California § 12820 - Prior to offering a vehicle service contract form to a purchaser or providing a v

Full text of California Public Contract Code - PCC § 12820 — Prior to offering a vehicle service contract form to a purchaser or providing a v, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 12820. Prior to offering a vehicle service contract form to a purchaser or providing a v

(a) Prior to offering a vehicle service contract form to a purchaser or providing a vehicle service contract form to a seller, an obligor shall file with the commissioner a specimen of that vehicle service contract form. (b) A vehicle service contract form may include any or all of the benefits described in subdivision (c) of Section 12800 and shall comply with all of the following requirements: (1) (A) If an obligor has complied with Section 12830, the vehicle service contract shall include a disclosure in substantially the following form: “Performance to you under this contract is guaranteed by a California approved insurance company. You may file a claim with this insurance company if any promise made in the contract has been denied or has not been honored within 60 days after your request. The name and address of the insurance company is: (insert name and address). If you are not satisfied with the insurance company’s response, you may contact the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-4357 or access the department’s Internet Web site (www.insurance.ca.gov).” (B) If an obligor has complied with Section 12836, the vehicle service contract shall include a disclosure in substantially the following form: “If any promise made in the contract has been denied or has not been honored within 60 days after your request, you may contact the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-4357 or access the department’s Internet Web site (www.insurance.ca.gov).” (C) The requirement that a vehicle service contract form include the department’s Internet Web site shall not apply to a form for which the department has issued a “no objection letter” as of December 31, 2016. (2) All vehicle service contract language that excludes coverage, or imposes duties upon the purchaser, shall be conspicuously printed in boldface type no smaller than the surrounding type. (3) The vehicle service contract shall do each of the following: (A) State the obligor’s full corporate name or a fictitious name approved by the commissioner, the obligor’s mailing address, the obligor’s telephone number, and the obligor’s vehicle service contract provider license number. (B) State the name of the purchaser and the name of the seller. (C) Conspicuously state the vehicle service contract’s purchase price. (D) Comply with Sections 1794.4 and 1794.41 of the Civil Code. (E) Name the administrator, if any, and provide the administrator’s license number. (4) If the vehicle service contract excludes coverage for preexisting conditions, the contract must disclose this exclusion in 12-point type. (c) The following benefits constitute insurance, whether offered as part of a vehicle service contract or in a separate agreement: (1) Indemnification for a loss caused by misplacement, theft, collision, fire, or other peril typically covered in the comprehensive coverage section of an automobile insurance policy, a homeowner’s policy, or a marine or inland marine policy, except as expressly authorized in subdivision (c) of Section 12800. (2) Locksmith services, unless offered as part of an emergency road service benefit. (d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2017.

Source: official California text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About California § 12820

What does Public Contract Code - PCC § 12820 cover?

Section 12820 ("Prior to offering a vehicle service contract form to a purchaser or providing a v") is part of the Public Contract Code - PCC, the codified statutory law of California. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite California § 12820?

A common citation format is "Public Contract Code - PCC § 12820" (California). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of California law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the California official source linked on this page or consult a licensed California attorney.

How does California § 12820 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in California can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in California.