Effective 01 Jan 2003, see footnote

375.031. Definitions. — As used in sections 375.031 to 375.039, the following words and terms mean:

(1) "Director", the director of the department of commerce and insurance;

(2) "Exclusive insurance producer", any licensed insurance producer whose contract with an insurer requires the insurance producer to act as an agent only for that insurer or a group of insurers under common ownership or control or other insurers authorized by that insurer;

(3) "Independent insurance producer", any licensed insurance producer representing an insurance company as an independent contractor and not as an employee, or any individual, partnership or corporation transacting business with the public or insurance companies as an agent is an independent insurance producer, but shall not include an exclusive insurance producer;

(4) "Insurer", any property and casualty insurance company doing business in the state of Missouri.

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(L. 1979 H.B. 506 § 1, A.L. 1985 S.B. 329, A.L. 1986 S.B. 701 merged with H.B. 1554 Revision, A.L. 2001 S.B. 193)

Effective 1-01-03

(1991) Where statute defining "insurer" is ambiguous and legislative intent was to protect independent agents from termination without notice by insurance companies that write either property or casualty insurance, definition of term "insurer" for purposes of sections 375.031 to 375.039 includes companies which write either property or casualty insurance, as well as those who write both types of insurance. Risk Control Associates, Inc. v. Melahn, 822 S.W.2d 531 (Mo.App.).