Methods to Renew Your Insurance coverage License with a Legal Background Half 1: Alabama via Georgia

This publish is a part of a collection sponsored by AgentSync.

Insurance coverage licenses could be arduous to get and maintain, even for these with probably the most pristine backgrounds. So, what’s an insurance coverage producer to do in the event that they discover themselves within the unlucky place of being up for license renewal with a change to their felony historical past?

Sarcastically, even going from having a felony file to not having one could cause an issue for insurance coverage licenseholders (see our protection of Michigan’s Clear Slate regulation and the challenges of automated felony file expungement). Nonetheless, extra generally, somebody with an insurance coverage license could get entangled within the felony justice system and have new prices or convictions to report.

To be clear, a producer on this scenario shouldn’t wait till their subsequent renewal to report the change of their felony background to each state they’re licensed in. Each single state requires producers to tell them inside 30 days of recent prices, convictions, or administrative actions – though the specifics of how to try this change state to state.

To say that every state handles this a bit in a different way shouldn’t shock anybody. So, please do not forget that this text isn’t an alternative choice to authorized recommendation! We’ll strive, nevertheless, to briefly define what every state expects an insurance coverage licenseholder to do if they’ve a brand new felony file when it comes time to resume their license.

A federal regulation with state-by-state enforcement

At first look, you would possibly assume there’s a easy reply to the difficulty of how an insurance coverage agent must proceed with their license renewal in the event that they’ve obtained a brand new felony historical past to report. That’s as a result of there’s truly a federal regulation referred to as 18 U.S.C. 1033 that governs “crimes by or affecting individuals engaged within the enterprise of insurance coverage whose actions have an effect on interstate commerce.”

This regulation declares that it’s a federal offense for somebody who’s been convicted of a felony felony consisting of dishonesty or a breach of belief to conduct insurance-related enterprise with out the written consent of their resident state’s insurance coverage regulator. Thus, to get permission to work in insurance coverage, somebody with this sort of felony historical past (theoretically) wants a 1033 waiver from their resident state’s insurance coverage commissioner (and infrequently from their nonresident license states as nicely).

It sounds easy, not less than till you begin asking which crimes particularly contain dishonesty and breaches of belief (there’s no official, complete listing). And it turns into even murkier whenever you take a look at how every state interprets and enforces this federal rule.

Only a few examples embody:

Florida: The state doesn’t grant 1033 consents. Subsequently, somebody with a felony historical past involving dishonesty or breach of belief can’t maintain a Florida insurance coverage license, interval.
Alabama: The state has a proprietary kind on which a producer should report any and all new felony prices and convictions. Utilizing this manner, Alabama decides whether or not the producer wants to use for a 1033 consent, and whether or not or to not grant one.
Alaska: This state appears to depart the judgment name to the producer as as to if their crime qualifies as one which wants a 1033 consent. When you assume you want one, it’s important to apply for one. When you don’t assume you want one and proceed promoting insurance coverage, and the state has a distinct opinion about your conviction, you’re going to be in scorching water!

With the understanding that, particularly for felonies associated to dishonesty and breaches of belief, there’s this complete different can of worms, what about different prices and convictions? For the needs of this text, we’ll summarize our findings of every state’s stance on what an insurance coverage license holder is required to do if – after already holding an insurance coverage license – they get charged with or convicted of a brand new crime*.

*Keep in mind, we’re speaking about crimes that don’t fall beneath the necessity for a 1033 waiver. Nonetheless, you’ll see loads of mentions of the 1033 waiver as a result of, typically, the state needs all the knowledge earlier than figuring out if one is required.

After which there’s the Producer Licensing Mannequin Act

Earlier than we dive into how every state offers with producers reporting new felony exercise of their backgrounds, it’s additionally related to notice that the Nationwide Affiliation of Insurance coverage Commissioners (NAIC) offers with this in its Producer Licensing Mannequin Act (PLMA). Whereas that is mannequin laws, and never a regulation, many states use it – or not less than base their very own legal guidelines on the NAIC’s mannequin.

