SECTIONS 16010-16016 - California Statutes

INSURANCE CODE

SECTION 16010-16016

16010. In order to ensure an adequate response to disasters, the
Legislature finds it necessary and appropriate to establish insurance
disaster assessment teams.

16010.5. The commissioner shall establish insurance disaster
assessment teams in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

16011. (a) Each team shall consist of not more than seven insurance
representatives. Insurers doing business in this state that want to
participate in the insurance disaster assessment teams shall submit
the names of qualified representatives to the commissioner.
(b) The commissioner may establish one or more insurance disaster
assessment teams, and may provide for different teams for different
locations and different types of disasters.
(c) The commissioner may assign a representative of the
commissioner to accompany the team or teams. The representative shall
complete the appropriate Standardized Emergency Management Systems
training.

16012. Upon the occurrence of any state of emergency involving
property damage, the commissioner may require any insurance disaster
assessment team to assemble for the purpose of assessing the extent,
type, and degree of insured damage involved in the emergency.

16013. State and local law enforcement officials shall permit an
insurance disaster assessment team to have access to any disaster
area as soon as determined safe and practical by the incident
commander. The commissioner shall be responsible for the coordination
and dispatch of insurance disaster assessment teams to disaster
areas.

16014. The insurance disaster assessment team may use any of the
following techniques to assess the amount of damage:
(a) Ground surveying on foot or vehicle, or aerial surveying if
necessary.
(b) Analysis of data provided by others.

16015. The insurance disaster assessment team shall make a general
assessment of the amount and types of damage suffered in an attempt
to identify the overall scope of damage.

16016. The insurance disaster assessment team shall compile its
findings into a report and submit the report to the commissioner as
soon as practical, but not more than five days after completion of
the assessment unless authorized by the commissioner. The report
shall be developed, in accordance with procedures established by the
commissioner. The information shall be disseminated publicly, and
shall be made available to local and state disaster organizations,
and to the commissioner for distribution to insurers. These findings
and information shall not be binding on any insured as to coverage.