1. 1. The title insurer shall not allow the issuance of its commitments or policies by a title agency or title agent not affiliated with a title agency unless there is in force a written contract between the parties which sets forth the responsibilities of each party or, where both parties share responsibility for particular functions, specifies the division of responsibilities.
2. 2. For each title agency or title agent not affiliated with a title agency under contract with the insurer, the title insurer shall have on file a statement of financial condition, of each title agency or title agent as of the end of the previous calendar or fiscal year setting forth an income statement of business done during the preceding year and a balance sheet showing the condition of its affairs as of the close of the prior year, certified by the agency or agent as being a true and accurate representation of the agency's or agent's financial condition. The statement shall be filed with the insurer no later than the date the agency's or agent's federal income tax return for the same year is filed. Attorneys actively engaged in the practice of law, in addition to that related to title insurance business, are exempt from the requirements of this subsection.
3. 3. The title insurer shall conduct reviews of the underwriting, claims and escrow practices of its agencies and agents which shall include a review of the agency's or agent's policy blank inventory and processing operations. If any such title agency or title agent does not maintain separate bank or trust accounts for each title insurer it represents, the title insurer shall verify that the funds held on its behalf are reasonably ascertainable from the books of account and records of the title agency or title agent not affiliated with a title agency. The title insurer shall conduct a review of each of its agencies and agents at least triennially commencing January first of the year first following January 1, 2001.
4. 4. Within thirty days of executing or terminating a contract with a title agency or title agent not affiliated with a title agency, the insurer shall provide notification of the appointment or termination and the reason for termination to the director. Notices of appointment of a title agency or title agent shall be made on a form promulgated by the director.
5. 5. The title insurer shall maintain an inventory of all policy numbers allocated to each title agency or title agent not affiliated with a title agency.
6. 6. The title insurer shall have on file proof that the title agency or title agent is licensed by this state.
7. 7. The title insurer shall establish the underwriting guidelines and, where applicable, limitations on title claims settlement authority to be incorporated into contracts with its title agencies and title agents not affiliated with a title agency.
8. 8. Each violation of any provision of this section is a class B violation as that term is defined in section 381.045.

(L. 2000 S.B. 894)

Effective 1-1-01

(2002) Senate Bill 894 provision declared unconstitutional as a violation of the clear title requirement of Art. III, Section 23. Home Builders of Greater St. Louis v. State, 75 S.W.3d 267 (Mo.banc).