In keeping with Part 17 of the PLMA, a producer should report any new felony and administrative actions taken in opposition to them by any state, jurisdiction, or governmental company inside 30 days. Whereas every state could interpret or implement this in its personal manner, many states base their felony historical past reporting procedures on the mannequin laws.

One factor that doesn’t change state to state is the requirement to report inside 30 days. When you take nothing else away from this text, know that you just’re higher off reporting any new prices, convictions, or administrative actions to your resident and nonresident license states as quickly as potential. Every state permits the producer to supply context surrounding the costs or convictions for consideration. Few states have arduous and quick guidelines that instantly disqualify a producer.

Soar to a state

With 50 states plus the District of Columbia to cowl, we’ve divided this matter right into a collection. This text covers Alabama via Georgia, and you’ll click on the state beneath to leap on to it. Be careful for extra states coming quickly!

Methods to renew my Alabama insurance coverage license after a felony conviction

In keeping with the Alabama Division of Insurance coverage, “Conviction of any felony is usually a floor for denial, non-renewal, suspension, or revocation of a license.”

In order that the Alabama Insurance coverage Commissioner can decide whether or not to grant or renew an insurance coverage license, anybody with a felony cost or conviction has to finish the state’s “Legal Historical past Disclosure Type.” The insurance coverage commissioner then makes use of the detailed info collected on this kind to resolve whether or not to “grant, renew, or enable retention of a license; to resolve whether or not written consent beneath 18 U.S.C. § 1033 is required; and to resolve whether or not to grant written consent for functions of 18 U.S.C. § 1033, if required.”

When to finish the Legal Historical past Disclosure kind

Alabama requires the insurance coverage license holder to report any new arrests, prices, convictions, administrative actions (and different modifications in authorized standing, all of which could be present in Ala. Admin. Code r. 482-1-054-.03) inside 30 days. This consists of any of the aforementioned occasions whether or not they occurred within the state of Alabama, or elsewhere.

What about misdemeanors in Alabama?

The Alabama legal guidelines are fairly particular: Having a felony conviction is usually a disqualifying issue for working in insurance coverage, whereas misdemeanors aren’t (essentially). You continue to should report misdemeanor prices and convictions, together with authorized troubles categorised as administrative actions, but it surely seems much less seemingly you’ll be denied an insurance coverage license renewal due to them.

What about nonresident producers searching for to resume their Alabama license after a conviction?

Alabama’s tackle that is all about reciprocity. When you’ve obtained a 1033 waiver out of your resident state, or in case your resident state has decided that no 1033 waiver is required so that you can maintain working in insurance coverage, then Alabama will typically honor that call so long as your state additionally has a coverage of reciprocating Alabama’s determinations on this matter in relation to its resident producers within the different state.

It gained’t shock you, although, that you just nonetheless want to finish Alabama’s Legal Historical past Disclosure kind to start out the method of reciprocity on your resident state’s 1033 waiver or its dedication that none is required.

Methods to renew my Alaska insurance coverage license after a felony conviction

In keeping with Alaska’s Division of Insurance coverage, “When you have a misdemeanor, felony or different felony offense in your file, qualifying for a license might be decided on a case-by-case foundation.” Assuming you already had your Alaska insurance coverage license when the brand new cost or conviction occurred, you’re required to report it inside 30 days of it being filed. For administrative actions, Alaska says you’re required to report it “inside 30 days of the ultimate disposition of the motion” and reporting could be by way of mail, e mail, or importing to the NIPR Attachments Warehouse – Reporting of Actions. E-mail correspondence from the Alaska DOI additionally clarifies that the state requires navy convictions to be reported identical to felony and civil convictions.

To meet Alaska’s reporting necessities, use the web NIPR Attachments Warehouse – Reporting of Actions. The state additionally imposes late charges if a licensed agent reviews a felony cost, conviction, or administrative motion past 30 days of its submitting. These charges vary from $50 for the primary 60 days (after the deadline) to $200 for reviews submitted greater than 120 days after the deadline.

