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
general lines agent alleged that she misappropriated premiums from
five Florida law firms intended for premium payments on professional
liability insurance policies and fraudulently financed the premiums
while retaining the law firms' payments for her own use.
Disposition: License revoked. The
Division of Insurance Fraud arrested her and she has pending felony
charges.
Case: A Notice of Intent to
Issue a Cease and Desist Order was filed against an individual who allegedly
transacted insurance without a license when he collected $238
from a consumer for a health insurance policy he never procured.
Disposition: Cease and
Desist Order enetered. The Division of Insurance Fraud arrested him and
he was convicted of felony Scheme to Defraud.
Case: An investigation of a
general lines agent alleged that he misappropriated
fiduciary funds, submitted a premium finance contract
without the insured's knowledge, consent or true
signature, failed to forward premiums to insurers,
failed to return unearned commissions, and failed to
provide a change of address to the Department.
Disposition: License revoked.
Case: An investigation of a
general lines agent alleged that she aided and abetted unlicensed
individuals in the sale of automobile insurance and offered unlawful
inducements for the sale of automobile insurance.
Disposition: License suspended for 2
years.
Case:
An investigation of an insurance agency alleged that a
representative of the agency submitted wind mitigation forms to
an underwriter that contained misrepresentations and false
signatures, collected an amount above the applicable premiums
for insurance, failed to refund premiums due to the insured, and
failed to appoint customer representatives in a timely manner.
Disposition: License suspended for 12
months.
Case:
An investigation of a general lines agent alleged that he
knowingly operated an insurance agency that was not licensed.
Disposition: License surrendered for
2 years.
Case: An investigation
of an insurance agency alleged that the owner of the
agency failed to have a full-time agent in
charge of the agency.
Disposition: License surrendered for
2 years.
Case: An investigation of a title
insurance agent alleged that she submitted title insurance applications
with no surety bond in place, charged separate line items that are part
of the closing fee, failed to maintain proper records, and failed to
provide a change of business address to the Department.
Disposition: License surrendered for
2 years.
Case: An administrative complaint
filed against a bail bond agent alleged that she solicited bail bond
business on the grounds of a jail by distributing or providing a
business card and/or other written information to a defendant
without a request initiated by the defendant or a potential
indemnitor on his or her behalf.
Disposition: License suspended for
four months and must complete at least three hours of additional
continuing education courses in the area of ethics.
Case: An investigation of a
general lines agent alleged that he allowed others to sign his name
on insurance applications and endorsements and failed to properly
supervise an agency and customer representatives under his control.
Disposition: Fined $2,500 and placed
on probation for one year.
Case: An
investigation of a life and health agent alleged
that he knowingly placed advertisements before the
public containing misleading information and failed to obtain insurer approval on
advertisements.
Disposition: Fined $1,500.
Case: An applicant for
licensure as a life and health agent failed to disclose prior
administrative history on his application. The applicant's
previous license was revoked for failing to disclose a pending
misdemeanor charge on his prior application for licensure. The
charge did not result in a conviction.
Disposition: Fined $1,500 and license
granted.