1 | Representative Robaina offered the following: |
2 |
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3 | Substitute Amendment for Amendment (262647) to Senate Bill |
4 | (with title amendment) |
5 | Between lines 20and 21 insert: |
6 |
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7 | Section 1. Effective January 1, 2009, subsection (5) of |
8 | section 624.501, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
9 | 624.501 Filing, license, appointment, and miscellaneous |
10 | fees.--The department, commission, or office, as appropriate, |
11 | shall collect in advance, and persons so served shall pay to it |
12 | in advance, fees, licenses, and miscellaneous charges as |
13 | follows: |
14 | (5) All insurance representatives, application for |
15 | license, application for reinstatement of suspended license, |
16 | each filing, filing fee....$50.00 |
17 | Section 2. Effective January 1, 2009, subsection (1) of |
18 | section 626.015, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
19 | 626.015 Definitions.--As used in this part: |
20 | (1) "Adjuster" means a public adjuster as defined in s. |
21 | 626.854, public adjuster apprentice as defined in s. 626.8541, |
22 | independent adjuster as defined in s. 626.855, or company |
23 | employee adjuster as defined in s. 626.856. |
24 | Section 3. Effective January 1, 2009, paragraphs (c), (e), |
25 | and (f) of subsection (2) of section 626.221, Florida Statutes, |
26 | are amended to read: |
27 | 626.221 Examination requirement; exemptions.-- |
28 | (2) However, no such examination shall be necessary in any |
29 | of the following cases: |
30 | (c) In the discretion of the department, an applicant for |
31 | reinstatement of license or appointment as an agent, customer |
32 | representative, company employee adjuster, or independent |
33 | adjuster whose license has been suspended within 4 years prior |
34 | to the date of application or written request for reinstatement. |
35 | (e) A person who has been licensed and appointed as an a |
36 | public adjuster, independent adjuster, or company employee |
37 | adjuster as to all property, casualty, and surety insurances, |
38 | may be licensed and appointed as a company employee adjuster or, |
39 | independent, or public adjuster, as to these kinds of insurance, |
40 | without additional written examination if an application for |
41 | licensure is filed with the department within 48 months |
42 | following the date of cancellation or expiration of the prior |
43 | appointment. |
44 | (f) A person who has been licensed as a company employee |
45 | adjuster or independent an adjuster for motor vehicle, property |
46 | and casualty, workers' compensation, and health insurance may be |
47 | licensed as such an adjuster without additional written |
48 | examination if his or her application for licensure is filed |
49 | with the department within 48 months after cancellation or |
50 | expiration of the prior license. |
51 | Section 4. Effective January 1, 2009, subsection (6) of |
52 | section 626.241, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
53 | 626.241 Scope of examination.-- |
54 | (6) In order to reflect the differences between adjusting |
55 | claims for an insurer and adjusting claims for an insured, the |
56 | department shall create an examination for applicants seeking |
57 | licensure as a public adjuster and a separate examination for |
58 | applicants seeking licensure as a company employee adjuster or |
59 | independent adjuster. Examinations given applicants for license |
60 | as an all-lines adjuster shall cover adjusting in all lines of |
61 | insurance, other than life and annuity; or, in accordance with |
62 | the application for the license, the examination may be limited |
63 | to adjusting in: |
64 | (a) Automobile physical damage insurance; |
65 | (b) Property and casualty insurance; |
66 | (c) Workers' compensation insurance; or |
67 | (d) Health insurance. |
68 |
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69 | No examination on worker's compensation insurance or health |
70 | insurance shall be required for public adjusters. |
71 | Section 5. Effective January 1, 2009, subsection (1) of |
72 | section 626.641, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
73 | 626.641 Duration of suspension or revocation.-- |
74 | (1) The department shall, in its order suspending a |
75 | license or appointment or in its order suspending the |
76 | eligibility of a person to hold or apply for such license or |
77 | appointment, specify the period during which the suspension is |
78 | to be in effect; but such period shall not exceed 2 years. The |
79 | license, appointment, or eligibility shall remain suspended |
80 | during the period so specified, subject, however, to any |
81 | rescission or modification of the order by the department, or |
