Michigan § 500.5114 - Insurance agents.

All agents licensed by the state of Michigan to sell property and casualty insurance shall be authorized to sell workers' compensation and employers' liability insurance issued by, and to place such business with, the acquiring insurer for a period of 3 years commencing on the effective date of the transfer. The acquiring insurer shall pay reasonable compensation for business placed with and services rendered in connection with that business.

After the effective date of the transfer to an acquiring insurer, the acquiring insurer shall contract with any insurance agent association having at least 300 members, to serve as a general agent of the acquiring insurer. Any agent licensed by the state of Michigan to sell property and casualty insurance, under contract with the general agent, shall be authorized to sell worker's disability compensation and employer's liability insurance for the acquiring insurer. The general agent shall not require the agent to be a member of the association.

Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), but subject to the remaining provisions of this section, the acquiring insurer may contract with any licensed agent to represent the acquiring insurer.

The acquiring insurer shall not unfairly discriminate against any agent in providing assistance in marketing, payment, or settlement of claims, or any other matters related to marketing, placing business, or handling claims. A pilot or test program of a term not exceeding 6 months in duration shall not constitute unfair discrimination under this section.

After the 3-year period provided by subsection (1), the acquiring insurer shall not withhold such appointment unreasonably and shall pay reasonable compensation for business placed with and services rendered in connection with that business. After the 3-year period provided by subsection (1), the acquiring insurer, subject to the provisions of this section and chapter 12, shall have the sole discretion to determine those agents who shall be appointed to represent the acquiring insurer.

During the 3-year period, the agent's authority shall not be suspended, limited, or terminated by the acquiring insurer, except for 1 or more of the following reasons:

Malfeasance.

Breach of fiduciary duty or trust.

A persistent tendency to violate the procedures outlined in the acquiring insurer's basic manuals for Michigan worker's compensation and employer's liability insurance.