(a) If an insurer or an insurer's agent issues an insurance policy without authority and the policyholder sustains a loss or damage covered under the policy, the insurer is liable to the policyholder under the policy in the same manner and to the same extent as if the insurer had been authorized to issue the policy, although the policy was issued in violation of this code.
(b) This section may not be construed to give an insurer the authority to issue an insurance policy or contract other than as provided by this code.