82 | modification or reversal thereof by the court, prior to |
83 | expiration of the suspension period. A license, appointment, or |
84 | eligibility that which has been suspended shall not be |
85 | reinstated except upon the filing and approval of an application |
86 | for request for such reinstatement and, in the case of a second |
87 | suspension, completion of continuing education courses |
88 | prescribed and approved by the department; but the department |
89 | shall not approve an application for grant such reinstatement if |
90 | it finds that the circumstance or circumstances for which the |
91 | license, appointment, or eligibility was suspended still exist |
92 | or are likely to recur. In addition, an application a request |
93 | for reinstatement is subject to denial and subject to a waiting |
94 | period prior to approval on the same grounds that apply to |
95 | applications for licensure pursuant to ss. 626.207, 626.611, and |
96 | 626.621, and 626.8698. |
97 | Section 6. Effective October 1, 2008, subsections (5) |
98 | through (12) are added to section 626.854, Florida Statutes, to |
99 | read: |
100 | 626.854 "Public adjuster" defined; prohibitions.--The |
101 | Legislature finds that it is necessary for the protection of the |
102 | public to regulate public insurance adjusters and to prevent the |
103 | unauthorized practice of law. |
104 | (5) A public adjuster may not directly or indirectly |
105 | through any other person or entity solicit an insured or |
106 | claimant by any means except on Monday through Saturday of each |
107 | week and only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on those |
108 | days. |
109 | (6) A public adjuster may not directly or indirectly |
110 | through any other person or entity initiate contact or engage in |
111 | face-to-face or telephonic solicitation or enter into a contract |
112 | with any insured or claimant under an insurance policy until at |
113 | least 48 hours after the occurrence of an event that may be the |
114 | subject of a claim under the insurance policy unless contact is |
115 | initiated by the insured or claimant. |
116 | (7) An insured or claimant may cancel a public adjuster's |
117 | contract to adjust a claim without penalty or obligation within |
118 | 3 business days after the date on which the contract is executed |
119 | or within 3 business days after the date on which the insured or |
120 | claimant has notified the insurer of the claim, by phone or in |
121 | writing, whichever is later. The public adjuster's contract |
122 | shall disclose to the insured or claimant his or her right to |
123 | cancel the contract and advise the insured or claimant that |
124 | notice of cancellation must be submitted in writing and sent by |
125 | certified mail, return receipt requested, or other form of |
126 | mailing which provides proof thereof, to the public adjuster at |
127 | the address specified in the contract; provided, during any |
128 | state of emergency as declared by the Governor and for a period |
129 | of 1 year after the date of loss, the insured or claimant shall |
130 | have 5 business days after the date on which the contract is |
131 | executed to cancel a public adjuster's contract. |
132 | (8) It is an unfair and deceptive insurance trade practice |
133 | pursuant to s. 626.9541 for a public adjuster or any other |
134 | person to circulate or disseminate any advertisement, |
135 | announcement, or statement containing any assertion, |
136 | representation, or statement with respect to the business of |
137 | insurance which is untrue, deceptive, or misleading. |
138 | (9) A public adjuster, a public adjuster apprentice, or |
139 | any person or entity acting on behalf of a public adjuster or |
140 | public adjuster apprentice may not give or offer to give a |
141 | monetary loan or advance to a client or prospective client. |
142 | (10) A public adjuster, public adjuster apprentice, or any |
143 | individual or entity acting on behalf of a public adjuster or |
144 | public adjuster apprentice may not give or offer to give, |
145 | directly or indirectly, any article of merchandise having a |
146 | value in excess of $25 to any individual for the purpose of |
147 | advertising or as an inducement to entering into a contract with |
148 | a public adjuster. |
149 | (11)(a) If a public adjuster enters into a contract with |
150 | an insured or claimant to reopen a claim or to file a |
151 | supplemental claim that seeks additional payments for a claim |
152 | that has been previously paid in part or in full or settled by |
153 | the insurer, the public adjuster may not charge, agree to, or |
154 | accept any compensation, payment, commission, fee, or other |
155 | thing of value based on a previous settlement or previous claim |
156 | payments by the insurer for the same cause of loss. The charge, |
