HCS SCS SB 197 -- SERVICE CONTRACTS

SPONSOR:  Loudon (Yates)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Insurance
Policy by a vote of 12 to 0.

This substitute changes the laws regarding motor vehicle and
product service contracts and rental agreements.

MOTOR VEHICLE SERVICE CONTRACTS

The substitute:

(1)  Specifies that "fronting company" means a dealer that
authorizes a third-party administrator or provider to use its
name or business to evade or circumvent a sale, an offer for
sale, or a solicitation for the sale of a service contract to a
consumer;

(2)  Allows only motor vehicle dealers and manufacturers, boat
dealers, federally insured depository institutions, and licensed
lenders to market or sell motor vehicle extended service
contracts;

(3)  Prohibits a dealer from acting as a fronting company; and

(4)  Creates penalties for a violation of these provisions.

PRODUCT SERVICE CONTRACTS

The substitute:

(1)  Prohibits any person from issuing or selling a product
service contract without registering and paying a fee to the
Director of the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions,
and Professional Registration;

(2)  Requires providers of service contracts to maintain at least
one of the following:

(a)  A funded reserve account of at least 40% of gross
consideration received less claims paid;

(b)  A financial security deposit with the department director of
at least 5% of the gross consideration received less claims paid;

(c)  A net worth of $100 million; or

(d)  A reimbursement insurance policy covering 100% of the
service contract obligations;

(3)  Prohibits provider fees collected from being subject to
premium taxes and exempts the person selling the contract from
other state licensing laws if all requirements are met;

(4)  Requires providers of service contracts to furnish a written
statement to the consumer specifying their obligations and
conveying terms and restrictions.  Misleading advertising is
prohibited;

(5)  Requires providers of service contracts to maintain accurate
records of every transaction for a period of at least three years
after the specified period of coverage has expired.  Records must
be made available to the department upon request;

(6)  Prohibits insurers who issue reimbursement insurance
policies from terminating a policy without notifying the
department director.  Insurers have the right to seek
indemnification against a provider if the insurer pays the amount
under the service contract that the provider was obligated to
pay; and

(7)  Creates penalties for a violation of the provisions of the
substitute.

MOTOR VEHICLE RENTAL AGREEMENTS

The substitute requires motor vehicle rental companies to itemize
all fees charged and to disclose this information any time a
price is advertised and on the rental agreement.

The provisions of the substitute regarding motor vehicle service
contracts and product service contracts become effective January
1, 2008.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on General Revenue Fund in FY 2008, FY
2009, and FY 2010.  Estimated Effect on Other State Funds of an
income of $3,083 in FY 2008, a cost of $20,020 in FY 2009, and a
cost of $21,288 in FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill provides regulatory
frame work for service contracts.  Forty-four states have already
adopted similar legislation.  The bill will help ensure that
consumers are dealing with legitimate companies.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Loudon; Assurant,
Incorporated; Missouri Insurance Coalition; National Vehicle
Protection Association; Service Contract Industry Council;
Automotive Service Contract Direct Marketing Association; Asurion
Corporation; and Missouri Automobile Dealers Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:21 am