California 2017 2017-2018 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill AB1772 Introduced / Bill

Filed 01/04/2018

                    CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1772Introduced by Assembly Members Aguiar-Curry and Wood(Principal coauthors: Assembly Members Levine and Limn)(Principal coauthors: Senators Dodd and McGuire)(Coauthor: Senator Jackson)January 04, 2018 An act to amend Section 2051.5 of the Insurance Code, relating to fire insurance. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1772, as introduced, Aguiar-Curry. Fire insurance: indemnity.Existing law defines the measure of indemnity for a loss under an open fire insurance policy and specifies time limits under which an insured must collect the full replacement cost of the loss. In the event of a loss relating to a state of emergency, as defined, existing law establishes a minimum time limit of not less than 24 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made during which the insured may collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit, as specified.This bill would extend the minimum time limit during which an insured may collect the full replacement cost of a loss relating to a state of emergency to 36 months. The bill would also make technical changes.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY  Appropriation: NO  Fiscal Committee: NO  Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 2051.5 of the Insurance Code is amended to read:2051.5. (a) (1) Under an open policy that requires payment of the replacement cost for a loss, the measure of indemnity is the amount that it would cost the insured to repair, rebuild, or replace the thing lost or injured, without a deduction for physical depreciation, or the policy limit, whichever is less.If(2) If the policy requires the insured to repair, rebuild, or replace the damaged property in order to collect the full replacement cost, the insurer shall pay the actual cash value of the damaged property, as defined in Section 2051, until the damaged property is repaired, rebuilt, or replaced. Once the property is repaired, rebuilt, or replaced, the insurer shall pay the difference between the actual cash value payment made and the full replacement cost reasonably paid to replace the damaged property, up to the limits stated in the policy.(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), no time limit of less than 12 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made shall be placed upon an insured in order to collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit. Additional extensions of six months shall be provided to policyholders for good cause. In the event of a loss relating to a state of emergency, as defined in Section 8558 of the Government Code, no time limit of less than 24 36 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made shall be placed upon the insured in order to collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit. Nothing in this section shall prohibit This section does not prohibit the insurer from allowing the insured additional time to collect the full replacement cost.(2) In the event of a covered loss relating to a state of emergency, as defined in Section 8558 of the Government Code, coverage for additional living expenses shall be is for a period of 24 months, but shall be is subject to other policy provisions, provided that any an extension of time required by this paragraph beyond the period provided in the policy shall not act to does not increase the additional living expense policy limit in force at the time of the loss. This paragraph shall become operative on January 1, 2007.(c) In the event of a total loss of the insured structure, no a policy issued or delivered in this state may shall not contain a provision that limits or denies payment of the replacement cost in the event the insured decides to rebuild or replace the property at a location other than the insured premises. However, the measure of indemnity shall be based upon the replacement cost of the insured property and shall not be based upon the cost to repair, rebuild, or replace at a location other than the insured premises.(d) Nothing in this section shall prohibit This section does not prohibit an insurer from restricting payment in cases of suspected fraud.(e) The changes made to this section by the act that added this subdivision shall be implemented by an insurer on and after the effective date of that act, except that an insurer shall not be required to modify policy forms to be consistent with those changes until July 1, 2005. On and after July 1, 2005, all policy forms used by an insurer shall reflect those changes. comply with this section.

 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1772Introduced by Assembly Members Aguiar-Curry and Wood(Principal coauthors: Assembly Members Levine and Limn)(Principal coauthors: Senators Dodd and McGuire)(Coauthor: Senator Jackson)January 04, 2018 An act to amend Section 2051.5 of the Insurance Code, relating to fire insurance. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1772, as introduced, Aguiar-Curry. Fire insurance: indemnity.Existing law defines the measure of indemnity for a loss under an open fire insurance policy and specifies time limits under which an insured must collect the full replacement cost of the loss. In the event of a loss relating to a state of emergency, as defined, existing law establishes a minimum time limit of not less than 24 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made during which the insured may collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit, as specified.This bill would extend the minimum time limit during which an insured may collect the full replacement cost of a loss relating to a state of emergency to 36 months. The bill would also make technical changes.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY  Appropriation: NO  Fiscal Committee: NO  Local Program: NO 





