Section § 12962

Explanation

This section requires the insurance commissioner to include several specific analyses and recommendations in an annual report to the Governor, Legislature, and insurance-related committees. The report must analyze various insurance data such as average figures for insurers, policy counts, and loss ratios. It should also evaluate past loss reserve adjustments and changes from the previous year. Furthermore, the report must discuss the department's efforts in implementing Proposition 103, a measure to regulate insurance rates. Lastly, the commissioner should propose measures to ensure fair, affordable, and competitive insurance practices. If all this information is included in the governor's annual report, it satisfies the section's requirements.

The commissioner shall report to the Governor, the Legislature, and to the committees of the Senate and Assembly having jurisdiction over insurance all of the following in the annual report submitted pursuant to Section 12922:
(a)CA Insurance Code § 12962(a) An analysis of the information required by Sections 674.5, 1857.7, 1857.9, and 12963, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)CA Insurance Code § 12962(a)(1) An aggregate and an average for all insurers for each item of information required by these sections.
(2)CA Insurance Code § 12962(a)(2) The number of insurers reporting policies written for each class during the calendar year.
(3)CA Insurance Code § 12962(a)(3) For each class, the number of insurers reporting a combined loss ratio of 100 percent or more, and the number reporting a combined loss ratio of under 100 percent.
(4)CA Insurance Code § 12962(a)(4) An analysis of adjustments made to loss reserves for prior years.
(5)CA Insurance Code § 12962(a)(5) The change in any item required to be included by paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, from the immediately prior year.
(b)CA Insurance Code § 12962(b) An analysis of the activities of the department in implementing the provisions of Proposition 103 on the November 8, 1988, general election ballot, as set forth in Article 10 (commencing with Section 1861.01) of Chapter 9 of Part 2 of Division 1.
(c)CA Insurance Code § 12962(c) Recommendations and proposals, including suggested legislation, to protect consumers from arbitrary insurance rates and practices, to encourage a competitive insurance marketplace, to provide for an accountable commissioner, and to ensure that insurance is fair, available, and affordable for all Californians.
(d)CA Insurance Code § 12962(d) The requirements of this section shall be satisfied if the analysis required by this section is included in the annual report to the Governor required by Section 12922, and a copy of that report is provided to the Legislature.

Section § 12963

Explanation

This law outlines reporting requirements for insurers providing liability insurance to public entities. Insurers must provide specific data to the commissioner upon request, such as the number of insureds, premiums collected, and details about claims handled. This includes the status of claims, payments made, expenses, and lawsuits filed. The report covers various types of claims, including workers’ compensation and different liability claims. The goal is to maintain transparency and ensure proper data management for claims related to public entities.

 Each insurer transacting insurance, as defined in Sections 108 and 116, covering liability for any public entity, as defined in Section 811.2 of the Government Code, where the public entity is the named insured, shall report specified data to the commissioner by type of claim, upon request of the commissioner, which may, for a specified period, include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a)CA Insurance Code § 12963(a) The total number of insureds.
(b)CA Insurance Code § 12963(b) The total amount of premiums received from insureds, both written and earned.
(c)CA Insurance Code § 12963(c) The number of claims reported to the insurer and the number of claims reported closed.
(d)CA Insurance Code § 12963(d) The total number of claims outstanding, together with the monetary amount reserved for loss and allocated loss expense.
(e)CA Insurance Code § 12963(e) The number of claims closed with payment to the claimant, the total monetary amount paid thereon, and the total allocated loss expense paid thereon.
(f)CA Insurance Code § 12963(f) The monetary amount paid on claims with allocated loss expense paid.
(g)CA Insurance Code § 12963(g) The number of claims closed without payment to the claimant and the allocated loss expense paid thereon.
(h)CA Insurance Code § 12963(h) The monetary amount reserved on claims incurred but not reported to the insurer.
(i)CA Insurance Code § 12963(i) The number of lawsuits filed against the insurers insureds.
(j)CA Insurance Code § 12963(j) A distribution by size of payment for those claims closed showing the number of claims and total amount paid for each monetary category, as determined by the commissioner.
As used in this section, the type of claims to be reported shall include, but not be limited to, workers’ compensation, liability, personal injury other than automobile, property damage other than automobile liability, liability based upon the dangerous condition of public property, and other general liability claims.

Section § 12965

Explanation

This law allows required data or information to be sent electronically to the intended recipient's data processing system. This means that reporting or filing can be done through electronic means instead of on paper.

The data and other information required to be filed or reported under this article may be transmitted by electronic media or data transmision to the receiver’s electronic data processing system.

Section § 12967

Explanation

This California law outlines a plan for investigating and resolving unpaid insurance claims from Holocaust victims or their heirs. It mandates the creation of a centralized database for collecting policy and claimant data related to policies issued before and during World War II. The state department is tasked with representing Holocaust survivors, conducting research, and coordinating efforts with other relevant entities. To ensure fair representation, the department is instructed to avoid conflicts of interest when contracting firms. Additionally, there is a Holocaust Era Insurance Claims Oversight Committee responsible for reviewing settlement proposals and advising on the allocation of funds.

