§ 48.17.160. Appointment of agents -- Revocation -- Expiration -- Renewal
(1) Each insurer on appointing an agent in this state shall file written notice thereof with the commissioner on forms as prescribed and furnished by the commissioner, and shall pay the filing fee therefor as provided in RCW 48.14.010. The commissioner shall return the appointment of agent form to the insurer for distribution to the agent. The commissioner may adopt regulations establishing alternative appointment procedures for individuals within licensed firms, corporations, or sole proprietorships who are empowered to exercise the authority conferred by the firm, corporate, or sole proprietorship license.
(2) Each appointment shall be effective until the agent's license expires or is revoked, the appointment has expired, or written notice of termination of the appointment is filed with the commissioner, whichever occurs first.
(3) When the appointment is revoked by the insurer, written notice of such revocation shall be given to the agent and a copy of the notice of revocation shall be mailed to the commissioner.
(4) Revocation of an appointment by the insurer shall be deemed to be effective as of the date designated in the notice as being the effective date if the notice is actually received by the agent prior to such designated date; otherwise, as of the earlier of the following dates:
(a) The date such notice of revocation was received by the agent.
(b) The date such notice, if mailed to the agent at his last address of record with the insurer, in due course should have been received by the agent.
(5) Appointments expire if not timely renewed. Each insurer shall pay the renewal fee set forth for each agent holding an appointment on the renewal date assigned the agents of the insurer by the commissioner. The commissioner, by rule, shall determine renewal dates. If a staggered system is used, fees shall be prorated in the conversion to a staggered system.
[1994 c 131 § 5; 1990 1st ex.s. c 3 § 3; 1979 ex.s. c 269 § 2; 1967 c 150 § 20; 1959 c 225 § 6; 1955 c 303 § 13; 1947 c 79 § .17.16; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 45.17.16.]
Notes:
Effective date, implementation -- 1979 ex.s. c 269: See note following RCW 48.14.010.
RCW 48.17.160
(1) An insurance producer or title insurance agent shall not act as an agent of an insurer unless the insurance producer or title insurance agent 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.
(2) To appoint an insurance producer or title insurance agent as its agent, the appointing insurer shall file, in a format approved by the commissioner, a notice of appointment within fifteen days from the date the agency contract is executed or when the first insurance application is submitted, whichever is later.
(3) Upon receipt of the notice of appointment, the commissioner shall verify within a reasonable time, not to exceed thirty days, that the insurance producer or title insurance agent is eligible for appointment. If the insurance producer or title insurance agent is determined to be ineligible for appointment, the commissioner shall notify the insurer within ten days of the determination.
(4) An insurer shall pay an appointment fee, in the amount and method of payment set forth in RCW 48.14.010, for each insurance producer or title insurance agent appointed by the insurer.
(5) Contingent upon payment of the appointment renewal fee as set forth in RCW 48.14.010, an appointment shall be effective until terminated by the insurance company, insurance producer, or title insurance agent and notice has been given to the commissioner as required by RCW 48.17.595.
[2007 c 117 § 11; 1994 c 131 § 5; 1990 1st ex.s. c 3 § 3; 1979 ex.s. c 269 § 2; 1967 c 150 § 20; 1959 c 225 § 6; 1955 c 303 § 13; 1947 c 79 § .17.16; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 45.17.16.]
Notes:
Effective date, implementation -- 1979 ex.s. c 269: See note following RCW 48.14.010.
Sections: Previous 48.17.100 48.17.110 48.17.120 48.17.125 48.17.130 48.17.150 48.17.153 48.17.160 48.17.170 48.17.173 48.17.175 48.17.180 48.17.190 48.17.200 48.17.210 Next
Last modified: April 7, 2009