157 | compensation, payment, commission, fee, or other thing of value |
158 | may be based only on the claim payments or settlement obtained |
159 | through the work of the public adjuster after entering into the |
160 | contract with the insured or claimant. The contracts described |
161 | in this paragraph are not subject to the limitations in |
162 | paragraph (b). |
163 | (b) A public adjuster may not charge, agree to, or accept |
164 | any compensation, payment, commission, fee, or other thing of |
165 | value in excess of: |
166 | 1. Ten percent of the amount of insurance claim payments |
167 | by the insurer for claims based on events that are the subject |
168 | of a declaration of a state of emergency by the Governor. This |
169 | provision applies to claims made during the period of 1 year |
170 | after the declaration of emergency. |
171 | 2. Twenty percent of the amount of all other insurance |
172 | claim payments. |
173 | (12) Each public adjuster shall provide to the claimant or |
174 | insured a written estimate of the loss to assist in the |
175 | submission of a proof of loss or any other claim for payment of |
176 | insurance proceeds. The public adjuster shall retain such |
177 | written estimate for at least 5 years and shall make such |
178 | estimate available to the claimant or insured and the department |
179 | upon request. |
180 | |
181 | The provisions of subsections (5)-(12) apply only to residential |
182 | property insurance policies and condominium association policies |
183 | as defined in s. 718.111(11). |
184 | Section 7. Effective January 1, 2009, section 626.8541, |
185 | Florida Statutes, is created to read: |
186 | 626.8541 Public adjuster apprentice.-- |
187 | (1) A "public adjuster apprentice" is any person who is |
188 | not a licensed public adjuster, who is employed by or has a |
189 | contract with a licensed and appointed public adjuster in good |
190 | standing with the department or a public adjusting firm that |
191 | employs at least one licensed and appointed public adjuster in |
192 | good standing with the department to assist a public adjuster in |
193 | conducting business under the license, and who satisfies the |
194 | requirements of s. 626.8651. |
195 | (2) A public adjuster apprentice must work with a licensed |
196 | and appointed public adjuster for a period of 12 months as set |
197 | forth in this section, and who otherwise is in full compliance |
198 | with this chapter, prior to being eligible for appointment as a |
199 | licensed public adjuster. |
200 | Section 8. Effective January 1, 2009, paragraph (e) of |
201 | subsection (1) of section 626.865, Florida Statutes, is amended, |
202 | and subsection (3) is added to that section, to read: |
203 | 626.865 Public adjuster's qualifications, bond.-- |
204 | (1) The department shall issue a license to an applicant |
205 | for a public adjuster's license upon determining that the |
206 | applicant has paid the applicable fees specified in s. 624.501 |
207 | and possesses the following qualifications: |
208 | (e) Has passed the any required written examination. |
209 | (3) The department may not issue a license as a public |
210 | adjuster to any individual who has not passed the examination |
211 | for a public adjuster's license. Any individual who is applying |
212 | for reinstatement of a license after completion of a period of |
213 | suspension and any individual who is applying for a new license |
214 | after termination, cancellation, revocation, or expiration of a |
215 | prior license as a public adjuster must pass the examination |
216 | required for licensure as a public adjuster after approval of |
217 | the application for reinstatement or for a new license |
218 | regardless of whether the applicant passed an examination prior |
219 | to issuance of the license that was suspended, terminated, |
220 | canceled, revoked, or expired. |
221 | Section 9. Effective January 1, 2009, section 626.8651, |
222 | Florida Statutes, is created to read: |
223 | 626.8651 Public adjuster apprentice license; |
224 | qualifications.-- |
225 | (1) The department shall issue a license as a public |
226 | adjuster apprentice to an applicant who is: |
227 | (a) A natural person at least 18 years of age. |
228 | (b) A United States citizen or legal alien who possesses |
229 | work authorization from the United States Bureau of Citizenship |
230 | and Immigration Services and is a resident of this state. |
231 | (c) Trustworthy and has such business reputation as would |
232 | reasonably ensure that the applicant will conduct business as a |
233 | public adjuster apprentice fairly and in good faith and without |
234 | detriment to the public. |
235 | (2) All applicable license fees, as prescribed in s. |
236 | 624.501, must be paid in full before issuance of the license. |
