PLCaliforniaeasy
Under California Insurance Code §§ 2070-2071, a homeowners or fire policy issued in California must:
AUse the ISO HO 00 03 special form verbatim and without any California-specific endorsements, modifications, or amendatory language whatsoever
BLimit recovery to actual cash value only on both the dwelling and the contents, regardless of the premium the insured actually paid
CBe filed for approval with the NAIC in addition to, or instead of, the California Department of Insurance prior to issuance
Provide coverage at least equivalent to the statutory Standard Form Fire Insurance Policy
Why this is the answer
Cal. Ins. Code § 2070 requires every fire policy issued in California to be on or at least equivalent to the Standard Form set out in § 2071. The legislature anchored California's homeowners marketplace to this floor so insurers cannot strip statutory protections (appraisal, suit limitation, mortgage clause) by drafting their own form. Carriers commonly file richer ISO HO forms, but each must include the § 2071 provisions either verbatim or in language no less favorable to the insured.
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