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The
Division of Agent and Agency Services is
comprised of the Division Director’s Office,
the Bureau of Licensing and the Bureau of
Investigation. Activities of the division
are authorized in Chapters 624, 626, 632,
634, 635, 642 and 648, Florida Statutes, and
Chapters 69B-211 through 69B-231, Florida
Administrative Code.
The Bureau of Licensing administers the
insurance laws, rules and regulations
relating to license qualification,
pre-licensing and continuing education. The
Bureau of Licensing is responsible for the
licensure and appointment of all agents,
customer representatives, adjusters,
reinsurance intermediaries, service
representative, insurance agencies, certain
field insurance representatives and
insurance-related entities and firms
authorized to transact insurance in Florida.
The bureau has 75 positions comprised of
service consultants, support personnel and
managers located in Tallahassee. The bureau
receives and answers in excess of 440,000
customer telephone calls annually. Through
execution of its programs, the bureau
ensures that licensed insurance
representatives are qualified and competent
to engage in the business of insurance.
The Bureau of Investigation is statutorily
responsible for the investigation of alleged
violations of the Florida Insurance Code by
licensed and unlicensed persons. The bureau
has 94 positions comprised of investigators,
support personnel and managers located in
Tallahassee and nine (9) regional field
offices strategically located throughout the
state. Complaints are received primarily
from consumers, insurance companies,
licensees and regulatory agencies. Following
an investigation, the bureau prepares a
report in which formal legal action may be
recommended. In fiscal year 2005-2006 the
bureau completed 2,392 investigations.
Suspected criminal violations uncovered
during the course of investigation are
referred to the Department of Financial
Services’ Division of Insurance Fraud or
other law enforcement agencies as
appropriate. The bureau’s investigative
files are considered confidential and remain
exempt from Florida’s Public Records Law
unless the department files a formal
Administrative Complaint, Emergency Order,
or other lawful order against the licensee.
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