§ 56-6-115 — Appointments

(a) An insurance producer shall not act as an agent of an insurer unless the insurance producer becomes an appointed agent of that insurer. An insurance producer who is not acting as an agent of an insurer is not required to become appointed. (b) An insurance producer who solicits or negotiates an application for insurance shall be regarded, in any controversy arising from the application for insurance or any policy issued in connection with the application between the insured or insured's beneficiary and the insurer, as the agent of the insurer and not the insured or insured's beneficiary. This subsection (b) shall not affect the apparent authority of an agent. (c) To appoint a producer as its agent, the appointing insurer shall file, in a format approved by the commissioner, a notice of appointment within fifteen (15) days from the date the agency contract is executed or the first insurance application is submitted. An insurer may also elect to appoint a producer to all or some insurers within the insurer's holding company system or group by the filing of a single appointment request. (d) Upon receipt of the notice of appointment, the commissioner shall verify within a reasonable time, not to exceed thirty (30) days, that the insurance producer is eligible for appointment. If the insurance producer is determined to be ineligible for appointment, the commissioner shall notify the insurer within five (5) days of the determination. (e) An insurer shall pay an appointment fee, in the amount set in § 56-6-121 , for each insurance producer appointed by the insurer. The fees under this section may be paid by the insurer on a quarterly basis. (f) Any insurance producer may place excess or rejected risks with an insurer lawfully doing business within this state, and shall not be required to enter into an agency contract or agreement with the insurer accepting such excess or rejected risks or be appointed by such insurer; provided, that only that portion of the risk in excess of the limits which the insurer will write may be placed as an excess risk, and: (1) The insurance producer has an agency contract or agreement with an insurer that actually engages in the writing of the insurance; and (2) The insurer has deemed the risk to be in excess of, or in noncompliance with, its underwriting standards. (g) No insurance producer may place an application for insurance with any residual market mechanism, as defined by § 56-5-102 , unless the insurance producer: (1) Has an agency contract or agreement with an insurer that actually engages in the writing of the insurance; and (2) Makes a diligent effort to place the application for insurance with the insurer. (h) It is unlawful for any insurer to accept applications from, or pay commissions to, an insurance producer or limited lines producer except in accordance with this section. Any insurer who unlawfully accepts applications from, or pays commissions to, any insurance producer shall be deemed to have accepted and acknowledged the person as its insurance producer or limited lines producer. (i) An individual not duly licensed as an insurance producer or limited lines producer who solicits a policy of insurance on behalf of an insurer shall become liable for all the duties, requirements, liabilities and penalties to which an insurance producer of the insurer is subject.

Legislative History

Acts 2002, ch. 798, § 16.