Small claims court: jurisdiction.

Existing law specifies that the jurisdiction of the small claims court includes various actions in which the demand does not exceed $7,500, with specified exceptions. This bill would increase the jurisdiction of the small claims court by increasing that amount to $10,000, except as specified. The bill, until January 1, 2015, would confer jurisdiction on the small claims court in an action brought for damages for bodily injuries resulting from an automobile accident if the demand does not exceed $7,500, and the defendant is covered by an insurance policy that includes a duty to defend. The bill would also make a technical change by deleting a duplicate code section that contains identical provisions.