515.129 Cancellation or nonrenewal of commercial umbrella or excess policies or contracts.

1. As used in this section, “umbrella or excess insurance policy” means a commercial line policy or contract of insurance providing liability or property coverage over one or more underlying policies or over a specified amount of self-insured retention. Umbrella or excess insurance policy includes policies or contracts written over an umbrella or excess insurance policy or policies.

2. An umbrella or excess insurance policy which has not previously been renewed may be canceled by the insurer if it has been in effect for less than sixty days at the time notice of cancellation is mailed or delivered.

3. An umbrella or excess insurance policy which has been renewed or which has been in effect for sixty or more days shall not be canceled by the insurer, except as provided in section 515.127, subsections 2 and 3, unless notice has been mailed or delivered to the insured as required by this section or unless at least one of the following conditions occurs:

a. A material change in the limits, scope of coverage, or exclusions in one or more of the underlying policies.

b. Cancellation or nonrenewal of one or more of the underlying policies where the policies are not replaced without lapse.

c. A reduction in the financial rating or grade of one or more of the insurers insuring one or more of the underlying policies based on an evaluation by a recognized financial rating organization.

4. A notice of cancellation is not effective unless mailed by certified mail or delivered to the named insured and any loss payee at least ten days prior to the effective date of cancellation. A notice of cancellation shall include the reason for cancellation of the umbrella or excess insurance policy. A post office department certificate of mailing to the named insured at the address shown in the umbrella or excess policy is proof of receipt of the mailing; however, such a certificate of mailing is not required if cancellation is for nonpayment of premium.

5. An insurer shall not fail to renew an umbrella or excess insurance policy except by notice to the insured as provided in this section; however, an insurer may condition renewal of an umbrella or excess insurance policy upon requirements relating to the underlying policy or policies. If the requirements are not satisfied as of the expiration date of the umbrella or excess insurance policy, or thirty days after mailing or delivery of the notice, whichever is later, the conditional renewal notice shall be deemed to be an effective notice of nonrenewal. This subsection does not apply if the insurer has offered to renew or if the insured fails to pay a premium due or any advance premium required by the insurer for renewal.

6. A notice of nonrenewal is not effective unless mailed by certified mail or delivered to the named insured and any loss payee at least forty-five days prior to the expiration date of the umbrella or excess insurance policy. If the insurer fails to meet the notice requirements of this subsection the insured has the option of continuing the policy for the remainder of the notice period plus an additional thirty days at the premium rate of the existing umbrella or excess policy.

7. Sections 515.127 and 515.128 are not applicable to umbrella or excess insurance policies except as provided in subsection 3.

90 Acts, ch 1234, §40

C91, §515.81C

2007 Acts, ch 152, §13, 60

CS2007, §515.129

2008 Acts, ch 1074, §10

Referred to in §515.125, 515.126