(a) If the insurer notifies the department of the failure to resolve the dispute, the department shall notify the insured of the insured’s ability to request mediation and ask the insured whether the insured requests mediation. If the insured responds affirmatively, the department shall refer the dispute to mediation.

(b) If the insurer fails to give the required notice to the department prior to the expiration of the time limits set forth in Section 10089.72, the department shall notify the insured of the insured’s ability to request mediation and ask the insured whether the insured requests mediation. If the insured responds affirmatively, the department shall refer the dispute to mediation. The department may not refer a dispute to mediation if the matter turns upon any of the reasons or conditions set forth in Section 10089.70, relative to applicability, or if for other good cause the commissioner determines that mediation of the dispute is inappropriate.

(c) If the insured has filed a civil complaint, the insurer is excused from mediating under this chapter any claims or disputes involved in the civil action.

(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 727, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2002.)