Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Department of Financial Services

Agent and Agency Services

For assistance, call 850-413-3137 or 850-413-3136 or visit https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/agents

What is the purpose of the division?

The Department of Financial Services' Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services protects the public by licensing individuals and entities and investigating alleged violations of the Florida Insurance Code.

What services are provided by the division?

The Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services performs its primary functions through two bureaus.
  • Bureau of Licensing licenses and appoints individuals and entities authorized to transact insurance in Florida. The bureau receives and reviews applications for insurance licenses and oversees the examination, licensing, and continuing education of licensees. 
  • Bureau of Investigation investigates alleged violations of the Florida Insurance Code. Following an investigation, the bureau prepares a report in which formal legal action against entities might be recommended. Suspected criminal violations of the Florida Insurance Code are referred to the department's Division of Investigative and Forensic Services' Bureau of Insurance Fraud or other law enforcement agencies as appropriate.

What types of licenses are offered?

The Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services offers several types of licenses for resident and nonresident agents, adjusters, and agencies.
  • Agencies/Businesses may apply for licenses in areas such as insurance, title, and warranty.
  • Agents may apply for a license in lines of insurance such as property and casualty, health and life (including annuities and variable contracts), title, warranty (home warranty sales, motor vehicle service agreements, and service warranty sales), and bail bonds.
  • Adjusters may apply for a license as a public adjuster, an emergency adjuster, or as a company/independent adjuster.
Individuals may obtain licensing forms from the division's website and apply for a license online.

How efficient is the division in performing its functions?

In Fiscal Year 2021-22, the division's licensing operations cost $2.50 per active license, while its average direct cost of investigation operations was approximately $1,150 per completed investigation.

How do I find out whether an individual is licensed in Florida?

  • The Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services maintains a searchable database of individuals licensed to conduct insurance business in the state. This site also offers information on recent enforcement actions taken by the department against licensees, registrants, and other entities. 
  • The Department of Financial Services maintains a website that offers downloads of information that includes all valid business licenses, all valid individual licenses, all active individual appointments, and all active business appointments.

How are these activities funded?

The Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services generates revenue from fees collected in conjunction with its licensure and appointment functions.
Fiscal Year: 2023-24
Fund Salary Rate/ Position General Revenue Trust Funds
SALARY RATE
POSITIONS
SALARIES AND BENEFITS
FROM INSURANCE REGULATORY TRUST FUND
OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES
FROM INSURANCE REGULATORY TRUST FUND
EXPENSES
FROM INSURANCE REGULATORY TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
ELECTRONIC COMMERCE FEES FOR COLLECTION OF REVENUE
FROM INSURANCE REGULATORY TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
CONTRACTED SERVICES
FROM INSURANCE REGULATORY TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
OPERATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES
FROM INSURANCE REGULATORY TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
RISK MANAGEMENT INSURANCE
FROM INSURANCE REGULATORY TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE - STATE OPERATIONS
FROM INSURANCE REGULATORY TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
LEASE OR LEASE-PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT
FROM INSURANCE REGULATORY TRUST FUND
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
TRANSFER TO DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES - HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES PURCHASED PER STATEWIDE CONTRACT
FROM INSURANCE REGULATORY TRUST FUND
TOTAL
0
11,248,367

Updates

Law Changes for Adjusters. The 2023 Legislature enacted Ch. 2023-130Laws of Florida. Among it's provisions, the new law

  • enables DFS to disapprove the use of adjusting firm names on the same grounds as it can disapprove of insurance agency names;
  • alters the requirements for contracts between public adjusters and insureds or claimants;
  • requires public adjusters keep certain records for at least five years;
  • clarifies that certain actions constitute the practice of public adjusting, regardless of how a public adjuster describes or presents their services; and
  • establishes that after July 1, 2023, when entering a contract for adjusting services, a public adjuster
    • may not collect a fee for services on payments made to a named insured unless they have a contract with the insured person, or their legal representative;
    • may not collect a fee for services to be provided by a third part on behalf of the named insure, unless there is a written agreement;
    • must pay the third party's fees if insured's written consent is not obtained prior to contracting for services; and
    • must be paid by the third party, if representing anyone other than the named insured in a claim. 

Expansion of the Department's Investigative and Enforcement Authority. The 2023 Legislature enacted Ch. 2023-144, Laws of Florida, which expands the abilities of the department to investigate suspected violations of the law and enforce penalties, including

  • the ability to initiate, and not just conduct, investigations;
  • referring suspected criminal violations of federal law in addition to state law for prosecution;
  • penalties against licensees for violations of rules including those regarding trade names of insurance agencies and adjusting firms, those regarding refusal, suspension, or revocation of licensure of insurance agencies and adjusting firms, those regarding contract provisions, and those regarding designation of primary adjusters at each business location; and
  • adding grounds for compulsory disciplinary action against a title insurance agent or agency to include misappropriation conversion, or improper withholding of funds held as part of an escrow agreement, real estate sales contract, or as provided on a settlement statement in a real estate transaction.

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

What are the applicable statutes?

Chapters 624, 626, 627, 632, 634, 635, 636, 641, 642, and 648, Florida Statutes

Whom do I contact for help?