What about misdemeanors in Alaska?

Alaska requires licensed insurance coverage brokers to report all crimes (each prices and convictions), together with misdemeanors, aside from a couple of particular varieties of misdemeanors.

In Alaska, you don’t have to report:

Misdemeanor site visitors citations
Misdemeanor driving beneath the affect (DUI) or driving whereas intoxicated (DWI) offenses
Driving and not using a license, reckless driving, or driving with a suspended or revoked license
Misdemeanor offenses adjudicated in a juvenile court docket

Supply: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/internet/ins/Producers/CriminalOffense.aspx

What about nonresident producers searching for to resume their Alaska license after a conviction?

Nonresident producers who want a 1033 waiver should submit a duplicate of their signed waiver from their resident state to Alaska, though the state nonetheless reserves the appropriate to make its personal dedication on whether or not to grant it.

For all different crimes that don’t fall beneath needing a 1033 waiver, Alaska needs nonresident producers to comply with the identical process as resident producers, and the state will make an unbiased determination about whether or not to permit somebody to maintain their nonresident license.

One last observe on insurance coverage licensing and felony convictions in Alaska

In Alaska, an insurance coverage producer with a felony historical past isn’t the one one who can get into hassle. With particular regard to these particular varieties of crimes that contain dishonesty or breach of belief (the sort requiring a 1033 waiver), Alaska says:

Any individual permitting a person with a felony conviction involving dishonesty or breach of belief to work in any capability in an insurance coverage entity, previous to acquiring consent, is in violation of federal and state regulation and topic to administrative motion and federal and felony sanctions

Supply: 18 U.S.C. § 1033, 18 U.S.C. § 1034, AS 21.36.355

Methods to renew my Arizona insurance coverage license after a felony conviction

Arizona doesn’t have complete on-line documentation for the way a producer ought to go about reporting new felony background info. Nonetheless, in accordance with correspondence with the Arizona Division of Insurance coverage and Monetary Establishments Insurance coverage Licensing Part, Arizona’s procedures are in step with the NAIC’s PLMA for reporting new felony actions.

This implies Arizona requires all producers, each resident and nonresident, to “report back to the commissioner any felony prosecution of the producer taken in any jurisdiction,” inside 30 days. Arizona doesn’t require this info in a selected format; paperwork simply should be uploaded to the NIPR Attachments Warehouse – Reporting of Actions. The data a producer should submit consists of the preliminary charging doc and different related listening to paperwork.

What about misdemeanors in Arizona?

Arizona requires producers to submit the identical info whatever the classification of the crime. Producers with an Arizona insurance coverage license ought to assume this is applicable to felonies, misdemeanors, and administrative actions alike.

What about nonresident producers searching for to resume their Arizona license after a conviction?

Arizona treats nonresident producers precisely like resident producers on this respect. When you’ve obtained a nonresident Arizona license, comply with the identical procedures to report your new prices or convictions inside 30 days by importing paperwork to the NIPR Attachments Warehouse – Reporting of Actions.

Methods to renew my Arkansas insurance coverage license after a felony conviction

The Arkansas Insurance coverage Division follows Part 17 of the NAIC’s PLMA for reporting new felony actions. The state’s model, present in Arkansas Code Part 23-64-517(b) requires all producers, each resident and nonresident, to “report back to the commissioner any felony prosecution of the producer taken in any jurisdiction,” inside 30 days.

Arkansas doesn’t require this info in a selected format; paperwork simply should be uploaded to the NIPR Attachments Warehouse – Reporting of Actions. The data a producer should submit consists of the preliminary charging doc and different related listening to paperwork.

Particularly, the Arkansas Division of Insurance coverage advises producers to ensure they add:

For misdemeanors:

An announcement relating to the occasions that led to the cost
The decision doc that exhibits all stipulations of the court docket had been met (these are often fines)

For felonies:

An announcement relating to the occasions that led to the cost
Charging paperwork resembling an indictment from the prosecutor
Sentencing order (observe: if adjudication hasn’t been accomplished, you gained’t have this)
The decision doc that exhibits all stipulations of the court docket had been met (observe: if adjudication hasn’t been accomplished, you gained’t have this)

Lastly, the Arkansas DOI means that any producer trying to report a brand new felony background by importing to the NIPR Attachments Warehouse – Reporting of Actions also needs to e mail insurance coverage.license@arkansas.gov to allow them to know you’ve uploaded them.