Funding for these activities is initially sourced through a specific fiscal appropriation and is to be reimbursed through settlements with insurers. The committee's role includes monitoring negotiations and ensuring that settlements are equitable for survivors.

(a)Copy CA Insurance Code § 12967(a)
(1)Copy CA Insurance Code § 12967(a)(1) The department shall develop and implement a coordinated approach to gather, review, and analyze the archives of insurers and other archives and records, using onsite teams and the oversight committee, to provide for research and investigation into insurance policies, unpaid insurance claims, and related matters of victims of the Holocaust or of the Nazi-controlled German government or its allies, and the beneficiaries and heirs of those victims, and for losses arising from the activities of the Nazi-controlled German government or its allies for insurance policies issued before and during World War II by insurers who have affiliates or subsidiaries authorized to do business in California. Information compiled shall be placed in a centralized database for the retention of policy and claimant data, and the data shall be used to implement this section and Section 790.15.
(2)CA Insurance Code § 12967(a)(2) The department has an affirmative duty to play an independent role in representing the interests of Holocaust survivors where necessary, including the duty to carry out research, investigations, and advocacy. The department shall cooperate with, participate in, promote coordination with, and to the extent feasible and consistent with the purposes of this section, work jointly with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the international commission on Holocaust survivor claims or any other entity involved in the documentation, resolution, settlement, or distribution of insurance claims, including the documentation of unpaid claims and the distribution of proceeds, and the establishment and maintenance of a database to contain information relevant to claimants and documents and historical information. The department shall work to recover information and records that will strengthen the claims of California residents.
(3)CA Insurance Code § 12967(a)(3) The department shall employ insurance archaeologists, economists, attorneys, accountants, and other specialists, in this country and in Europe, to implement this section. The department shall work jointly with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and other organizations for this purpose. The department’s cooperation with other states shall be for the purpose of advancing survivors’ claims while avoiding duplication of efforts, and shall be dependent upon contributions by other states.
(4)CA Insurance Code § 12967(a)(4) In order to ensure that Holocaust survivors receive the most aggressive and independent representation possible in pursuit of their historic claims, in contracting with accounting firms, law firms, economists, or others to implement this section, the department shall, to the maximum extent possible, avoid any potential or actual conflict of interest by doing the following:
(A)CA Insurance Code § 12967(a)(4)(A) Seek and give preference to firms that are entirely free of any associations with firms representing insurers and nations from which Holocaust survivors are seeking just treatment of their claims.
(B)CA Insurance Code § 12967(a)(4)(B) If the department finds that it is necessary to contract with a firm or firms that have conflicts or potential conflicts of interest, those conflicts or potential conflicts of interest shall be disclosed to the commissioner, and the following requirements shall apply:
(i)CA Insurance Code § 12967(a)(4)(B)(i) The contract shall contain a provision that expresses a formal commitment on the part of the firm to aggressively pursue a maximum just settlement for Holocaust survivors and their families without regard to any adverse impacts on insurers, affiliates of insurers, nations, or others that may have employed the firm or affiliates of the firm that is contracting with the commissioner to assist in carrying out the commissioner’s responsibilities under this section.
(ii)CA Insurance Code § 12967(a)(4)(B)(ii) If any conflict or potential conflict exists between the firm, or an affiliate of the firm, and an insurer, an affiliate of an insurer, a nation or others directly or indirectly involving Holocaust claims, the firm shall disclose both the fact of the conflict or potential conflict, and all relevant information describing the nature of the conflict or potential conflict.
(iii)CA Insurance Code § 12967(a)(4)(B)(iii) If a conflict or potential conflict exists between the firm, or an affiliate of the firm, and an insurer, an affiliate of an insurer, a nation, or others that does not directly or indirectly involve Holocaust claims, the firm shall disclose the fact of the conflict or potential conflict and identify the source of the conflict or potential conflict, but need not describe the particular circumstances or facts that create the conflict or potential conflict.
(C)CA Insurance Code § 12967(a)(4)(C) The department may take whatever special measures it deems necessary to avoid either the appearance or the reality of conflicts that may undermine public confidence in the integrity of the effort to secure justice for Holocaust survivors.
(b)CA Insurance Code § 12967(b) The funding of the activities provided for by this section for the 1998–99 fiscal year shall be from funds transferred pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1523 of the Code of Civil Procedure, which funds are hereby appropriated to the commissioner for that purpose. The commissioner shall seek reimbursement of those funds as provided in subdivision (c).
Funding for subsequent fiscal years shall be subject to the Budget Act and based on a plan submitted by the commissioner to the Legislature outlining the plan for reimbursement of expenses of the department by affected insurers.
Funds made available to implement this section shall be used to develop and implement a coordinated approach to gather, review, and analyze the archives of affected insurance groups, and other archives and records, using onsite teams and the oversight committee. These funds shall also be used to fund the necessary expenses of the Holocaust Era Insurance Claims Oversight Committee established in subdivision (d). The information compiled shall be placed in a centralized database for the retention of policy and claimant data, and that data shall be used by the department to implement this section.
(c)Copy CA Insurance Code § 12967(c)
(1)Copy CA Insurance Code § 12967(c)(1) Any funds recovered by the department for the purpose of reimbursing the state for costs associated with investigation and enforcement actions under this section shall not be deposited in the Insurance Fund, but instead shall be delivered to the Controller for deposit into the General Fund.
(2)CA Insurance Code § 12967(c)(2) To the maximum extent possible, the department shall seek reimbursement for its costs incurred in implementing this section, including funds transferred pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1523 of the Code of Civil Procedure, from any settlements reached with affected insurers.
(d)Copy CA Insurance Code § 12967(d)
(1)Copy CA Insurance Code § 12967(d)(1) There is established a seven-member Holocaust Era Insurance Claims Oversight Committee, that shall be known as the oversight committee, and whose members shall be appointed as follows:
(A)CA Insurance Code § 12967(d)(1)(A) Four members shall be appointed by the Governor.
(B)CA Insurance Code § 12967(d)(1)(B) One member shall be appointed by the President pro Tempore of the Senate.
(C)CA Insurance Code § 12967(d)(1)(C) One member shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.
(D)CA Insurance Code § 12967(d)(1)(D) One member shall be appointed by the Commissioner of Insurance.
(2)CA Insurance Code § 12967(d)(2) The Governor shall designate one of the Governor’s appointees as the chairperson of the committee.
(3)CA Insurance Code § 12967(d)(3) Each member of the committee shall serve at the pleasure of the authority that appointed the member to serve on the committee.
(4)CA Insurance Code § 12967(d)(4) The oversight committee shall be composed of qualified individuals with experience in Holocaust claims cases, similar investigations, archival research, and international law. The oversight committee shall also include Holocaust survivors. No member of the oversight committee shall have a potential or actual conflict of interest, or shall be employed by a person who has a potential or actual conflict of interest.
(5)CA Insurance Code § 12967(d)(5) The appointments shall be expedited because of the urgency due to survivors’ needs.
(6)CA Insurance Code § 12967(d)(6) The oversight committee shall have the following authority and shall do all of the following:
(A)CA Insurance Code § 12967(d)(6)(A) Review and make recommendations concerning any insurance settlement negotiation or offer relating to a Holocaust era insurance claim in which the department is involved.
(B)CA Insurance Code § 12967(d)(6)(B) Review and make recommendations to the commissioner on the priorities for expenditure of funds and use of resources by the department for Holocaust era insurance claims-related activities.
(C)CA Insurance Code § 12967(d)(6)(C) Recommend whether a proposed settlement of a Holocaust era insurance claim submitted to the committee pursuant to paragraph (7) is equitable before the department finalizes the settlement agreement.
(7)CA Insurance Code § 12967(d)(7) The commissioner, in the event of a proposed settlement of any policy or group of policies relating to Holocaust era insurance claims, shall confer with the committee prior to the department finalizing the settlement agreement. The department may not finalize a proposed settlement of a Holocaust era insurance claim unless the committee, pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (6), recommends that the proposed settlement is equitable.

