Effective 28 Aug 2008

375.001. Definitions. — 1. As used in this chapter, unless otherwise clearly indicated by the context, the following words mean:

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

(2) "Director", the director of the department of commerce and insurance.

2. As used in sections 375.001 to 375.008 the following words and terms mean:

(1) "Insurer", all insurance companies, reciprocals, or interinsurance exchanges transacting the business of insurance in this state;

(2) "Nonpayment of premium", failure of the named insured to discharge when due any of his obligations in connection with the payment of premiums on the policy, or any installment of the premium, whether the premium is payable directly to the insurer or its agent or indirectly under any premium finance plan or extension of credit;

(3) "Nonrenewal", the determination of an insurer not to issue or deliver a policy replacing at the end of the policy period a policy previously issued and delivered by the same insurer or a certificate or notice extending the term of a policy beyond its policy period or term;

(4) "Policy", a contract of insurance providing fire and extended coverage insurance, whether separately or in combination with other coverages, on owner-occupied habitational property not exceeding two families. "Policy" does not include any insurance contracts issued under a property insurance inspection and placement program ("FAIR" plan) or an assigned risk plan, or any insurance contracts insuring property not used predominantly for habitational purposes, or an insurance contract insuring a mobile home;

(5) "Renewal" or "to renew", the issuance and delivery by an insurer of a policy replacing at the end of the policy period a policy previously issued and delivered by the same insurer, or the issuance and delivery of a certificate or notice extending the term of the policy beyond its policy period or term. Any policy with a policy period or term of less than six months shall for the purposes of sections 375.001 to 375.008 be considered as if written for a policy period or term of six months. Any policy written for a term longer than one year or any policy with no fixed expiration date shall, for the purpose of sections 375.001 to 375.008, be considered as if written for successive policy periods or terms of one year, and the policy may be terminated at the expiration of any annual period upon giving thirty days' notice of cancellation prior to the anniversary date, and the cancellation shall not be subject to any other provisions of sections 375.001 to 375.008.

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(L. 1977 S.B. 300 § 1, A.L. 2008 S.B. 788)