Welcome to the
Office of Insurance Regulation
Company Admissions
Frequently Asked Questions
https://iportal.fldfs.com/ifile/default.asp
Q1. What sections of the Florida Statutes govern L&H, P&C and Managed Care insurers?
Property & Casualty Insurers
Risk Retention Group Chapter 627, Part XIX, F.S.
Purchasing Group Chapter 627, Part XIX, F.S.
Assessable Mutual InsurersSection 628, Part II, F.S.
Captive Insurers
Section 628, Part V, F.S.
Domestic Permit Application Section 628.051, F.S.
Domestic Certificate of Authority Section 624, Part III, F.S.
Reciprocal Insurers (Permit) Section 628.051(2)(h), F.S.
Reciprocal Insurers (Certificate of Authority) Chapter 629, F.S.
Certificate of Authority (Foreign Insurers) Section 624, Part III, F.S.
Commercial Self-Insurance Funds
Section 624.462, F.S.
Acquisition of Controlling Stock (Domestic Insurers)
Section 628.461, F.S.
Approved Reinsurer/Non-Approved Reinsurer Section 624.610, F.S.
Redomestication to Florida
Section 628.520, F.S.
Eligible Surplus Lines Insurers
Chapter 626, Part VIII, F.S.
Life and Health Insurers
Fraternal Benefit Societies (Permit)
Chapter 632, F.S.
Fraternal Benefit Societies (Domestic COA)
Chapter 632, F.S.
Fraternal Certificate of Authority (Foreign) Chapter 632, F.S.
Domestic Application for Permit
Section 628.051, F.S.
Domestic Certificate of
Authority
Chapter 624, Part III, F.S.
Certificate of Authority (
Foreign Insurers)
Chapter 624, Part III, F.S.
Acquisition of Controlling Stock
(Domestic Insurers)
Section 628.461, F.S.
Managed Care
Health Maintenance Organizations
Chapter 641, Part I, F.S.
Prepaid Health Clinic
Chapter 641, Part II, F.S.
Prepaid Limited Health Service
Organizations
Chapter 636, F.S.
Multiple Employer Welfare
Arrangements
Chapter 624.436 - 624.446, F.S.
Fiscal Intermediary Service
Organizations
Section 641.316, F.S.
Q2. How long does it take
to receive an insurance company
license to conduct business in
the State of Florida?
A: Incomplete applications are
the single most common causes of
licensing delays. After an
application is accepted, and
considered to be complete,
we strive to conclude the review
process applications within 60
days.
Q3. What steps can I take to
avoid processing delays?
A: When filing the initial
application, make sure
every checklist item has been
answered or otherwise addressed,
and all attachments provided.
Be sure that every question
on the biographical statement
has been answered. Enter “N/A”
if the question is not
applicable or “none” where
appropriate. Also, on question 1
of the biographical statement,
provide the full given birth
name of the person for whom the
biographical statement is being
completed (initials are not
acceptable).
It is important to note that
information provided on the
biographical affidavit is
compared with information
provided by background
investigation agency and results
of fingerprint card submissions,
during review of the filing.
During the review of the filing,
provide prompt and through
responses to the Office’s
requests for additional
information or clarification.
Q4: What are the filing
fees for insurers in the State
of Florida?
A: Information regarding filing
fees can be found in Section
624.501, F.S.
Q5: How much money is required
to start an insurance company?
A: The amount typically ranges
from $2.5 to $5 million
depending on the type of
company. Amounts may increase
based on elements of an
insurer’s business plan. See
Section 624.407, F.S. for
additional information.
Q6: Does the State of Florida
have a deadline as to when
applications may be filed?
A: No. The Office of Insurance
Regulation accepts applications
all twelve months of the year.
However, no business should be
conducted until the application
is approved.
Q7: How does a foreign insurer
become authorized to conduct
business in Florida?
A: Complete the UCAA Expansion
Application Package
https://iportal.fldfs.com/ifile/default.asp.
Q6: What does my company need to
do in order to add a line of
business to its Certificate of
Authority?
A: Complete the appropriate
sections of the UCAA Corporate
Amendments Package
https://iportal.fldfs.com/ifile/default.asp.
Q7: How do I file a name change
for my insurance company?
A: Complete the appropriate
sections of the UCAA Corporate
Amendments Package
http://www.myfloridacfo.com/companies/ac/is_ac_index.htm.
Q8: Does Florida require
biographical affidavits and
background investigations?
A: Yes. Each controlling person
of the applicant and parent
companies, including but not
limited to officers, directors,
controlling shareholders,
partners, and the like, must
file with the office an NAIC
Biographical Affidavit
http://www.naic.org/ucaa/forms/Form11.doc
and submit a background
investigation
http://www.floir.com/pdf/OIR-C1-905.pdf
to the Office.
Q9: Does Florida require
fingerprints?
A: Yes. Each controlling person
of the applicant, immediate
parent company and ultimate
parent company, as determined in
Q8 above must file fingerprint
cards with the Office. If you
would like to order fingerprint
cards, email us at
appcoord@fldfs.com.
Florida residents have the
option of having their
fingerprints digitally scanned
rather than providing paper
fingerprint cards. Information
about digital scanning may be
found at
http://www.flprints.com.
Q10: I haven’t received my
renewal Certificate of
Authority. How can I get it?
A: The Office does not mail
renewal Certificates of
Authority. Each company’s
authorized lines of business are
listed on the renewal invoice
that is mailed to the company.
Q11: What are premium tax
requirements and how do I file
premium taxes?
A: Premium taxes are collected
by the Florida Department of
Revenue
http://www.myflorida.com/dor/
If you’re in Florida, call
1.800.352.3671. If you are
outside Florida, call
850.488.6800.
Q12: Can an insurer, licensed in
another state or country, set up
an office in Florida but not
conduct any business in Florida?
A: No, except an alien insurer
that establishes eligibility per
Section 624.402(8), Florida
Statutes and operates for the
limited purpose specified in
that section. See Section
624.401(2), F.S.
Q13: Are there other state
agency filing requirements?
A: Insurers must comply with all
Florida corporate laws and
regulations including all
Chapters of the Insurance
Code (Sections 624 – 651,
Florida Statutes).
Other questions? Please
email our Office at
appcoord@fldfs.com.