Section § 12968

Explanation

This law mandates that any formal enforcement actions taken by the insurance commissioner against a licensee or applicant must be made public on the department's website if they're not exempt from disclosure. This includes initial pleadings and orders resolving the actions.

If an enforcement action is withdrawn, documents related to it must be removed from the website within 30 days. If an action involves multiple parties but is withdrawn only against some, an update clarifying the withdrawal for those parties must be posted online.

(a)CA Insurance Code § 12968(a) Every pleading issued by the commissioner to initiate a formal enforcement action under this code against a licensee or applicant, and every order issued by the commissioner or a court of competent jurisdiction or other document that resolves a formal enforcement action, shall be displayed on the department’s internet website, if the document is a public record that is not exempt from disclosure to the public pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code).
(b)CA Insurance Code § 12968(b) Notwithstanding Section 12969, if an enforcement action against a licensee or applicant is withdrawn, then each pleading, document, or order against that licensee or applicant shall be removed from the department’s internet website within 30 days of the withdrawal of the action. If a pleading, document, or order contains allegations against multiple licensees or applicants, and the department withdraws all allegations against any one or more of the licensees or applicants, then the department shall post, on its internet website, a pleading, document, or order that clarifies that the enforcement action against that specific licensee or applicant has been withdrawn.

Section § 12969

Explanation

If the California Department of Insurance posts information about disciplinary proceedings or enforcement actions against a license holder on its website, that information must be removed after 10 years. This applies from when the action was finalized or when restrictions on a license are lifted. However, if a license is suspended or revoked, this rule doesn't apply, and the information can stay online. This rule only affects online postings and doesn't change how long information is kept in public records.

An order or pleading posted on the department’s internet website that is related to a disciplinary proceeding or enforcement action under this code against a licensee or applicant, or that is related to a restricted license, shall be removed from the site 10 years from the date the disciplinary or enforcement action becomes final or, in actions resulting in the issuance of a restricted license, 10 years from the date the restriction on the license is removed. This section does not apply to an order or pleading related to an enforcement action resulting in a suspended or revoked license. This section is intended to apply solely to the department’s internet website and shall not be construed to require the department to permanently remove any information from its public record.