237 | (3) At the time of application for license as a public |
238 | adjuster apprentice, the applicant shall file with the |
239 | department a bond executed and issued by a surety insurer |
240 | authorized to transact such business in this state in the amount |
241 | of $50,000, conditioned upon the faithful performance of his or |
242 | her duties as a public adjuster apprentice under the license for |
243 | which the applicant has applied, and thereafter maintain the |
244 | bond unimpaired throughout the existence of the license and for |
245 | at least 1 year after termination of the license. The bond shall |
246 | be in favor of the department and shall specifically authorize |
247 | recovery by the department of the damages sustained in case the |
248 | licensee commits fraud or unfair practices in connection with |
249 | his or her business as a public adjuster apprentice. The |
250 | aggregate liability of the surety for all such damages may not |
251 | exceed the amount of the bond, and the bond may not be |
252 | terminated by the issuing insurer unless written notice of at |
253 | least 30 days is given to the licensee and filed with the |
254 | department. |
255 | (4) A public adjuster apprentice shall complete at a |
256 | minimum 100 hours of employment per month for 12 months of |
257 | employment under the supervision of a licensed and appointed |
258 | all-lines public adjuster in order to qualify for licensure as a |
259 | public adjuster. The department may adopt rules that establish |
260 | standards for such employment requirements. |
261 | (5) A supervising public adjuster shall be responsible and |
262 | accountable for the acts of a public adjuster apprentice which |
263 | are related to transacting business as a public adjuster |
264 | apprentice. |
265 | (6) An apprentice license is effective for 18 months |
266 | unless the license expires due to lack of maintaining an |
267 | appointment; is surrendered by the licensee; is terminated, |
268 | suspended, or revoked by the department; or is canceled by the |
269 | department upon issuance of a public adjuster license. The |
270 | department may not issue a public adjuster apprentice license to |
271 | any individual who has held such a license in this state within |
272 | 2 years after expiration, surrender, termination, revocation, or |
273 | cancellation of the license. |
274 | (7) After completing the requirements for employment as a |
275 | public adjuster apprentice, the licensee may file an application |
276 | for a public adjuster license. The applicant and supervising |
277 | public adjuster or public adjusting firm must each file a sworn |
278 | affidavit, on a form prescribed by the department, verifying |
279 | that the employment of the public adjuster apprentice meets the |
280 | requirements of this section. |
281 | (8) In no event shall a public adjuster apprentice |
282 | licensed under this section perform any of the functions for |
283 | which a public adjuster's license is required after expiration |
284 | of the public adjuster apprentice license without having |
285 | obtained a public adjuster license. |
286 | (9) A public adjuster apprentice has the same authority as |
287 | the licensed public adjuster or public adjusting firm that |
288 | employs the apprentice except that an apprentice may not execute |
289 | contracts for the services of a public adjuster or public |
290 | adjusting firm and may not solicit contracts for the services |
291 | except under the direct supervision and guidance of the |
292 | supervisory public adjuster. An individual may not be, act as, |
293 | or hold himself or herself out to be a public adjuster |
294 | apprentice unless the individual is licensed and holds a current |
295 | appointment by a licensed public all-lines adjuster or a public |
296 | adjusting firm that employs a licensed all-lines public |
297 | adjuster. |
298 | Section 10. Effective October 1, 2008, subsections (1) and |
299 | (4) of section 626.869, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
300 | 626.869 License, adjusters; continuing education.-- |
301 | (1) An applicant for a license as an adjuster may qualify |
302 | and his or her license when issued may cover adjusting in any |
303 | one of the following classes of insurance: |
304 | (a) All lines of insurance except life and annuities. |
305 | (b) Motor vehicle physical damage insurance. |
306 | (c) Property and casualty insurance. |
307 | (d) Workers' compensation insurance. |
308 | (e) Health insurance. |
309 |
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310 | No examination on worker's compensation insurance or health |
311 | insurance shall be required for public adjusters. |
312 | (4)(a) Any individual holding a license as a company |
313 | employee adjuster or independent adjuster for 24 consecutive |