 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill No. 1772

Introduced by Assembly Members Aguiar-Curry and Wood(Principal coauthors: Assembly Members Levine and Limn)(Principal coauthors: Senators Dodd and McGuire)(Coauthor: Senator Jackson)January 04, 2018

Introduced by Assembly Members Aguiar-Curry and Wood(Principal coauthors: Assembly Members Levine and Limn)(Principal coauthors: Senators Dodd and McGuire)(Coauthor: Senator Jackson)
January 04, 2018

 An act to amend Section 2051.5 of the Insurance Code, relating to fire insurance. 

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1772, as introduced, Aguiar-Curry. Fire insurance: indemnity.

Existing law defines the measure of indemnity for a loss under an open fire insurance policy and specifies time limits under which an insured must collect the full replacement cost of the loss. In the event of a loss relating to a state of emergency, as defined, existing law establishes a minimum time limit of not less than 24 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made during which the insured may collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit, as specified.This bill would extend the minimum time limit during which an insured may collect the full replacement cost of a loss relating to a state of emergency to 36 months. The bill would also make technical changes.

Existing law defines the measure of indemnity for a loss under an open fire insurance policy and specifies time limits under which an insured must collect the full replacement cost of the loss. In the event of a loss relating to a state of emergency, as defined, existing law establishes a minimum time limit of not less than 24 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made during which the insured may collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit, as specified.

This bill would extend the minimum time limit during which an insured may collect the full replacement cost of a loss relating to a state of emergency to 36 months. The bill would also make technical changes.

