(1) The department may issue a nonrenewable temporary license for a period not to exceed 6 months authorizing appointment of a general lines insurance agent, a life agent, or a personal lines agent, subject to the conditions described in this section. The fees paid for a temporary license and appointment shall be as specified in s. 624.501. Fees paid are not refunded after a temporary license has been issued.

(a) An applicant for a temporary license must be:

1. A natural person at least 18 years of age.

2. A United States citizen or legal alien who possesses work authorization from the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.

(b)1. In the case of a general lines agent, the department may issue a temporary license to an employee, a family member, a business associate, or a personal representative of a licensed general lines agent for the purpose of continuing or winding up the business affairs of the agent or agency in the event the licensed agent has died or become unable to perform his or her duties because of military service or illness or other physical or mental disability, subject to the following conditions:

a. No other individual connected with the agent’s business may be licensed as a general lines agent.

b. The proposed temporary licensee shall be qualified for a regular general lines agent license under this code except as to residence, examination, education, or experience.

c. Application for the temporary license shall have been made by the applicant upon statements and affidavit filed with the department on forms prescribed and furnished by the department.

d. Under a temporary license and appointment, the licensee may not represent any insurer not last represented by the agent being replaced and may not be licensed or appointed as to any additional kind, line, or class of insurance other than those covered by the last existing agency appointments of the replaced agent. If an insurer withdraws from the agency during the temporary license period, the temporary licensee may be appointed by another similar insurer but only for the period remaining under the temporary license.

2. A regular general lines agent license may be issued to a temporary licensee upon meeting the qualifications for a general lines agent license under s. 626.731.

(c) In the case of a life agent, the department may issue a temporary license:

1. To the executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased individual licensed and appointed as a life agent at the time of death;

2. To a surviving next of kin of the deceased individual, if no administrator or executor has been appointed and qualified; however, any license and appointment under this subparagraph shall be canceled upon issuance of a license to an executor or administrator under subparagraph 1.; or

3. To an individual otherwise qualified to be licensed as an agent who has completed the educational or training requirements prescribed in s. 626.7851 and who is appointed to represent an insurer of the industrial or ordinary-combination class solely for the purpose of collecting premiums and servicing in-force policies. Such licensee may not directly or indirectly solicit, negotiate, or effect contracts of insurance.

(d) In the case of a personal lines agent, the department may issue a temporary license:

1. To the executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased individual licensed and appointed as a personal lines agent at the time of death;

2. To a surviving next of kin of the deceased individual, if no administrator or executor has been appointed and qualified. Any license and appointment under this subparagraph shall be canceled upon issuance of a license to an executor or administrator under subparagraph 1.; or

3. To an individual otherwise qualified to be licensed as an agent who has completed the educational or training requirements prescribed in s. 626.732 and who is appointed to represent an insurer of the industrial or ordinary-combination class solely for the purpose of collecting premiums and servicing in-force policies. Such licensee may not directly or indirectly solicit, negotiate, or effect contracts of insurance.

(2) If an absent or disabled agent being replaced under a temporary license returns or becomes able to resume the active conduct of the agency, or if the disposition of the affairs of the agency of a deceased or mentally incompetent agent is completed, or the temporary licensee has qualified for a regular license, before expiration otherwise of the temporary license, the temporary license shall terminate.

(3) If, during the 6-month temporary license and appointment period, the applicant passes the licensing examination, the temporary license shall terminate and a license shall be issued by the department after payment of a modification fee as prescribed in s. 624.501.

(4) An application for a temporary license shall be made by the applicant upon statements and affidavit filed with the department on forms prescribed and furnished by the department.

(5) Except as provided in this section, the holder of a temporary license shall be subject to the Florida Insurance Code to the same extent as regularly licensed and appointed agents.

(6) The department may limit the authority of any temporary licensee in any way deemed necessary to protect insureds and the public.

(7) The department may issue to an applicant only one temporary license for each kind, line, or class of insurance or a single temporary license covering multiple lines.

History.—s. 10, ch. 2002-206; s. 24, ch. 2003-267; s. 17, ch. 2003-281; s. 106, ch. 2004-5; s. 16, ch. 2019-140.