314 | months or longer must, beginning in his or her birth month and |
315 | every 2 years thereafter, have completed 24 hours of courses, 2 |
316 | hours of which relate to ethics, in subjects designed to inform |
317 | the licensee regarding the current insurance laws of this state, |
318 | so as to enable him or her to engage in business as an insurance |
319 | adjuster fairly and without injury to the public and to adjust |
320 | all claims in accordance with the policy or contract and the |
321 | laws of this state. |
322 | (b) Any individual holding a license as a public adjuster |
323 | for 24 consecutive months or longer, beginning in their birth |
324 | month and every 2 years thereafter, must have completed 24 hours |
325 | of courses, 2 hours of which relate to ethics, in subjects |
326 | designed to inform the licensee regarding the current laws of |
327 | this state pertaining to all lines of insurance other than life |
328 | and annuities, the current laws of this state pertaining to the |
329 | duties and responsibilities of public adjusters as set forth in |
330 | this part, and the current rules of the department applicable to |
331 | public adjusters and standard or representative policy forms |
332 | used by insurers, other than forms for life insurance and |
333 | annuities, so as to enable him or her to engage in business as |
334 | an adjuster fairly and without injury to the public and to |
335 | adjust all claims in accordance with the policy or contract and |
336 | laws of this state. In order to receive credit for continuing |
337 | education courses, public adjusters must take courses that are |
338 | specifically designed for public adjusters and approved by the |
339 | department, provided, however, no continuing education course |
340 | shall be required for public adjusters for worker's compensation |
341 | insurance or health insurance. |
342 | (c) The department shall adopt rules necessary to |
343 | implement and administer the continuing education requirements |
344 | of this subsection. For good cause shown, the department may |
345 | grant an extension of time during which the requirements imposed |
346 | by this section may be completed, but such extension of time may |
347 | not exceed 1 year. |
348 | (d) A nonresident public adjuster must complete the |
349 | continuing education requirements provided by this section; |
350 | provided, a nonresident public adjuster may meet the |
351 | requirements of this section if the continuing education |
352 | requirements of the nonresident public adjuster's home state are |
353 | determined to be substantially comparable to the requirements of |
354 | this state's continuing education requirements and if the |
355 | resident's state recognizes reciprocity with this state's |
356 | continuing education requirements. A nonresident public adjuster |
357 | whose home state does not have such continuing education |
358 | requirements for adjusters, and who is not licensed as a |
359 | nonresident adjuster in a state that has continuing education |
360 | requirements and reciprocates with this state, must meet the |
361 | continuing education requirements of this section. |
362 | Section 11. Effective October 1, 2008, section 626.8698, |
363 | Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
364 | 626.8698 Disciplinary guidelines for public adjusters and |
365 | public adjuster apprentices.--The department may deny, suspend, |
366 | or revoke the license of a public adjuster or public adjuster |
367 | apprentice, and administer a fine not to exceed $5,000 per act, |
368 | for any of the following: |
369 | (1) Violating any provision of this chapter or a rule or |
370 | order of the department; |
371 | (2) Receiving payment or anything of value as a result of |
372 | an unfair or deceptive practice; |
373 | (3) Receiving or accepting any fee, kickback, or other |
374 | thing of value pursuant to any agreement or understanding, oral |
375 | or otherwise; entering into a split-fee arrangement with another |
376 | person who is not a public adjuster; or being otherwise paid or |
377 | accepting payment for services that have not been performed; |
378 | (4) Violating s. 316.066 or s. 817.234; |
379 | (5) Soliciting or otherwise taking advantage of a person |
380 | who is vulnerable, emotional, or otherwise upset as the result |
381 | of a trauma, accident, or other similar occurrence; or |
382 | (6) Violating any ethical rule of the department. |
383 | Section 12. Effective January 1, 2009, subsection (4) is |
384 | added to section 626.870, Florida Statutes, to read: |
385 | 626.870 Application for license.-- |
386 | (4) A license, an appointment, or eligibility that has |
387 | been suspended may not be reinstated except upon the filing and |
388 | approval of an application for reinstatement in accordance with |
