(a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the continued regulation of the business practices of insurers and their products is in the interest of the citizens of the state and that the control and limitation of unlawful nonrenewal, rejection, or cancellation of residential property insurance after an offer of earthquake coverage is accepted is an essential component of that regulation which is necessary to effectuate an adequate and complete system and regulation of insurer and producer business practices. The Legislature finds that this chapter continues to provide critical protection to insureds in this state from the numerous consequences that would occur in the absence of that regulation.

(b) An insurer shall not refuse to renew, reject, or cancel a policy of residential property insurance after an offer of earthquake coverage is accepted solely because the insured has accepted that offer of earthquake coverage, except in cases in which the policy is terminated by the named insured.

(c) Underwriting standards applicable to residential property insurance shall not be applied in a discriminatory fashion against any person who accepts or elects to continue earthquake coverage.

(Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1526, Sec. 1.)