The following are instances in which licensees or
other persons violated the Florida Insurance Code and the administrative
action the department has taken against them.
Note: All
administrative investigations are subject to referral to the Division of Insurance Fraud for criminal investigation.
Case:
An investigation of a title insurance agent alleged that she
misappropriated escrow funds, failed to remit premiums due to an
insurer and failed to disperse funds in accordance with the HUD-1
Settlement Statement.
Disposition: License revoked and
permanently banned from the insurance industry.
Case: An investigation of
a life, health and variable annuity agent alleged that he
submitted fraudulent insurance applications to an insurer,
including one without accepting premium.
Disposition: License revoked.
Case:
An investigation of a title insurance agency alleged that an
officer overcharged for a recording fee, charged separate line
items that were part of the closing fee, failed to reconcile the
escrow account, failed to maintain proper records, and failed to
provide a current business address to the Department.
Disposition: License surrendered for
24 months.
Case:
An administrative complaint filed against
a life, health and variable annuity agent and his
agency alleged that he allowed unlicensed employees to
solicit and sell health insurance on behalf of the
agency, some of which made misrepresentations to
customers.
Disposition: The agency was fined
$10,000 and the agent $5,000. The agent also was
required to implement a corrective action plan at the
agency that included ensuring all the employees obtained
a license.
Case:
An investigation of a nonresident managing general agent
(MGA) alleged that it failed to require a customer representative to cease
performing all customer representative duties without a supervising agent,
failed to designate a new licensed and appointed general lines agent to
supervise the customer representative.
Disposition: Fined $10,000 and
probation for 12 months.
Case:
An investigation of a roofing company
alleged that it advertised itself to conduct public adjusting
activities, which it was not licensed to do.
Disposition: Fined $5,000 and ordered
to cease and desist from advertising itself as able to conduct
public adjusting activities.
Case:
An investigation of an automobile warranty licensee alleged it
distributed misleading advertisements for automobile warranty
products.
Disposition: Fined $5,000.
Case:
An investigation of a general lines agent alleged he failed
to return unearned premium to an insured in a timely manner.
Disposition: Fined $2,500 and probation for 12 months.
Case:
An investigation of a public adjuster apprentice alleged that he
solicited an adjusting contract for services without the direct
supervision and guidance of the supervising public adjuster.
Disposition: Fined $2,500 and
probation for 12 months.
Case:
An investigation of a public adjuster alleged that he
adjusted a claim prior to being appointed.
Disposition: Fined $2,000 and
probation for 12 months.