Section 22314 Of Article 3. Loan Regulations From California Financial Code >> Division 9. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 3.
22314
. (a) Credit insurance shall not be deemed to be a collateral
sale, purchase, or agreement within the terms of Section 22201,
22311, or 22312 when the insurance is provided in accordance with the
provisions of the Insurance Code and this section. As used in this
division:
(1) "Credit insurance" means credit life, disability, and
loss-of-income insurance, or any combination of these coverages.
(2) "Credit life insurance" and "credit disability insurance" have
the same meanings as defined in Section 779.2 of the Insurance Code.
(3) "Credit loss-of-income insurance" means insurance issued to
provide indemnity for payments becoming due on a specific loan or
other credit transaction while the debtor is involuntarily
unemployed, as defined in the policy.
(b) A licensee may provide credit insurance with the borrower's
consent, the form to be approved by the Insurance Commissioner, and a
copy, together with evidence of its approval by the Insurance
Commissioner, and a copy of the schedule of rates together with
evidence of its approval by the Insurance Commissioner, to be filed
with the commissioner prior to the offer or sale of the credit
insurance and in an amount not in excess of the amount of the
indebtedness, and, with respect to credit life or disability
insurance, may collect from the borrower an amount not in excess of
that permitted by or pursuant to Section 779.36 of the Insurance
Code.
(c) If the loan is prepaid in full by cash, a new loan,
refinancing, or otherwise (except by that insurance) before the final
installment date, the borrower shall receive a rebate of that amount
computed in accordance with the formula approved by the Insurance
Commissioner pursuant to Section 779.14 of the Insurance Code.
(d) When charges for the loan are precomputed in accordance with
Section 22400, any permitted deferment charge may be computed on the
combined total of the precomputed charge and the credit insurance
charge. Only one deferment charge may be collected in connection with
any loan contract, irrespective of the number of borrowers, and only
one borrower need be insured. The amount of the deferment charge may
be deducted from the principal of the loan.
(e) If life or disability insurance is provided, and if the
insured borrower dies or becomes disabled during the term of the loan
contract, the insurance shall be sufficient to pay the total amount
due on the loan, excluding unearned charges, outstanding on the date
of death, or all amounts that become due on the loan during the
period of disability, as the case may be, without any exception,
reservation, or limitation, subject, however, to the provisions of
Section 22315.
(f) Any credit insurance provided shall be in force as soon as the
loan is made. A licensee shall not require credit insurance as a
condition of making a loan.
(g) If a borrower procures credit insurance by or through a
licensee, the statement required by Section 22338 shall disclose the
cost of the credit insurance to the borrower, and the licensee shall
deliver or cause to be delivered to the borrower a copy of the
policy, certificate, or other evidence thereof, within a reasonable
time. In the event a licensee provides credit disability or
loss-of-income insurance pursuant to this division, the licensee
shall also deliver an understandable written statement to the
borrower detailing the conditions under which the borrower will be
entitled to make a claim under the insurance policy and the procedure
to be followed in making the claim. This statement shall be first
approved by the Insurance Commissioner.
(h) The amount charged to the borrower for credit life or
disability insurance shall not exceed the amount established by or
pursuant to Section 779.36 of the Insurance Code.
(i) Nothing in this article shall prevent a licensee from selling
insurance as other business if authorized by Section 22154.
This section does not apply to any loan of a bona fide principal
amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or more, or to a duly
licensed finance lender in connection with any such loan or loans as
determined in accordance with Section 22251.