33-14-304. Cancellation of insurance upon default. - Montana Statutes

     33-14-304. Cancellation of insurance upon default. (1) When a premium finance agreement contains a power of attorney or other authority enabling the insurance premium finance company to cancel any insurance contract listed in the agreement, the insurance contract or contracts may not be canceled by the premium finance company unless the cancellation is effectuated in accordance with this section.
     (2) Written notice must be mailed to the insured setting forth the intent of the insurance premium finance company to cancel the insurance contract unless the default is cured prior to the date stated in the notice. The written notice must be mailed at least 10 days prior to the date stated in the notice. The insurance producer indicated on the premium finance agreement must also be mailed 10 days' notice of this action.
     (3) Pursuant to the power of attorney or other authority referred to above, the insurance premium finance company may cancel on behalf of the insured by mailing to the insurer written notice stating when the cancellation will become effective, and the insurance contract must be canceled as if the notice of cancellation had been submitted by the insured but without requiring the return of the insurance contract. If the insurer or its insurance producer does not provide the insurance premium finance company with a specific mailing address for the purpose of receipt of the notice, mailing by the insurance premium finance company to the insurer at the address that is on file with the commissioner is considered sufficient notice under this section. The insurance premium finance company shall also mail a notice of cancellation to the insured at the insured's last-known address and to the insurance producer indicated on the premium finance agreement.
     (4) All statutory, regulatory, and contractual restrictions providing that the insurance contract may not be canceled unless notice is given to a governmental agency, mortgagee, or other third party apply whenever cancellation is effected under the provisions of this section. The insurer shall give the prescribed notice in behalf of itself or the insured to any governmental agency, mortgagee, or other third party on or before the second business day after the day it receives the notice of cancellation from the premium finance company and shall determine the effective date of cancellation taking into consideration the number of days' notice required to complete the cancellation.

     History: En. Sec. 10, Ch. 360, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 713, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 44, Ch. 379, L. 1995.