California Department of Insurance Leaving Virus Exclusion Questions up to the Courts

By: Jennifer Wilczynski At the start of 2021, there were over 1,500 property insurance claims across the country due to COVID-19 business interruptions. These cases largely address interruptions caused by local and state ordinances, which forced the closure of many Continue reading

California Department of Insurance Proposes Regulation to Increase Transparency of Dental Benefits Coverage

By: Jennifer Wilczynski On January 19, 2021, the California Department of Insurance (DOI) filed a request for adoption of emergency regulations regarding the Summary of Dental Benefits and Coverage Disclosure Matrix (SDBC) with the Office of Administrative Law (OAL). Prior Continue reading

Department of Insurance Enforces Regulations Over Bail Bonds as Discussions of Reform Move Forward

By Hannah Ohman On July 15, 2020, the Department of Insurance (DOI) issued a press release stating that an investigation by the Department of an unlicensed immigration bond company led to a $5.5 million settlement. After an investigation and subsequent Continue reading

Heating Up: How the Department of Insurance is Facing Climate Change and Insurance Costs

By Jennifer Wilczynski On May 20, 2020, the Department of Insurance (DOI) Climate Insurance Working Group issued draft recommendations regarding state policies that are directly related to major climate change issues, including extreme heat, flood and sea levels rising, and Continue reading

California Department of Insurance Takes Steps to Protect the Rights of the LGBTQ+ Community

By Jennifer Wilczynski On June 12, 2020, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a statement disapproving the Trump Administration’s reversal of non-discrimination protections under section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. Without heeding the warning and dissatisfaction from 18 state insurance Continue reading

Department of Insurance Issues Cease and Desist Orders to Protect Consumers from Illegal Extended Warranty Contracts

By Jennifer Wilczynski Between April and October of 2020, the California Department of Insurance (DOI) issued multiple cease and desist orders preventing unlicensed businesses from illegally selling Vehicle Service Contracts (VSCs), or extended warranties. VSCs typically provide extra coverage for Continue reading

Senate Bill 872, Sponsored by Department of Insurance, Changes Insurance Regulations During States of Emergency

By Hannah Ohman SB 872 (Dodd), as amended August 12, 2020, amends sections 2051.5 and 2060 of, and adds sections 2061 and 2062 to, the Insurance Code, regarding insurance coverage during states of emergency, such as wildfires. Previous law required Continue reading

Department of Insurance Responds to Impacts from Another Devastating Wildfire Season

By Hannah Ohman Starting in August 2020, the Department of Insurance (DOI) took the following actions to address consumer issues resulting from the 2020 wildfire season: In an August 20, 2020 press release, DOI urged residents to keep all receipts Continue reading

Contractors State License Board Moves to Mandate Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Its Licensees

By Sabrina Barr At its September 9, 2020 meeting, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) unanimously approved a legislative proposal [item E-3], recommended by CSLB staff and the Board’s Workers’ Compensation Advisory Committee, that would amend sections 7125 and 7125.4 Continue reading

California Department of Insurance Issues a Series of Notices to Insurance Companies Pertaining to Continued Health Care Coverage During the COVID-19 Outbreak

By Brittany Hodgson On March 18, 2020, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a public notice requesting that all insurance companies operating in California provide their insureds with at least a 60-day grace period to pay premiums so that policies are Continue reading