-NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA OFFICE OF INSURANCE REGULATION-
FLORIDA INSURANCE COMMISSIONER ORDERS SEVERAL COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO CEASE AND DESIST THE UNAUTHORIZED SALE OF
HEALTH INSURANCE PRODUCTS
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Contact: Jack McDermott Brittany Benner
850-413-2515 850-413-2515
Jack.McDermott@floir.comBrittany.Benner@floir.com
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty today announced the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) has issued an Order to a dozen entities, including companies and their officers, for the unauthorized sale of health insurance products to approximately 2,500 Floridians. The Order notifies the companies and their officers that the Office will issue a Final Order to Cease and Desist from engaging in the unauthorized transaction of insurance in Florida. These entities include:
Beema-Pakistan Company, LTD., Serve America Assurance, LTD., William Worthy II, Real Benefits Association, David L. Clark, Affinity Group Benefits Association, Inc. , American Trade Association, Inc., Smart Data Solutions, L.L.C., SDS Management Group, Bart Posey, Richard Bachman, and Obed Kirkpatrick.
The Office initiated an investigation after receiving numerous complaints about 'fax blasts' or unsolicited faxes; these faxes advertised inexpensive health insurance coverage. According to some Florida residents who received these faxes and responded, the policies issued were not for major medical insurance as represented. Instead, the policies were for unauthorized limited benefit plans.
'This order today should send a message to those considering the unauthorized marketing of health insurance products in our state,' remarked Commissioner McCarty. 'The Office will vigorously prosecute anyone perpetrating fraud on Florida consumers and violating Florida's insurance laws.'
The companies and individuals 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 a health insurer is licensed in Florida by visiting the Company Search tool on www.floir.com.
About the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) has primary responsibility for regulation, compliance and enforcement of statutes related to the business of insurance and the monitoring of industry markets.
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