What about misdemeanors in Arkansas?

Arkansas’s guidelines apply to all crimes, together with misdemeanors and felonies. Everybody ought to comply with the procedures outlined within the earlier part, and Arkansas didn’t observe any exceptions to varieties of crimes that should be reported.

What about nonresident producers searching for to resume their Arkansas license after a conviction?

Arkansas’s guidelines apply to resident and nonresident producers alike. Going via this course of in a single’s resident state doesn’t excuse a producer from following Arkansas’s course of as nicely. Within the case of a criminal offense that triggers the necessity for a 1033 waiver, the producer might want to get this from their resident state first, then present it to Arkansas for consideration.

Methods to renew my California insurance coverage license after a felony conviction

In keeping with California Insurance coverage Code Part 1729.2, an insurance coverage producer who has a change of their background should report the change inside 30 days utilizing California’s Background Data Change Disclosure Type.

There are extra types relying on whether or not the individual finishing it’s a person, a enterprise entity, director or officer of a enterprise entity, or different function. Learn extra particulars right here.

What’s thought of a background info change in California?

California classifies a variety of circumstances as modifications in background info, all of which it requires somebody to report back to the Division of Insurance coverage.

Background info to be reported inside 30 days consists of any of the next:

A misdemeanor or felony conviction;
A submitting of felony felony prices in state or federal court docket;
An administrative motion relating to an expert or occupational license;
Discharge or try and discharge in a private or organizational chapter continuing, an obligation relating to any insurance coverage premiums or fiduciary funds owed to any firm, together with a managing normal agent or premium finance firm; and
Any admission, or judicial discovering or dedication, of fraud, misappropriation or conversion of funds, misrepresentation, or breach of fiduciary responsibility.

Supply: https://www.insurance coverage.ca.gov/0200-industry/0200-prod-licensing/0100-applicant-info/0500-background-change/0100-ab2557-overview/background-disclosure-form.cfm

What about misdemeanors in California?

California maintains that it considers every individual’s background on a case-by-case foundation and there are not any arduous and quick guidelines about who’ll be granted a license renewal and who gained’t. With that in thoughts, California does require producers to report new misdemeanor convictions (observe: the state doesn’t require you to report misdemeanor prices, whereas it does require you to report felony prices).

What about nonresident producers searching for to resume their California license after a conviction?

California regulation states “any and all resident and nonresident producer licensees and candidates who intend to transact within the enterprise of insurance coverage” in addition to “unlicensed officers, administrators, and controlling individuals” are required to make use of the Background Data Change Disclosure Type to report modifications in background inside 30 days.

When you’re a producer with a nonresident California license, and also you’ve been charged with or convicted of one of many crimes that warrants a 1033 waiver, that you must present California with the written consent of your resident state earlier than attempting to get the identical from California. California does warning, nevertheless, that it doesn’t robotically reciprocate the 1033 waiver out of your resident state.

One last observe on insurance coverage licensing and felony convictions in California

In California, an insurance coverage producer with a felony historical past isn’t the one one who can get into hassle. With regards particularly to these particular varieties of crimes that contain dishonesty or breach of belief (the sort requiring a 1033 waiver), California says:

Additional, it’s a felony offense for any individual to willfully make use of, or willfully allow, such “prohibited individuals” to take part within the enterprise of insurance coverage with out the required written consent. A “Prohibited Particular person” could also be an officer, director or worker of an insurance coverage company or an insurance coverage firm, an agent, solicitor, dealer, advisor, third social gathering administrator, managing normal agent, or subcontractor representing an insurance coverage company or insurance coverage firm who engages in or transacts the enterprise of insurance coverage.

