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CA Department of Insurance
CA Department of Insurance
CA Department of Insurance

Coronavirus

Information about Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Department of Insurance is responding to COVID-19 with a series of steps to protect public health and maintain a strong insurance market to serve consumers. We are supporting actions by our state and local public health leaders to mitigate the spread and severity of COVID-19. We hope you find the following information useful.

With the end of state and federal public health emergencies in 2023, we are still working to protect your health and safety. California requires most insurance companies to continue covering COVID-19 vaccine, testing and treatment without cost sharing. Read our fact sheet to learn more.

  • If you are experiencing a problem with an insurance matter, please visit our online Consumer Complaint Center to file a complaint.
  • General insurance questions and inquiries can be submitted online, using our Contact Us form, or call us at 1-800-927-4357.

Helpful Resources

The following links provide useful information on current developments of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the California Department of Public Health and other agencies.

All Lines of Insurance

What if I cannot pay my insurance premiums?

Requesting a 60-day grace period to pay insurance premiums - On March 18, 2020, the Department issued a Notice requesting all insurance companies provide their policyholders with at least a 60-day grace period to pay their premiums.

Consumers should contact their insurance company if they need additional time to pay their premium. 

I am driving less or my business is closed -- can I reduce my insurance premium?

Ordering insurance companies to return insurance premiums to consumers and businesses - Commissioner Lara ordered insurance companies to return premiums to consumers and businesses in at least six different insurance lines: private passenger automobile, commercial automobile, workers' compensation, commercial multi-peril, commercial liability, medical malpractice, and any other insurance line where the risk of loss has fallen substantially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date this action has saved consumers more than $1.2 billion in premiums and will continue as long as the risk of loss is reduced due to the pandemic.

What about deadlines from my insurance? Am I at risk of losing my benefits if I do not meet them?

  • No — you will not lose benefits such as additional living expenses related to a residential loss during the COVID-19 emergency.
  • Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a Notice instructing all insurance companies to stop enforcing policy or statutory deadlines on policyholders for claims or coverage until 90 days after the statewide “state of emergency” or any other “state of emergency” has ended related to COVID-19. The Commissioner issued this to protect policyholders from losing, limiting, or waiving policy benefits as a result of the current national state of emergency.

Health Insurance

With the end of the federal public health emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 on May 11, 2023, certain federal provisions requiring coverage of COVID-19 diagnostic testing without cost sharing will end. However, if you are in a health insurance policy that is regulated by the state of California, most coverage requirements are permanent.  View our fact sheet about COVID-19 testing, vaccines and treatment.

  • Consumers with concerns or complaints about accessing care for COVID‑19 under their health insurance policy may also contact the Department’s Consumer Hotline at 1-800-927-4357 or file a Request for Assistance online.
  • Treatment for COVID-19 and related illnesses is covered by health insurance under your plan. Review your plan or contact your insurance company if you have questions about cost-sharing and other charges for in-network or emergency care.

What if I don’t have health insurance?

  • Uninsured Californians and those who have lost coverage may be eligible for to purchase health coverage through Covered California, or through health plans and health insurers offering coverage outside the health insurance benefits exchange pursuant to a special enrollment period.
  • Consumers can find out if they are eligible for coverage, financial help and see which plans are available in their area by using Covered California’s Shop and Compare Tool and entering their ZIP code, household income, and the ages of those who need coverage.
  • If you have a substantial loss of income, subsidies available through Covered California may pay for almost all of your premium, or you may qualify for low or no-cost coverage through Medi-Cal.
  • Those interested in learning more about their coverage options can: 

Auto Insurance

What if my driver’s license expires or my registration lapses? How does that affect my auto insurance?

What auto insurance protections are in place for delivery drivers working for essential businesses?

  • Extending personal auto coverage for delivery drivers for California’s essential businesses – On April 10, 2020, Commissioner Lara and the California Department of Insurance issued a notice requesting insurance companies extend auto insurance coverage for drivers who are using their personal vehicles to fulfill deliveries for California’s essential businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This action ensures that businesses can continue to provide essential goods to residents and families at their homes and that delivery workers are protected at all times so that they may continue their work critical to public health and safety.

Business Insurance

What if I have lost my job or am unable to work due to COVID-19? 

  • Governor Newsom's March 12 Executive Order spelled out several steps that employees can take if they lose their jobs or are unable to work due to COVID-19. These include disability and unemployment insurance, paid family leave for caregivers, and workers’ compensation if you were exposed to and contracted COVID-19 during the regular course of your work.
  • The Governor waived the one-week waiting period for employees who are unemployed or become disabled as a result of COVID-19. Learn more here: About EDD: Coronavirus-2019
  • Check out OnwardCA connecting COVID-19 displaced workers with over 70,000 job opportunities in critical industries.

Business Interruption Insurance

Does workers’ compensation insurance apply to COVID-19?

Yes. On September 17, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1159 which codified the COVID-19 presumption created by Executive Order N-62-20 and created two new rebuttable presumptions that an employee’s COVID-19 illness is an occupational injury and therefore eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if specified criteria are met. Employees who are sick can stay home and be provided workers’ compensation benefits, thereby reducing the spread of the virus to others at work and in the community. The law encourages employers to comply with all local health directives and guidance concerning safely reopening businesses to reduce risk of exposure and mitigate outbreaks in the workplace. Learn more at this web page: COVID-19 Resources and Workers’ Compensation.

  • The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency have posted information regarding COVID-19 on the Safer at Work website, including available benefits, FAQs, and information regarding disability insurance, paid family leave, and unemployment insurance: https://saferatwork.covid19.ca.gov/

How will COVID-19 affect the cost of workers’ compensation insurance for business?

While it is too soon to know how COVID-10 will affect the cost of workers’ compensation insurance, Commissioner Lara has taken steps to reduce premiums for affected businesses.

How can I avoid being scammed?

The Department is working with state and local agencies to respond to fraud and ongoing scams. Our Enforcement staff will continue to investigate insurance fraud and work with our law enforcement partners to protect California consumers and businesses. The following websites provide information about Coronavirus scams.

Click here for information on some of the ongoing scams the Department of Insurance is working to combat.

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