News & Updates

Department of Financial Services

DFS Reminds Agencies that Inspection Referral Fees are Prohibited

DFS Reminds Agencies that Inspection Referral Fees are Prohibited

The Florida Department of Financial Services has issued a reminder to insurance agents and agencies that referral fees for inspectors are prohibited.  DFS points out that an insurance agent, customer representative, or agency employee is prohibited from directly or indirectly accepting any compensation, inducement, or reward from an inspector for the referral of the owner […]

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DFS Reminds Agencies of Name Requirements

DFS Reminds Agencies of Name Requirements

The Department of Financial Services (DFS) has issued a reminder to prospective insurance agency licensees to use caution when selecting their agency names.  DFS notes that by law, it may disapprove the use of any true or fictitious name, other than the bona fide name of an individual, if the name violates certain guidelines. Specifically, an agency name […]

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DFS Cautions Against Use of Unlicensed Personnel

DFS Cautions Against Use of Unlicensed Personnel

The Florida Department of Financial Services points out that unlicensed personnel have limited discretion as to how they can support the operations of an insurance agency. The scope of these activities are further described in Rule Chapter 69B-222, Florida Administrative Code.  Incidental activities and compensation are two of the most important points to remember when […]

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DFS Summarizes Referral Fee Restrictions

DFS Summarizes Referral Fee Restrictions

The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) recently published a reminder relating to restrictions on referrals fees.  DFS notes that it commonly receives questions about referral fees and periodically publishes guidance to remind licensees of applicable requirements. According to DFS, an agent may pay an unlicensed person for referrals of potential clients as long as […]

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DFS Discusses Navigator Registration

DFS Discusses Navigator Registration

The Florida Department of Financial Services has published a compliance reminder relating to the registration of navigators.  The following identifies the guidance recently published by DFS. What is a navigator? “Navigator” means an individual authorized by the Federally-Facilitated Exchange (Exchange), also known as the Marketplace to serve as a navigator, or who works on behalf […]

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Limitations on Agents’ Fees

Limitations on Agents’ Fees

The Florida Department of Financial Services from time to time takes enforcement actions against agents who charge unauthorized fees to policyholders.  In these situations, the agents typically are receiving their commissions from the insurers and separately are telling consumers they also must pay add-on charges by various names–  documents fees, notary fees, etc.  In a […]

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DFS Reminds Industry of Scope of “Transacting” Insurance

DFS Reminds Industry of Scope of “Transacting” Insurance

One of the questions we receive from time to time is whether certain activities require an individual or business to obtain an agents’ license in Florida.  The Florida Department of Financial Services recently addressed this in a short article describing what it means to “transact” insurance in Florida.  In general, a person must obtain an […]

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DFS Merges Units to Create Enhanced Investigative Team

DFS Merges Units to Create Enhanced Investigative Team

The Florida Department of Financial Services has combined three of its law enforcement units into a single division to create efficiencies and streamline its investigatory functions.  Previously, DFS operated three sworn law enforcement units–  the Division of Insurance Fraud, the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, and the Office of Fiscal Integrity.  Effective July 1, […]

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DFS Reminds Agencies of Agent in Charge Requirements

DFS Reminds Agencies of Agent in Charge Requirements

The Florida Department of Financial Services has reminded agencies that each insurance agency, and each location of a multiple location agency, must have a designated agent in charge. The agent in charge (AIC) is defined as the licensed and appointed agent responsible for the supervision of all individuals within an insurance agency. Each business location […]

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DFS Reminds Agencies of Prohibition Against Misleading Names

DFS Reminds Agencies of Prohibition Against Misleading Names

The Department of Financial Services has reminded agencies of the statutory prohibition against misleading names.  Section 626.602, Florida Statutes, allows DFS to disapprove an agency’s name if the name may mislead the public or if the name implies the agency is an insurer, state or federal agency, charitable organization, or an entity that provides advice and […]

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