MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Judiciary A

By: Representative Robinson (84th)

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT LEGAL ACTIONS BETWEEN AN INSURANCE COMPANY AND ITS AGENT SHALL BE BROUGHT IN THE COUNTY OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI WHEREIN THE AGENT RESIDES AND NOT IN THE STATE WHERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS DOMICILED OR WHERE THE CONTRACT IS ENTERED; TO PROVIDE THAT PROVISIONS IN CERTAIN INSURANCE CONTRACTS ISSUED AFTER JULY 1, 1997, REQUIRING DISPUTES TO BE LITIGATED OUTSIDE THE STATE SHALL BE VOID; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) The venue for any legal action brought by an insurance company against its agent shall be in the county of the State of Mississippi wherein the agent resides, if the agent is a resident of this state, and not in the state where the insurance company is domiciled or where the contract is entered.

(2) From and after the effective date of this act, any provision contained in any contract or agreement between an insurance company and its agent, who is a resident of Mississippi, requiring disputes to be litigated outside the State of Mississippi shall be void.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.