083 if necessary to accurately disclose relevant information to the policyholder. (3) If the earthquake coverage is provided by a policy issued by the California Earthquake Authority, the following disclosure shall be provided in 14-point boldface type: CALIFORNIA EARTHQUAKE AUTHORITY POLICY DISCLOSURE THIS POLICY IS BEING PURCHASED FROM THE CALIFORNIA EARTHQUAKE AUTHORITY ("CEA"). THE COVERAGE IN THIS CEA POLICY SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERS FROM THE COVERAGES PROVIDED IN YOUR HOMEOWNER'S POLICY. THE CEA IS NOT PART OF OR ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE COMPANY. IF LOSSES AS A RESULT OF AN EARTHQUAKE OR A SERIES OF EARTHQUAKES EXCEED THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES OF THE CEA, THIS POLICY IS NOT COVERED BY THE CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION. THEREFORE, THE CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION WILL NOT PAY YOUR CLAIMS OR PROTECT YOUR ASSETS IF THE CEA BECOMES INSOLVENT AND IS UNABLE TO MAKE PAYMENTS AS PROMISED. IN ADDITION, YOUR CEA POLICY MAY BE SUBJECT TO FUTURE SURCHARGES OF THE POLICY PREMIUM IN CERTAIN CASES WHERE AN EARTHQUAKE OR SERIES OF EARTHQUAKES HAS EXCEEDED AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO PAY CLAIMS. IN THAT CASE, THIS MEANS THAT IN ADDITION TO THE ANNUAL PREMIUM, YOU MAY BE CHARGED UP TO AN ADDITIONAL 20% OF THE PREMIUM. (b) If the offer is not accepted, the insurer or any affiliated insurer shall be required on an every other year basis to offer earthquake coverage in connection with any continuation, renewal, or reinstatement of the policy following any lapse thereof, or with respect to any other policy that extends, changes, supersedes, or replaces the policy of residential property insurance.  The offer may be made electronically pursuant to Section 38.5.  (c) Nothing in this section shall preclude the named insured from terminating the earthquake coverage at any time.  SEC. 5.   Section 10087 of the   Insurance Code   is amended to read:  10087. (a) As used in this chapter "policy of residential property insurance" shall mean a policy insuring individually owned residential structures of not more than four dwelling units, individually owned condominium units, or individually owned mobilehomes, and their contents, located in this state and used exclusively for residential purposes or a tenant's policy insuring personal contents of a residential unit located in this state. "Policy of residential property insurance," as defined, shall not include insurance for real property or its contents used for any commercial, industrial or business purpose, except a structure of not more than four dwelling units rented for individual residential purposes. A policy that does not include any of the perils insured against in a standard fire policy shall not be included in the definition of "policy of residential property insurance." (b) Proof of mailing of the offer by first-class mail addressed to a named insured or applicant at the mailing address shown on the policy or application  , or proof consistent with Section 38.5 that the offer of coverage was sent to the named insured or applicant by electronic transmission,  shall create a conclusive presumption that the offer was made.  SECTION 1.   Section 38.5 of the Insurance Code is amended to read: 38.5. (a) Any written notice required to be given or mailed to any person by an insurer relating to any insurance on risks or on operations in this state not excepted by Section 1851 from the coverage of Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 1850.4) of Part 2 of Division 1 may, if not excluded by subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 1633.3 of the Civil Code, be provided by electronic transmission pursuant to Title 2.5 (commencing with Section 1633.1) of Part 2 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, if each party has agreed to conduct the transaction by electronic means pursuant to Section 1633.5 of the Civil Code. (b) The affidavit of the person who initiated the electronic transmission, stating the facts of that transmission into an information processing system outside of the control of the sender or of any person that sent the electronic record on behalf of the sender, is prima facie evidence that the notice was transmitted and shall be sufficient proof of notice. Any notice provided by electronic transmission shall be treated as if mailed or given for the purposes of any provision of this code, except as provided by subdivision (g) of Section 1633.15 of the Civil Code. (c) The insurance company shall maintain a system for confirming that any notice or document that is to be provided by electronic means has been sent in a manner consistent with Section 1633.15 of the Civil Code. A valid electronic signature shall be sufficient for any provision of law requiring a written signature. The insurance company shall retain a copy of the confirmation and electronic signature, when either is required, with the policy information so that they are retrievable upon request by the Department of Insurance while the policy is in force and for five years thereafter.