SB 897

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law defines the measure of indemnity for a loss under a property insurance policy. Existing law requires an insurer, in the event of a loss under a residential insurance policy for which the insured has made a claim for additional living expenses, to provide the insured with a list of items that the insurer believes may be covered under the policy as additional living expenses. Additionally, existing law provides that, in the case of a loss related to a declared state of emergency, an insurer provide coverage for living expenses for a period of 24 months, subject to the limitations of the policy. This bill would specify that additional living expense coverage shall include all reasonable expenses incurred by the insured in order to maintain a comparable standard of living and would provide a list of expenses that shall be covered. This bill would require, for losses related to a declared state of emergency, that the insurer provide an advance payment for living expenses and an advance payment for contents, the insurer to accept an inventory of contents in any reasonable form permit the grouping of certain items in an inventory of contents, and offer a payment of no less than 80% of the policy limit for contents without an itemized claim. This bill would require an insurer to offer a 30-day grace period, as specified, for payments of premiums for policies on property located within a declared state of emergency for a period of 30 days after the declaration of the emergency. This bill would apply specified provisions retroactively to certain claims for losses incurred on or after July 1, 2017.