Cal. Ins. Code § 1766

A payment of premium to a surplus line broker acting for a person other than himself or herself in negotiating, continuing, or renewing any policy of insurance under this chapter shall be deemed to be payment to the insurer, notwithstanding any conditions or stipulations in the policy or contract. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to relieve a surplus line broker or special lines’ surplus line broker of any obligation owed to a home state insured or home state insured applicant.