(1) The department may issue a license as an insurance agency to any person only after such person files a written application with the department and qualifies for such license.
(2) An application for an insurance agency license must be signed by an individual required to be listed in the application under paragraph (a). An insurance agency may permit a third party to complete, submit, and sign an application on the insurance agency’s behalf; however, the insurance agency is responsible for ensuring that the information on the application is true and correct and is accountable for any misstatements or misrepresentations. The application for an insurance agency license must include:
(a) The name of each owner, partner, officer, director, president, senior vice president, secretary, treasurer, and limited liability company member who directs or participates in the management or control of the insurance agency, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract, by ownership of any agency bank account, or otherwise.
(b) The residence address of each person required to be listed in the application under paragraph (a).
(c) The name, principal business street address, and valid e-mail address of the insurance agency and the name, address, and e-mail address of the agency’s registered agent or person or company authorized to accept service on behalf of the agency.
(d) The physical address of each branch agency, including its name, e-mail address, and telephone number, and the date that the branch location began transacting insurance.
(e) The name of the agent in full-time charge of the agency office, including branch locations, and his or her corresponding location.
(f) The fingerprints of each of the following:
1. A sole proprietor;
2. Each individual required to be listed in the application under paragraph (a); and
3. Each individual who directs or participates in the management or control of an incorporated agency whose shares are not traded on a securities exchange.
Fingerprints must be taken by a law enforcement agency or other entity approved by the department and must be accompanied by the fingerprint processing fee specified in s. 624.501. Fingerprints must be processed in accordance with s. 624.34. However, fingerprints need not be filed for an individual who is currently licensed and appointed under this chapter. This paragraph does not apply to corporations whose voting shares are traded on a securities exchange.
(g) Such additional information as the department requires by rule to ascertain the trustworthiness and competence of persons required to be listed on the application and to ascertain that such persons meet the requirements of this code. However, the department may not require that credit or character reports be submitted for persons required to be listed on the application.
(3) The department must accept the uniform application for nonresident agency licensure. The department may adopt by rule revised versions of the uniform application.
(4) The department must issue a license to each agency upon approval of the application, and each agency location must display the license prominently in a manner that makes it clearly visible to any customer or potential customer who enters the agency location.
History.—ss. 161, 807, ch. 82-243; ss. 206, 207, ch. 90-363; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 213, ch. 97-102; s. 9, ch. 2005-257; s. 9, ch. 2014-123.