In The Know - April 2024
Legislative Summary 2024 — Consumer Protection, HB 989
Effective May 2, 2024
Note: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
LICENSING
626.171(2)(f), F.S. — Application for license as an agent, customer representative, adjuster, service representative, or reinsurance intermediary.—
The department shall make provisions for applicants to submit cellular telephone numbers as part of the application process on a voluntary basis only for the purpose of two-factor authentication of secure login credentials only.
626.221(2)(j), F.S. — Examination requirement; exemptions.—
Added: ...However, an examination is not necessary for any of the following: registered Claims Adjuster (RCA) from American Insurance College.
626.601(6), F.S. — allows the department to review the details of the investigation with the individual or entity being investigated or their representative.
626.7351(3), F.S. Qualifications for customer representative's license.—
Added: the designation of Chartered Customer Service Representative (CCSR) from American Insurance College;
ADJUSTERS
626.878(2)(3) Rules; code of ethics.—
(2) A person licensed as an adjuster must identify himself or herself in any advertisement, solicitation, or written document based on the adjuster appointment type held.
(3) An adjuster who has had his or her licensed revoked or suspended may not participate in any part of an insurance claim or in the insurance claims adjusting process, including estimating, completing, filing, negotiating, appraising, mediating, umpiring, or effecting settlement of a claim for loss or damage covered under an insurance contract. A person who suspended acts as an unlicensed adjuster.
HOME WARRANTY SALES REPRESENTATIVE
634.317, F.S. — License and appointment required.—
No person may solicit, negotiate, or effectuate home warranty contracts for remuneration in this state unless such person is licensed and appointed as a sales representative. A licensed and appointed sales representative shall be directly responsible and accountable for all acts of the licensee's employees. A municipality, a county government, a special district, an entity operated by a municipality or county government, or an employee or agent of a municipality, county government, special district, or entity operated by a municipality or county government is exempt from the licensing and appointing requirements under this section. (underlined text only change)
BAIL BOND AGENTS AND AGENCIES
648.25 Definitions.— As used in this chapter, the term: —
(9) "Referring bail bond agent" is the limited surety agent who is requesting the transfer bond. The referring bail bond agent is the agent held liable for the transfer bond, along with the issuing surety company.
(11) "Transfer bond" means the appearance bond and power of attorney form posted by a limited surety agent who is registered in the county where the defendant is being held in custody.
REGISTER FOR THE 2024 FIFEC CONFERENCE
Education, Networking, Recognition, Delicious Food, CIFI, Golfing and Fun!
That’s what awaits you when you register for the 32nd Annual FIFEC Conference scheduled for June 26-28, 2024, at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, 6677 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, Florida.
2024 FIFEC conference courses afford:
- Florida 6-20 licensed adjusters up to 16 Florida CE credits by completing the eight (8) classes they selected from a wide range of important, timely and relevant insurance topics.
- Most of the classes are also accredited to satisfy CE requirements for Florida 220 licensed agents!
- Florida licensed attorneys may also earn up to 16 CLEs, including up to 8 Ethics and 14 Technology CLEs.
Note: the total number of hours an attendee will earn will depend how many of the sessions they attend.
FIFEC registration is extremely affordable and a great value. The beautiful Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld is offering a special FIFEC rate starting at $179/night including complimentary self-parking and the option to waive the resort fee. This special rate and benefits are only available when reserving via the link listed below.
Know an insurance investigator, law enforcement officer or an attorney doing outstanding work? Recognize and honor that person by nominating the individual for one of 4 FIFEC Awards to be presented at the opening ceremony. Click this link to submit your nomination https://www.fifec.org/awards-2024.
2024 marks our first golf tournament on Tuesday, June 25th at 8:30 a.m. at the beautiful Hawks Landing Golf Course adjacent to the World Center Marriott in Orlando. Register for the tournament and have some fun on the links before FIFEC starts the next day!
Click https://www.fifec.org/conference-information to:
- Review this year’s class offerings,
- Register for the conference,
- Reserve your hotel room,
- Volunteer to assist at FIFEC,
- Nominate a worthy candidate for a FIFEC Award
- Register to take the CIFI Exam (a prep course is offered on Wednesday, June 26 at 3:30 before the exam)
Don’t delay your registration and take advantage of the discounted rate currently available to attend and connect with your colleagues. Need additional information, visit www.fifec.org or write to us at info@fifec.org. We look forward to welcoming you to the 2024 FIFEC Conference this June.
The Florida Insurance Fraud Education Committee (FIFEC) was founded as a not-for-profit, joint venture between Florida’s Division of Investigative and Forensic Services and volunteers from the special investigation units of insurance companies serving Florida. FIFEC is staffed entirely by volunteers with a mission to provide education on identifying, investigating and prosecuting insurance fraud cases.
REMINDER: MyProfile Accounts — Special Requirements For Creating Or Changing Usernames And Passwords
The Bureau of Licensing has enhanced the requirements for creating or changing usernames and passwords. This action has been taken to protect our licensees' accounts from fraudulent access.
The new requirements are:
- The username must be 8-14 characters long.
- The password must be 8-14 characters long and must contain the following:
at least one upper case letter
at least one lower case letter
at least one number
can have any one of the following characters: ! @ $ ?
May not be user’s first or last name (in any combination)
May not be the following words or phrases: Password or P@ssw0rd (in any case combination)
Passwords will expire after 90 days and must be changed. Each time an address, username, or password is changed, an email notification will be sent to the email address on file with the subject: DFS DICE MyProfile Data Change (example below)
Dear Account Holder,
The purpose of this email is to notify you that there have been changes to your DFS DICE MyProfile account.
The following information has been changed on 08/04/2023 at 13:58:23.
- Login Information.
This email is coming from an unmonitored account. Please do not reply. If you did not authorize the changes listed above or have questions regarding the changes, please contact the DFS Insurance Agent and Agency Services helpdesk at AgentLicensing@myfloridacfo.com.
If you have not made a change, please access your account to determine whether unauthorized changes have been made. If unauthorized access is made and you no longer have access to your MyProfile account, report the activity to AgentLicensing@myfloridacfo.com. Florida Statutes s. 626.551 requires all licensees to update any demographic changes through their MyProfile account.