In two separate announcements issued today, December 22, 2009, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (“OIR”) ordered a motor vehicle warranty company, as well as a health insurer and both of their respective affiliates to cease and desist transacting the unauthorized marketing and selling of insurance products in Florida.
The OIR announcements are reprinted below.
Florida Insurance Commissioner Orders Four Companies To Cease and Desist Selling Motor Vehicle Service Agreement Products
Dec. 22, 2009
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty today announced that the Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) has issued an Order to National Automotive Services Inc.; Warranty Financial Inc. a/k/a Warranty Financial O.R.G. Inc.; Warranty USA; and Warranty Services to cease and desist transacting the unauthorized marketing and selling of motor vehicle service agreement products in Florida.
The Office investigation found that all companies except Warranty Services are registered corporations in Florida, but that none of companies holds a license to sell motor vehicle service agreements in this state. The Office alleges in its Order that in addition to selling insurance without a license, the companies’ agreements with each other resulted in at least 50 customers receiving fraudulent bills.
“These companies are selling motor vehicle service agreements without a license, and are fraudulently billing customers,” said Commissioner McCarty. “Today’s order will put a stop to their illegal practices.”
Last April, the Insurance Commissioner of the State of Oklahoma issued an Emergency Cease and Desist Order against these companies for engaging in the unauthorized business of service warranty and indemnity agreements in that state.
The companies have 21 days to challenge the Office’s action.
Under Florida law a person or entity may not transact, administer, or market a service agreement either in the State of Florida or from the State of Florida unless it is authorized to do so under a license issued by the Office.
Consumers may determine if an insurer is licensed in Florida by visiting the Company Search tool on www.floir.com.
Florida Insurance Commissioner Orders American Assurance Underwriters Group and Its Affiliates To Cease and Desist Selling Health Insurance Products
December 22, 2009
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty today announced that the Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) has issued an Order to American Assurance Underwriters Group and its affiliates Worldwide Expatriate Administrators LLC and Worldwide Expatriate Advisors LLC to cease and desist transacting the unauthorized marketing and selling of health insurance products in Florida.
The Office began an investigation of American Assurance Underwriters Group and its affiliates Worldwide Expatriate Administrators LLC and Worldwide Expatriate Advisors LLC marketing and business operations earlier this year. As a result of the investigation the Office determined that American Assurance Underwriters Group and its affiliates had marketed, sold, and continued to market and sell health insurance products in Florida underwritten by AAUG Insurance Company Ltd. without a license. AAUG Insurance Company Ltd. is a captive insurance company licensed by the British Virgin Islands and does not hold a certificate of authority from the Office in any capacity.
“We began investigating this company and its affiliates based on consumer inquires,” said Commissioner McCarty. “The Office will not tolerate unlicensed companies unlawfully selling insurance products to consumers in Florida.”
The companies have 21 days to challenge the Office’s action.
Under Florida law a person or entity may not transact, administer, or market insurance products either in the State of Florida or from the State of Florida unless it is authorized to do so under a license issued by the Office.
Consumers may determine if an insurer is licensed in Florida by visiting the Company Search tool on www.floir.com.
Leave A Comment