California · Insurance Code

INS §657: (a) Where any admitted insurer, licensed to issue motor vehicle liability policies as defined in Section 16450 of the Vehicle Code, or any licensed insurance agent refuses to accept an application for

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Insurers and agents who refuse a motor vehicle liability policy application must provide written reasons within 30 days if requested. Willful violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 fine per violation.

Read the full statutory text
(a) Where any admitted insurer, licensed to issue motor vehicle liability policies as defined in Section 16450 of the Vehicle Code, or any licensed insurance agent refuses to accept an application for such a policy or refuses to issue such a policy when a written application has been made, the refusing agent or refusing insurer shall furnish to the applicant for insurance a written statement explaining the reason or reasons relied upon for such action if within 30 days of such refusal the applicant requests in writing, from the agent or insurer who has refused to accept the application or to issue the policy, such a written explanation. Such statement shall be furnished within 30 days of receipt of such request. (b) Any insurer or agent willfully violating any provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation thereof. (c) There shall be no liability on the part of, and no cause of action of any nature shall arise against, the Insurance Commissioner or against any insurer, its authorized representative, its agents, its employees, or any firm, person or corporation furnishing to the insurer information as to the reasons for such a refusal, for any statement made by any of them in any written notice of reasons for refusing to accept the application or issue the policy or in any other communication, oral or written, specifying the reasons for such action or the providing of the information pertaining thereto, or for statements made or evidence submitted in any hearings conducted in connection therewith.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.