This chapter shall not, except as provided by Sections 10972 and 10974, affect:

(a) A lodge operating under the lodge system, which provides in its bylaws or rules or regulations for the payment of death benefits not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) on the death of a member or for the payment of disability benefits not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) to a member during any period of 12 consecutive calendar months, or both of those types of benefits.

(b) The subordinate branch of a lodge, as a lodge is defined in Section 10972, or any association formed by the members of a lodge, which association confines its membership to the members of such lodge, which subordinate branch or association (1) is organized without capital stock, (2) is organized and operated solely for the benefit of its members or their beneficiaries and not for profit, and (3) provides in its bylaws or rules or regulations for the payment of either or both of the following benefits: (i) a benefit of not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) on the death of a member from any cause; (ii) a benefit of not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) on the accidental death of a member or benefits not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) during any period of 12 consecutive calendar months to a member for his or her disability.

(c) A lodge operating under the lodge system or any subordinate branch thereof or any association formed by the members thereof which association confines its membership to the members of such lodge, which subordinate branch or association (1) is organized without capital stock, (2) is organized and operated solely for the benefit of its members or their beneficiaries and not for profit, and (3) provides in its bylaws or rules or regulations for the payment of death benefits not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) on the death of a member or for the payment of disability benefits not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) to a member during any period of 12 consecutive calendar months, or both of those types of benefits.

(d) An organization authorized to operate pursuant to a superior court judgment issued between January and April of 1940 whether or not the amount of benefits offered by that organization conforms to that judgment.

(e) Contracts of reinsurance on a plan under subdivisions (a), (b), (c), or (d).

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 391, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1997.)