## Digest Key

## Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 2051.5 of the Insurance Code is amended to read:2051.5. (a) (1) Under an open policy that requires payment of the replacement cost for a loss, the measure of indemnity is the amount that it would cost the insured to repair, rebuild, or replace the thing lost or injured, without a deduction for physical depreciation, or the policy limit, whichever is less.If(2) If the policy requires the insured to repair, rebuild, or replace the damaged property in order to collect the full replacement cost, the insurer shall pay the actual cash value of the damaged property, as defined in Section 2051, until the damaged property is repaired, rebuilt, or replaced. Once the property is repaired, rebuilt, or replaced, the insurer shall pay the difference between the actual cash value payment made and the full replacement cost reasonably paid to replace the damaged property, up to the limits stated in the policy.(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), no time limit of less than 12 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made shall be placed upon an insured in order to collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit. Additional extensions of six months shall be provided to policyholders for good cause. In the event of a loss relating to a state of emergency, as defined in Section 8558 of the Government Code, no time limit of less than 24 36 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made shall be placed upon the insured in order to collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit. Nothing in this section shall prohibit This section does not prohibit the insurer from allowing the insured additional time to collect the full replacement cost.(2) In the event of a covered loss relating to a state of emergency, as defined in Section 8558 of the Government Code, coverage for additional living expenses shall be is for a period of 24 months, but shall be is subject to other policy provisions, provided that any an extension of time required by this paragraph beyond the period provided in the policy shall not act to does not increase the additional living expense policy limit in force at the time of the loss. This paragraph shall become operative on January 1, 2007.(c) In the event of a total loss of the insured structure, no a policy issued or delivered in this state may shall not contain a provision that limits or denies payment of the replacement cost in the event the insured decides to rebuild or replace the property at a location other than the insured premises. However, the measure of indemnity shall be based upon the replacement cost of the insured property and shall not be based upon the cost to repair, rebuild, or replace at a location other than the insured premises.(d) Nothing in this section shall prohibit This section does not prohibit an insurer from restricting payment in cases of suspected fraud.(e) The changes made to this section by the act that added this subdivision shall be implemented by an insurer on and after the effective date of that act, except that an insurer shall not be required to modify policy forms to be consistent with those changes until July 1, 2005. On and after July 1, 2005, all policy forms used by an insurer shall reflect those changes. comply with this section.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 2051.5 of the Insurance Code is amended to read:2051.5. (a) (1) Under an open policy that requires payment of the replacement cost for a loss, the measure of indemnity is the amount that it would cost the insured to repair, rebuild, or replace the thing lost or injured, without a deduction for physical depreciation, or the policy limit, whichever is less.If(2) If the policy requires the insured to repair, rebuild, or replace the damaged property in order to collect the full replacement cost, the insurer shall pay the actual cash value of the damaged property, as defined in Section 2051, until the damaged property is repaired, rebuilt, or replaced. Once the property is repaired, rebuilt, or replaced, the insurer shall pay the difference between the actual cash value payment made and the full replacement cost reasonably paid to replace the damaged property, up to the limits stated in the policy.(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), no time limit of less than 12 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made shall be placed upon an insured in order to collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit. Additional extensions of six months shall be provided to policyholders for good cause. In the event of a loss relating to a state of emergency, as defined in Section 8558 of the Government Code, no time limit of less than 24 36 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made shall be placed upon the insured in order to collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit. Nothing in this section shall prohibit This section does not prohibit the insurer from allowing the insured additional time to collect the full replacement cost.(2) In the event of a covered loss relating to a state of emergency, as defined in Section 8558 of the Government Code, coverage for additional living expenses shall be is for a period of 24 months, but shall be is subject to other policy provisions, provided that any an extension of time required by this paragraph beyond the period provided in the policy shall not act to does not increase the additional living expense policy limit in force at the time of the loss. This paragraph shall become operative on January 1, 2007.(c) In the event of a total loss of the insured structure, no a policy issued or delivered in this state may shall not contain a provision that limits or denies payment of the replacement cost in the event the insured decides to rebuild or replace the property at a location other than the insured premises. However, the measure of indemnity shall be based upon the replacement cost of the insured property and shall not be based upon the cost to repair, rebuild, or replace at a location other than the insured premises.(d) Nothing in this section shall prohibit This section does not prohibit an insurer from restricting payment in cases of suspected fraud.(e) The changes made to this section by the act that added this subdivision shall be implemented by an insurer on and after the effective date of that act, except that an insurer shall not be required to modify policy forms to be consistent with those changes until July 1, 2005. On and after July 1, 2005, all policy forms used by an insurer shall reflect those changes. comply with this section.

SECTION 1. Section 2051.5 of the Insurance Code is amended to read:

### SECTION 1.

2051.5. (a) (1) Under an open policy that requires payment of the replacement cost for a loss, the measure of indemnity is the amount that it would cost the insured to repair, rebuild, or replace the thing lost or injured, without a deduction for physical depreciation, or the policy limit, whichever is less.If(2) If the policy requires the insured to repair, rebuild, or replace the damaged property in order to collect the full replacement cost, the insurer shall pay the actual cash value of the damaged property, as defined in Section 2051, until the damaged property is repaired, rebuilt, or replaced. Once the property is repaired, rebuilt, or replaced, the insurer shall pay the difference between the actual cash value payment made and the full replacement cost reasonably paid to replace the damaged property, up to the limits stated in the policy.(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), no time limit of less than 12 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made shall be placed upon an insured in order to collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit. Additional extensions of six months shall be provided to policyholders for good cause. In the event of a loss relating to a state of emergency, as defined in Section 8558 of the Government Code, no time limit of less than 24 36 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made shall be placed upon the insured in order to collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit. Nothing in this section shall prohibit This section does not prohibit the insurer from allowing the insured additional time to collect the full replacement cost.(2) In the event of a covered loss relating to a state of emergency, as defined in Section 8558 of the Government Code, coverage for additional living expenses shall be is for a period of 24 months, but shall be is subject to other policy provisions, provided that any an extension of time required by this paragraph beyond the period provided in the policy shall not act to does not increase the additional living expense policy limit in force at the time of the loss. This paragraph shall become operative on January 1, 2007.(c) In the event of a total loss of the insured structure, no a policy issued or delivered in this state may shall not contain a provision that limits or denies payment of the replacement cost in the event the insured decides to rebuild or replace the property at a location other than the insured premises. However, the measure of indemnity shall be based upon the replacement cost of the insured property and shall not be based upon the cost to repair, rebuild, or replace at a location other than the insured premises.(d) Nothing in this section shall prohibit This section does not prohibit an insurer from restricting payment in cases of suspected fraud.(e) The changes made to this section by the act that added this subdivision shall be implemented by an insurer on and after the effective date of that act, except that an insurer shall not be required to modify policy forms to be consistent with those changes until July 1, 2005. On and after July 1, 2005, all policy forms used by an insurer shall reflect those changes. comply with this section.

