1. As used in this section, “insurer” includes every insurance company authorized to transact business in this state, every unauthorized insurance company transacting business pursuant to chapter 384, every risk retention group, every insurance company issuing policies or providing benefits to or through a purchasing group, and any other person providing medical malpractice insurance coverage in this state.

2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no insurer shall, with regards to medical malpractice insurance, as defined in section 383.150:

(1) Fail or refuse to renew the insurance without first providing written notice by certified United States mail to the insured at least sixty days prior to the effective date of such actions, unless such failure or refusal to renew is based upon a failure to pay sums due or a termination or suspension of the health care provider’s license to practice medicine in the state of Missouri, termination of the insurer’s reinsurance program, or a material change in the nature of the insured’s health care practice; or

(2) Cease the issuance of such policies of insurance in the state of Missouri without first providing written notice by certified United States mail to the insured and to the Missouri department of commerce and insurance at least one hundred eighty days prior to the effective date of such actions.

3. Any insurer that fails to provide the notice required under subdivision (1) of subsection 2 of this section shall, at the option of the insured, continue the coverage for the remainder of the notice period plus an additional thirty days at the premium rate of the existing policy.