(a) An agent or broker, hereafter referred to as a producer, who conducts business in a county in which a low-cost automobile insurance policy is available pursuant to this article shall inform every new prospective automobile insurance policyholder who requests a minimum limits or basic limits insurance policy, or coverage to meet California’s minimum limits automobile insurance requirements, that the low-cost automobile insurance policy may be available for qualifying motorists. The information may be provided orally if the producer has been contacted by telephone, or in writing, but shall be communicated to the policyholder prior to the application for automobile insurance coverage in the language in which the producer has otherwise communicated with the consumer.

(b) If the consumer requests more information about the low-cost program the producer shall do either of the following:

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(1) If the producer is California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan certified, provide the consumer with an explanation in an information pamphlet produced by the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan and approved and provided by the Department of Insurance of the qualifications, cost, and coverage provided by the policy. If the consumer qualifies for the low-cost policy and wishes to purchase the policy, the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan certified producer shall provide the application and, upon completion, submit the application, supporting documents, and the applicant’s certification to the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan. The submittal of the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan application may be in addition to any other coverage offered or applied for through the producer.

(2) If the producer is not California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan certified, the producer shall provide the consumer with the toll-free telephone number for the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan or the program’s Internet Web site address as an option to coverage offered by the producer.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 487, Sec. 5. (SB 1273) Effective January 1, 2015.)