Article 18. Multiple Insurer Operations of California Insurance Code >> Division 1. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 18.

This article does not apply to combination automobile insurance policies in which one insurer issues a policy covering certain classes of insurance on a risk, and another insurer covers certain other classes of insurance on the same risk. This article applies to:
  (a) The issuance of a policy in which more than one insurer indemnifies the insured severally, jointly, or jointly and severally with other insurers for all or a specified portion of a risk.
  (b) The issuance of a policy which is subject to an automatic reinsurance agreement under which several insurers participate with the insurer or insurers issuing the policy to the same extent as though they were primary insurers, and the contract is negotiated upon the basis of such reinsurance and the policy makes reference to the fact of such reinsurance.
  (c) Policies issued pursuant to a plan providing for the allocation among various insurers of risks who have been unable to procure such insurance without resort to the plan.

Insurers desiring to issue policies to which this article is applicable, and to pay commissions to persons who are licensed as insurance agents, but not as agents for all insurers participating in the risk, and who are not licensed as insurance brokers, may file with the commissioner in such form as he may require, a statement of the plan under which they intend to operate, and a list of the insurers that will operate under the plan. If the commissioner finds that the nature of the plan is not such that the interests of the insuring public will be jeopardized by permitting an agent of one or more of the insurers to act in a transaction with or for all the insurers, or for the particular insurer paying the commission without being licensed as agent for such insurer or as an insurance broker, he may issue a permit authorizing the operation of the plan by or on behalf of the insurers listed in the application, and the payment of commissions pursuant to the plan as approved by the commissioner shall be lawful.

Within 10 days after the withdrawal of an insurer from the plan or from the time additional insurers participate in the plan, notice of the change shall be given the commissioner in writing, and unless such notice is so given, the permit theretofore issued by the commissioner shall expire on the tenth day after such change. Unless the permit expires as provided in the preceding sentence, it shall remain in force continuously unless the commissioner after hearing finds that the insurers have deviated materially from the plan, and that it is against public interest to continue its operation.

For filing application for a permit issued pursuant to this article, the commissioner shall charge and collect the sum of forty-four dollars ($44).