389 | s. 626.641. In addition, for reinstatement of a public |
390 | adjuster's license, appointment, or eligibility, the individual |
391 | must pass the public adjuster licensing examination. An |
392 | application for reinstatement must be accompanied by any |
393 | applicable examination fee. Successful completion of the |
394 | examination does not entitle the applicant to have a license |
395 | reinstated. The application is subject to denial pursuant to ss. |
396 | 626.207, 626.611, 626.621, and 626.8698. If the department |
397 | approves an application for reinstatement, the applicant shall |
398 | be notified that the license will be reinstated upon payment by |
399 | the applicant of the reinstatement fee contained in s. |
400 | 624.501(15). |
401 | Section 13. Effective January 1, 2009, paragraphs (b) and |
402 | (e) of subsection (1) and paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection |
403 | (2) of section 626.8732, Florida Statutes, are amended, and |
404 | subsection (6) is added to that section, to read: |
405 | 626.8732 Nonresident public adjuster's qualifications, |
406 | bond.-- |
407 | (1) The department shall, upon application therefor, issue |
408 | a license to an applicant for a nonresident public adjuster's |
409 | license upon determining that the applicant has paid the |
410 | applicable license fees required under s. 624.501 and: |
411 | (b) Has passed to the satisfaction of the department a |
412 | written Florida public adjuster's examination of the scope |
413 | prescribed in s. 626.241(6); however, the requirement for such |
414 | an examination does not apply to any of the following: |
415 | 1. An applicant who is licensed as a resident public |
416 | adjuster in his or her state of residence, when that state |
417 | requires the passing of a written examination in order to obtain |
418 | the license and a reciprocal agreement with the appropriate |
419 | official of that state has been entered into by the department; |
420 | or |
421 | 2. An applicant who is licensed as a nonresident public |
422 | adjuster in a state other than his or her state of residence |
423 | when the state of licensure requires the passing of a written |
424 | examination in order to obtain the license and a reciprocal |
425 | agreement with the appropriate official of the state of |
426 | licensure has been entered into by the department. |
427 | (e) Has been licensed and employed as a public adjuster in |
428 | the applicant's state of residence on a continual basis for the |
429 | past 3 years, or, if the applicant's state of residence does not |
430 | issue licenses to individuals who act as public adjusters, the |
431 | applicant has been licensed and employed as a resident insurance |
432 | company or independent adjuster, insurance agent, insurance |
433 | broker, or other insurance representative in his or her state of |
434 | residence or any other state on a continual basis for the past 3 |
435 | years. This paragraph does not apply to individuals who are |
436 | licensed to transact only life insurance and annuity business |
437 | had sufficient experience, training, or instruction concerning |
438 | the adjusting of damages or losses under insurance contracts, |
439 | other than life and annuity contracts; is sufficiently informed |
440 | as to the terms and effects of the provisions of those types of |
441 | insurance contracts; and possesses adequate knowledge of the |
442 | laws of this state relating to such contracts as to enable and |
443 | qualify him or her to engage in the business of insurance |
444 | adjuster fairly and without injury to the public or any member |
445 | thereof with whom he or she may have business as a public |
446 | adjuster. |
447 | (2) The applicant shall furnish the following with his or |
448 | her application: |
449 | (b) If currently licensed as a resident public adjuster in |
450 | the applicant's state of residence, a certificate or letter of |
451 | authorization from the licensing authority of the applicant's |
452 | state of residence, stating that the applicant holds a current |
453 | or comparable license to act as a public adjuster and has held |
454 | the license continuously for the past 3 years. The certificate |
455 | or letter of authorization must be signed by the insurance |
456 | commissioner or his or her deputy or the appropriate licensing |
457 | official and must disclose whether the adjuster has ever had any |
458 | license or eligibility to hold any license declined, denied, |
459 | suspended, revoked, or placed on probation or whether an |
460 | administrative fine or penalty has been levied against the |
461 | adjuster and, if so, the reason for the action. |
462 | (c) If the applicant's state of residence does not require |
463 | licensure as a public adjuster and the applicant has been |
