PURPOSE: The department defines appointment of an agent, as used in section 375.022, RSMo, so an insurance company knows what act(s) constitutes appointment of an agent to act for the insurance company.

1. (1) As used in section 375.022, RSMo appointment of an agent means the earliest on which an insurance company, or its authorized agent does any of the following:

   1. (A) Distributes an application form, which on its face requires submission of premium at the time of completing the application with a consumer, to the prospective agent, unless the application form is marked in bold type as a specimen;
   2. (B) Accepts premiums from the prospective insurance agent;
   3. (C) Accepts for underwriting an application for insurance submitted by the prospective insurance agent;
   4. (D) Executes a written or oral employment contract with the prospective insurance agent; or
   5. (E) Grants binding authority given to the prospective insurance agent.
2. (2) The rule does not apply to individuals licensed as insurance brokers in Missouri.

AUTHORITY: section 375.022, RSMo (Cum. Supp. 1991).* This rule was previously filed as 4 CSR 190-12.120. Original rule filed Aug. 8, 1989, effective Feb. 1, 1990.

*Original authority 1967, 1981, 1991.