§ 139.110 RSMo — Attachment of tax lien to insurance — waive lien — claims

1. In the event of the destruction by fire, windstorm or tornado of any permanent buildings and/or improvements situate upon any land or lot, and which permanent buildings and/or improvements at the time of destruction were situate upon any land or lot against which taxes were then levied and assessed, and was so situate at the time of such levy and assessment, the lien of such taxes shall attach to and follow any insurance that may be upon said property at the time of its destruction, and the insurer shall pay to the county collector from said insurance money, and limited to the extent thereof, all taxes, interest and cost then due, levied and assessed against the identical land or lot upon which was situate the buildings and/or improvements destroyed, and such payment shall discharge the obligation of the insurer to the amount paid; provided, however, if in the opinion of the county collector the destruction of such building and/or improvement will not prejudice the collection of such taxes, then in such event the county collector shall be authorized, in writing, addressed to the insurance company or companies, to waive and/or release the lien by this section given. The lien given by this section shall be a first and paramount lien upon the money due in event of the contingency herein referred to.

2. The assured or person making claim for loss on any permanent buildings and/or improvements from any insurance company shall file with such company a statement from the collector or collectors in writing, with such claim, that there are no taxes against said buildings and/or improvements and describing said property, or that taxes exist against the same and the amount and description thereof, and whether or not such lien is waived, as the case may be, and no such claim for loss may be maintained until such statement shall have been filed by claimant. This section shall not provide a basis for the dismissal of a lawsuit filed for a loss.

3. The provisions of this section shall not apply unless the loss exceeds fifty percent of the face value of the amount specified in the policy and applicable to the property involved.