(a) (1) Subject to the approval of the commissioner, every insurer subject to this chapter shall, at the time of offering to issue or offer to renew coverage as part of the offer of coverage required by Section 10081, disclose to the applicant, in writing as a freestanding document or in the same document containing the offer of coverage required by Section 10081, which brings attention to the applicant, all discounts or surcharges, if any that are available from the insurer for that insurance and for any related insurance provided under that coverage as part of the offer of coverage required by Section 10081.
(2) The insurer shall provide and disclose in writing any discounts or surcharges, if any, for earthquake hazard reductions, which shall include, but not be limited to, retrofitting of the residential dwelling by tying the structure to the foundation or bracing the structure to the foundation, reinforcement of the fireplace chimney, or securing of the hot water heater, and any other discounts that are available from the insurer.
(b) Each insurer that offers earthquake insurance through licensed agents or brokers shall provide in writing the document required in subdivision (a) and any documents required by subdivision (a) of Section 10083 to the agents and brokers listing all of the discounts or surcharges, if any, that are required to be disclosed to the applicant under this section, and shall require its agents and brokers to make the disclosures required by this section.
(c) An insurer is not subject to this section where an insured has completed earthquake hazard reductions and the insurer has provided discounts or surcharges for the specific policy in the form of premium rate changes.
(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 240, Sec. 2. (SB 596) Effective January 1, 2012.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018