Notwithstanding any direct or implied prohibitions in chapter 375, 377, or 379, any three or more political subdivisions of this state may form a business entity for the purpose described in section 320.400 or for the purpose of providing liability and all other insurance, including insurance for elderly or low-income housing in which the political subdivision has an insurable interest, for any of the subdivisions upon the assessment plan as provided in sections 537.600 to 537.650. Any public governmental body or quasi-public governmental body, as defined in section 610.010, and any political subdivision of this state or any other state may join this entity and use public funds to pay any necessary assessments. Except for being subject to the regulation of the director of the department of commerce and insurance under sections 375.930 to 375.948, sections 375.1000 to 375.1018, and sections 537.600 to 537.650, any such business entity shall not be deemed to be an insurance company or insurer under the laws of this state, and the coverage provided by such entity and the administration of such entity shall not be deemed to constitute the transaction of an insurance business. Risk coverages procured under this section shall not be deemed to constitute a contract, purchase, or expenditure of public funds for which a public governmental body, quasi-public governmental body, or political subdivision is required to solicit competitive bids.