464 | licensed as a resident insurance adjuster, agent, broker, or |
465 | other insurance representative in his or her state of residence |
466 | or any other state within the past 3 years, a certificate or |
467 | letter of authorization from the licensing authority stating |
468 | that the applicant holds or has held a license to act as such an |
469 | insurance adjuster, agent, or other insurance representative and |
470 | has held the license continuously for the past 3 years. The |
471 | certificate or letter of authorization must be signed by the |
472 | insurance commissioner or his or her deputy or the appropriate |
473 | licensing official and must disclose whether or not the |
474 | adjuster, agent, or other insurance representative has ever had |
475 | any license or eligibility to hold any license declined, denied, |
476 | suspended, revoked, or placed on probation or whether an |
477 | administrative fine or penalty has been levied against the |
478 | adjuster and, if so, the reason for the action. |
479 | (6) If available, the department shall verify the |
480 | nonresident applicant's licensing status through the producer |
481 | database maintained by the National Association of Insurance |
482 | Commissioners or its affiliates or subsidiaries. |
483 | Section 14. Effective October 1, 2008, section 626.8796, |
484 | Florida Statutes, is created to read: |
485 | 626.8796 Public adjuster contracts; fraud statement.--All |
486 | contracts for public adjuster services must be in writing and |
487 | must prominently display the following statement on the |
488 | contract: "Pursuant to s. 817.234, Florida Statutes, any person |
489 | who, with the intent to injure, defraud, or deceive any insurer |
490 | or insured, prepares, presents, or causes to be presented a |
491 | proof of loss or estimate of cost or repair of damaged property |
492 | in support of a claim under an insurance policy knowing that the |
493 | proof of loss or estimate of claim or repairs contains any |
494 | false, incomplete, or misleading information concerning any fact |
495 | or thing material to the claim commits a felony of the third |
496 | degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.803, or s. |
497 | 775.084, Florida Statutes." |
498 | Section 15. Effective October 1, 2008, section 626.8797, |
499 | Florida Statutes, is created to read: |
500 | 626.8797 Proof of loss; fraud statement.--All proof of |
501 | loss statements must prominently display the following |
502 | statement: "Pursuant to s. 817.234, Florida Statutes, any person |
503 | who, with the intent to injure, defraud, or deceive any insurer |
504 | or insured, prepares, presents, or causes to be presented a |
505 | proof of loss or estimate of cost or repair of damaged property |
506 | in support of a claim under an insurance policy knowing that the |
507 | proof of loss or estimate of claim or repairs contains any |
508 | false, incomplete, or misleading information concerning any fact |
509 | or thing material to the claim commits a felony of the third |
510 | degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.803, or s. |
511 | 775.084, Florida Statutes." |
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517 | ----------------------------------------------------- |
518 | T I T L E A M E N D M E N T |
519 | Remove line 2 and insert: |
520 | An act relating to insurance; amending s. 624.501, F.S.; |
521 | providing for filing fees for an application for reinstatement |
522 | of a suspended license; amending s. 626.015, F.S.; redefining |
523 | the term "adjuster" to include a public adjuster apprentice; |
524 | amending s. 626.221, F.S.; providing that certain company |
525 | employee adjusters and independent adjusters seeking |
526 | reinstatement of a suspended license are not required to take an |
527 | examination; amending s. 626.241, F.S.; requiring that the |
528 | Department of Financial Services create an examination for |
529 | applicants seeking licensure as a public adjuster and a separate |
530 | examination for applicants seeking licensure as a company |
531 | employee adjuster or independent adjuster; providing that an |
532 | examination on worker's compensation insurance or health |
533 | insurance may not be required for public adjusters; amending s. |
534 | 626.641, F.S.; providing that a suspended license may not be |
535 | reinstated unless the individual seeking reinstatement files an |
536 | application for reinstatement which is subsequently approved by |
537 | the department; prohibiting the department from approving such |
538 | an application under certain circumstances; amending s. 626.854, |
539 | F.S.; prohibiting a public adjuster from soliciting or entering |
540 | into a contract with any insured or claimant under an insurance |
541 | policy for a specified period after the occurrence of an event |
