Fire insurance.

Existing law generally regulates fire insurance and county mutual fire insurers. Existing law prescribes the standard form for a fire insurance policy or county fire insurance policy. Existing law imposes a 12-month statute of limitations in which to bring suit under a fire insurance policy or a county fire insurance policy after a loss. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for an insurer or agent to countersign or issue a fire policy that varies from the California standard form of policy. This bill would revise the standard forms of policy and extend the period in which to bring suit to 24 months after the inception of the loss if the loss is related to a state of emergency, as specified. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.