Arkansas Code Title 23. Public Utilities and Regulated Industries § 23-64-230 Termination of agents--Renewal of contracts

(a)(1) Any insurance company authorized to transact fire or casualty business in this state shall, upon termination of an agent's appointment by the company, permit the renewal of all contracts of insurance written by the agent for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of the termination, as determined by the individual underwriting requirements of the company, unless the insurance company is deemed by the Insurance Commissioner to be in a hazardous, impaired, or insolvent condition.

(2) Provided, in the case of a contract not meeting the underwriting requirements, the company shall give the agent sixty (60) days' notice of its intention not to renew the contract.

(3) Provided further that the periods of time may be reduced as the commissioner may deem necessary to adequately protect the insured or to secure the solvency of the company.

(b)(1) No insurance agency contract entered into in this state by a licensed insurer with an insurance agent licensed under § 23-64-101 et seq. shall be terminated by the licensed insurer unless the agent is given at least ninety (90) days' advance written notice of the intent to terminate the contract.

(2) Provided, if the contract is cancelled for failure of the agent to pay over moneys due the insurer after written demand therefor or for breach of contract, the advance notice shall not be required.

(3) Provided further, during the ninety-day period after any such notice, the licensed insurance agent shall not write or bind any new business on behalf of the licensed insurer without the specific written approval of the business by the insurer.

(f)(1) This section shall not apply to agents or brokers of a company or group of companies whose agents or brokers by contractual agreement represent only that company or group of companies or whose agents are required by contractual agreement to submit all applications for insurance for the classes and lines underwritten by such a company or group of companies to that company or group of companies, and the book of business is owned by the company or group of companies.

(2) The cancellation of any agent's or broker's contractual agreement shall not result in the cancellation or refusal to renew any policy of insurance.