About Us

California - State Flag

The California Life & Health Insurance Guarantee Association is a statutory entity created in 1991 when the California legislature enacted the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association Act (see Additional Information for a copy of the Act). The guarantee association is composed of all insurers licensed to sell life insurance, health insurance, and annuities in the state of California. In the event that a member insurer is found to be insolvent and is ordered to be liquidated by a court, the Guarantee Association Act enables the guarantee association to provide protection (up to the limits spelled out in the Act) to California residents who are holders of life and health insurance policies, and annuity contracts, with the insolvent insurer.

Specifically, when a member insurer is found to be insolvent and is ordered liquidated, a special deputy receiver takes over the insurer under court supervision and processes the assets and liabilities through liquidation. The task of servicing the insurance company's policies and providing coverage to California's resident policyholders becomes the responsibility of the guarantee association. The protection provided by the guarantee association is based on California law and the language of the insolvent company's policies at the time of insolvency.

We will make every effort to ensure that the information provided here is in accordance with the most current law in the event that the California legislature amends the Guarantee Association Act or other laws. However, if there should be any inconsistency between the Guarantee Association Act or any other law or regulation and the information on this Web site, the relevant law will supersede. In light of these changes in law and the dramatic variations in policy language, the association cannot make statements regarding coverage of a specific policy unless it is a policy with a company for which the association has been activated to provide protection. Finally, this Web site is for general information purposes and should not be relied upon as legal advice.

Again, we hope the information provided in this Web site is useful. Be sure to read the Frequently Asked Questions section of the site for more information, and please refer to the Contact Us section if you have any questions for the guarantee association.