(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code or another insurance law of this state, the company is not required to appoint a general property and casualty agent to act as an agent for the company.
(b) An agent who transacts business with the company acts as an agent for the applicant and not as an agent for the company, unless the company and the agent have entered into a written agreement for the agent to act on behalf of the company.