A portable electronics insurance agent shall not sell insurance pursuant to this article by unsolicited telephone calls or otherwise unless, at the time of sale, or reasonably thereafter with respect to a sale or enrollment occurring by telephone, all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(a) The portable electronics insurance agent provides brochures or other written materials to the prospective purchaser that do all of the following:
(1) Summarize the material terms and conditions of coverage offered, including the identity of the insurer.
(2) Describe the process for filing a claim, including a toll-free telephone number to report a claim.
(3) Disclose any additional information on the price, benefits, exclusions, conditions, or other limitations of those policies that the commissioner may, by rule, prescribe.
(4) Provide the name, address, telephone number, and license number of the licensee or the property and casualty broker-agent appointed by the insurer issuing portable electronics insurance coverage to the licensee, as well as the department’s toll-free consumer hotline.
(b) The portable electronics insurance agent or its endorsees make all of the following disclosures, which shall be acknowledged in writing by the purchaser, or displayed by clear and conspicuous signs that are posted at every location where contracts are executed, such as the counter where the purchaser signs the service agreement, or provided in writing to the purchaser:
(1) That the purchase by the customer of the kinds of insurance prescribed in this article is not required in order to purchase portable electronics, accessories, or related services.
(2) That the insurance policies offered by the portable electronics insurance agent may provide a duplication of coverage already provided by other insurance policies covering the purchaser.
(3) That the endorsee of the portable electronics insurance agent is not qualified or authorized to evaluate the adequacy of the purchaser’s existing insurance coverages, unless that person is licensed pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 1631).
(4) That the customer may cancel the insurance at any time. If the customer cancels any unearned premium will be refunded in accordance with applicable law.
(c) The material terms and conditions of coverage are provided to every person who elects to purchase that coverage.
(d) Costs for the insurance are separately itemized in any billing statement for the insurance. However, if the portable electronics coverage is included with the purchase or lease of portable electronics or related services, the vendor shall clearly and conspicuously disclose to the customer that the coverage is included with the purchase of the portable electronics or related services.
(e) The insurance is provided under an individual policy issued to the purchaser, or under a group or master policy issued to an organization licensed as a portable electronics insurance agent by an insurer authorized to transact the applicable kinds or types of insurance in this state.
(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 165, Sec. 7. (AB 690) Effective January 1, 2012. Note: See conditions in Section 1758.693 regarding the initial operative date of Article 16.1, commencing with Section 1758.6.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018