CAUTION

The increase to $7500 is for natural persons. Other forms of persons—including corporations, partnerships, unincorporated associations, governmental entities, and any other forms of persons that may exist now or in the future, other than individuals—do not qualify for the increase. [Stats 2005, ch 618, §1(b)(1).] An unincorporated sole proprietor, however, who files a claim using his or her fictitious business name is considered to be a natural person and should be able to file a claim up to $7500. [See Providence Washington Ins. Co. v Valley Forge Ins. Co.(1996) 42 CA4th 1194, 1199–1200.]