542 | that may be the subject of a claim; providing an exception; |
543 | providing that a public adjuster's contract to adjust a claim |
544 | may be canceled by the client without penalty within a specified |
545 | period after the execution of the contract; requiring that a |
546 | public adjuster disclose to a client his or her right to cancel |
547 | a contract by specified means; providing an exception during a |
548 | state of emergency; specifying an unfair and deceptive insurance |
549 | trade practice; prohibiting a public adjuster, apprentice, or |
550 | his or her agent from giving or offering a monetary loan or an |
551 | article in excess of a specified value to a client or |
552 | prospective client; prohibiting a public adjuster from basing |
553 | any charge, fee, payment, commission, or compensation relating |
554 | to a supplemental claim on the corresponding previous settlement |
555 | or claim payment; prohibiting a public adjuster from charging, |
556 | agreeing to, or accepting a fee, payment, commission, or any |
557 | compensation in excess of certain amounts; providing |
558 | application; requiring public adjusters to provide claimants or |
559 | insureds a written estimate of certain losses relating to claims |
560 | for payment of insurance proceeds; requiring adjusters to retain |
561 | estimates for a specified time and make estimates available to |
562 | claimants, insureds, and the department; creating s. 626.8541, |
563 | F.S.; defining the term "public adjuster apprentice"; amending |
564 | s. 626.865, F.S.; providing qualifications that an applicant |
565 | must possess before the issuance of a license by the department; |
566 | requiring that certain persons applying for a license after the |
567 | completion of a period of suspension, termination, cancellation, |
568 | revocation, or expiration must pass the examination required for |
569 | licensure as a public adjuster; creating s. 626.8651, F.S.; |
570 | providing requirements for licensure as a public adjuster |
571 | apprentice; requiring that the department approve an application |
572 | under certain circumstances; requiring that all license fees be |
573 | paid before the department issues a license; requiring the |
574 | applicant to file a bond in a specified amount in favor of the |
575 | department; providing for termination of the bond; requiring |
576 | that the apprentice's work be supervised by a licensed adjuster |
577 | in good standing; authorizing the department to adopt rules |
578 | governing employment requirements; providing that the |
579 | supervising adjuster is responsible for the acts of the |
580 | apprentice; providing a period of effectiveness for an |
581 | apprentice license; providing that an individual licensed as an |
582 | apprentice may file an application for licensure as a public |
583 | adjuster after a specified period of employment as an |
584 | apprentice; requiring that a sworn affidavit containing certain |
585 | information accompany such application; prohibiting an |
586 | apprentice from performing any functions for which a license is |
587 | required after the expiration of his or her license for |
588 | apprenticeship without first obtaining a license to work as a |
589 | public adjuster; limiting the authority of a public adjuster |
590 | apprentice; amending s. 626.869, F.S.; providing that an |
591 | examination on worker's compensation insurance or health |
592 | insurance may not be required for public adjusters; providing |
593 | for continuing education for company employee adjusters, |
594 | independent adjusters, and public adjusters; providing for the |
595 | satisfaction of continuing education requirements for |
596 | nonresident adjusters; amending s. 626.8698, F.S.; providing |
597 | disciplinary guidelines for public adjusters and public adjuster |
598 | apprentices; amending s. 626.870, F.S.; providing requirements |
599 | for the reinstatement of a suspended license, an appointment, or |
600 | eligibility; providing for the notification of approval of an |
601 | application for reinstatement; amending s. 626.8732, F.S.; |
602 | revising requirements for licensure as a nonresident public |
603 | adjuster; providing exceptions to such requirements; requiring |
604 | that an applicant for licensure as a nonresident public adjuster |
605 | provide certain information with his or her application; |
606 | requiring that the department verify the nonresident applicant's |
607 | licensing status; creating s. 626.8796, F.S.; requiring that all |
608 | contracts for services by a public adjuster be in writing and |
609 | contain a specified statement regarding fraud; creating s. |
610 | 626.8797, F.S.; requiring that proof of loss statements contain |
611 | a specified statement regarding fraud; amending s. |
612 |
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