2051.5. (a) (1) Under an open policy that requires payment of the replacement cost for a loss, the measure of indemnity is the amount that it would cost the insured to repair, rebuild, or replace the thing lost or injured, without a deduction for physical depreciation, or the policy limit, whichever is less.If(2) If the policy requires the insured to repair, rebuild, or replace the damaged property in order to collect the full replacement cost, the insurer shall pay the actual cash value of the damaged property, as defined in Section 2051, until the damaged property is repaired, rebuilt, or replaced. Once the property is repaired, rebuilt, or replaced, the insurer shall pay the difference between the actual cash value payment made and the full replacement cost reasonably paid to replace the damaged property, up to the limits stated in the policy.(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), no time limit of less than 12 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made shall be placed upon an insured in order to collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit. Additional extensions of six months shall be provided to policyholders for good cause. In the event of a loss relating to a state of emergency, as defined in Section 8558 of the Government Code, no time limit of less than 24 36 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made shall be placed upon the insured in order to collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit. Nothing in this section shall prohibit This section does not prohibit the insurer from allowing the insured additional time to collect the full replacement cost.(2) In the event of a covered loss relating to a state of emergency, as defined in Section 8558 of the Government Code, coverage for additional living expenses shall be is for a period of 24 months, but shall be is subject to other policy provisions, provided that any an extension of time required by this paragraph beyond the period provided in the policy shall not act to does not increase the additional living expense policy limit in force at the time of the loss. This paragraph shall become operative on January 1, 2007.(c) In the event of a total loss of the insured structure, no a policy issued or delivered in this state may shall not contain a provision that limits or denies payment of the replacement cost in the event the insured decides to rebuild or replace the property at a location other than the insured premises. However, the measure of indemnity shall be based upon the replacement cost of the insured property and shall not be based upon the cost to repair, rebuild, or replace at a location other than the insured premises.(d) Nothing in this section shall prohibit This section does not prohibit an insurer from restricting payment in cases of suspected fraud.(e) The changes made to this section by the act that added this subdivision shall be implemented by an insurer on and after the effective date of that act, except that an insurer shall not be required to modify policy forms to be consistent with those changes until July 1, 2005. On and after July 1, 2005, all policy forms used by an insurer shall reflect those changes. comply with this section.

