(a) A California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan certified producer may accept and process an application to purchase a low-cost automobile insurance policy under this program through an Internet Web site, in accordance with this section and regulations adopted by the department pursuant to this section.

(b) Any producer seeking certification to accept and process low-cost automobile insurance policy applications through an Internet Web site shall notify the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan of its intentions to do so prior to accepting any applications to the program.

(c) Prior to accepting payment and upon transmitting any information from the consumer, the producer’s Internet Web site shall include a clear explanation of whether the consumer will be afforded insurance coverage upon payment and, if not, when the consumer will receive coverage and how he or she will receive notice of coverage.

(d) A producer accepting and processing applications through an Internet Web site shall be entitled to the same commission available to a producer selling a low-cost automobile insurance policy by any other means acceptable under the law.

(e) Any producer accepting and processing applications through an Internet Web site is subject to the laws and rules governing this program and is liable for any errors and omissions related to the transaction of insurance to the same extent as a producer selling a low-cost automobile insurance policy by any other means acceptable under the law.

(f) Any consumer information required by this article may be accepted by electronic means after the department adopts regulations implementing this section and only if the information is submitted in accordance with those regulations.

(g) The California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan shall coordinate with the department in order to develop a system for receiving and assigning policies issued through Internet Web sites.

(h) The California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan may request, and the department may include in its plan submitted pursuant to Section 11629.85, up to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) from the department’s existing consumer outreach fund to be used for the sole purpose of implementing this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 487, Sec. 12. (SB 1273) Effective January 1, 2015. Repealed as of January 1, 2025, pursuant to Section 11629.89.)