2051.5. (a) (1) Under an open policy that requires payment of the replacement cost for a loss, the measure of indemnity is the amount that it would cost the insured to repair, rebuild, or replace the thing lost or injured, without a deduction for physical depreciation, or the policy limit, whichever is less.If(2) If the policy requires the insured to repair, rebuild, or replace the damaged property in order to collect the full replacement cost, the insurer shall pay the actual cash value of the damaged property, as defined in Section 2051, until the damaged property is repaired, rebuilt, or replaced. Once the property is repaired, rebuilt, or replaced, the insurer shall pay the difference between the actual cash value payment made and the full replacement cost reasonably paid to replace the damaged property, up to the limits stated in the policy.(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), no time limit of less than 12 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made shall be placed upon an insured in order to collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit. Additional extensions of six months shall be provided to policyholders for good cause. In the event of a loss relating to a state of emergency, as defined in Section 8558 of the Government Code, no time limit of less than 24 36 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made shall be placed upon the insured in order to collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit. Nothing in this section shall prohibit This section does not prohibit the insurer from allowing the insured additional time to collect the full replacement cost.(2) In the event of a covered loss relating to a state of emergency, as defined in Section 8558 of the Government Code, coverage for additional living expenses shall be is for a period of 24 months, but shall be is subject to other policy provisions, provided that any an extension of time required by this paragraph beyond the period provided in the policy shall not act to does not increase the additional living expense policy limit in force at the time of the loss. This paragraph shall become operative on January 1, 2007.(c) In the event of a total loss of the insured structure, no a policy issued or delivered in this state may shall not contain a provision that limits or denies payment of the replacement cost in the event the insured decides to rebuild or replace the property at a location other than the insured premises. However, the measure of indemnity shall be based upon the replacement cost of the insured property and shall not be based upon the cost to repair, rebuild, or replace at a location other than the insured premises.(d) Nothing in this section shall prohibit This section does not prohibit an insurer from restricting payment in cases of suspected fraud.(e) The changes made to this section by the act that added this subdivision shall be implemented by an insurer on and after the effective date of that act, except that an insurer shall not be required to modify policy forms to be consistent with those changes until July 1, 2005. On and after July 1, 2005, all policy forms used by an insurer shall reflect those changes. comply with this section.



2051.5. (a) (1) Under an open policy that requires payment of the replacement cost for a loss, the measure of indemnity is the amount that it would cost the insured to repair, rebuild, or replace the thing lost or injured, without a deduction for physical depreciation, or the policy limit, whichever is less.

If



(2) If the policy requires the insured to repair, rebuild, or replace the damaged property in order to collect the full replacement cost, the insurer shall pay the actual cash value of the damaged property, as defined in Section 2051, until the damaged property is repaired, rebuilt, or replaced. Once the property is repaired, rebuilt, or replaced, the insurer shall pay the difference between the actual cash value payment made and the full replacement cost reasonably paid to replace the damaged property, up to the limits stated in the policy.

(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), no time limit of less than 12 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made shall be placed upon an insured in order to collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit. Additional extensions of six months shall be provided to policyholders for good cause. In the event of a loss relating to a state of emergency, as defined in Section 8558 of the Government Code, no time limit of less than 24 36 months from the date that the first payment toward the actual cash value is made shall be placed upon the insured in order to collect the full replacement cost of the loss, subject to the policy limit. Nothing in this section shall prohibit This section does not prohibit the insurer from allowing the insured additional time to collect the full replacement cost.

(2) In the event of a covered loss relating to a state of emergency, as defined in Section 8558 of the Government Code, coverage for additional living expenses shall be is for a period of 24 months, but shall be is subject to other policy provisions, provided that any an extension of time required by this paragraph beyond the period provided in the policy shall not act to does not increase the additional living expense policy limit in force at the time of the loss. This paragraph shall become operative on January 1, 2007.

(c) In the event of a total loss of the insured structure, no a policy issued or delivered in this state may shall not contain a provision that limits or denies payment of the replacement cost in the event the insured decides to rebuild or replace the property at a location other than the insured premises. However, the measure of indemnity shall be based upon the replacement cost of the insured property and shall not be based upon the cost to repair, rebuild, or replace at a location other than the insured premises.

(d) Nothing in this section shall prohibit This section does not prohibit an insurer from restricting payment in cases of suspected fraud.

(e) The changes made to this section by the act that added this subdivision shall be implemented by an insurer on and after the effective date of that act, except that an insurer shall not be required to modify policy forms to be consistent with those changes until July 1, 2005. On and after July 1, 2005, all policy forms used by an insurer shall reflect those changes. comply with this section.