Supply: https://www.insurance coverage.ca.gov/0200-industry/0200-prod-licensing/0100-applicant-info/0600-1033-application/index.cfm

Methods to renew my Colorado insurance coverage license after a felony conviction

In keeping with Colorado regulation, CO Code § 10-2-801 (2022), “The commissioner could place an insurance coverage producer on probation; droop, revoke, or refuse to subject, proceed, or renew an insurance coverage producer license; order restitution to be paid from an insurance coverage producer; or assess a civil penalty” for quite a lot of causes. A number of of those causes embody being convicted of a misdemeanor or felony “involving ethical turptidude,” together with administrative actions and convictions for insurance coverage fraud.

Like different states, Colorado permits 30 days for a licensed producer to report new felony historical past. Particularly:

“Inside thirty days after the preliminary pretrial listening to date, a producer or enterprise entity shall report back to the commissioner any felony prosecution of the producer in any jurisdiction. The report shall embody a duplicate of the preliminary criticism, the order ensuing from the listening to, and every other related authorized paperwork”

Supply: https://regulation.justia.com/codes/colorado/2022/title-10/article-2/part-8/section-10-2-801/

Colorado doesn’t specify how a producer is meant to report these things, nevertheless it could be a secure guess to add them to the NIPR Attachments Warehouse – Reporting of Actions.

What about misdemeanors in Colorado?

Colorado’s regulation requires producers to report “any felony prosecution of the producer in any jurisdiction,” which logically consists of misdemeanors. It could not embody site visitors citations, or different violations that aren’t thought of felony prosecution; nevertheless, with out clear course from the Colorado DOI, we are able to’t say for positive.

What about nonresident producers searching for to resume their Colorado license after a conviction?

Colorado’s regulation makes no distinction between resident and nonresident producers in relation to reporting felony prices and convictions. Provided that the state requires reporting felony prosecutions in any jurisdiction, we imagine nonresident producers have to report back to Colorado any felony prices and convictions that happen in any state.

Getting your Colorado insurance coverage license again if it’s revoked

Colorado could be very specific in its regulation that the insurance coverage commissioner could revoke a producer’s license for numerous causes involving dangerous conduct (not simply felony convictions). It additionally permits for a producer to voluntarily give up their license in the event that they’re on this scenario and wish to keep away from license revocation and different disciplinary actions. The regulation can be clear that when this occurs, whether or not revoked or voluntarily surrendered, the producer isn’t eligible to use for a brand new Colorado insurance coverage license for 2 years following its revocation or give up.

Methods to renew my Connecticut insurance coverage license after a felony conviction

The Connecticut Insurance coverage Division follows Part 17 of the NAIC’s PLMA for reporting new felony actions. The state’s model, present in Sec. 38a-702o. reads:

A producer shall report back to the commissioner any administrative motion taken in opposition to the producer in one other jurisdiction or by one other governmental company on this state not later than thirty days after the ultimate disposition of the matter. The report shall embody a duplicate of the order, consent to order or different related authorized paperwork.

Not later than thirty days after the preliminary pretrial listening to date, a producer shall report back to the commissioner any felony prosecution taken in opposition to the producer in any jurisdiction. The report shall embody a duplicate of the preliminary criticism filed, the order ensuing from the listening to and every other related authorized paperwork.

Supply: https://www.cga.ct.gov/present/pub/chap_701a.htm#sec_38a-702o

What about misdemeanors in Connecticut?

Connecticut’s regulation states a producer has to report “any felony prosecution…in any jurisdiction.” We take this to incorporate misdemeanors, regardless that they aren’t particularly named. Whereas the umbrella time period “felony prosecution” could not embody site visitors violations, civil prices and convictions, or different issues, with out clear course from Connecticut we might err on the facet of warning and report any new felony background to the state inside 30 days.

What about nonresident producers searching for to resume their Connecticut license after a conviction?

Connecticut regulation makes no distinction between resident and nonresident producers. With out this specification, we assume resident and nonresident producers alike should comply with the Connecticut reporting necessities outlined in its regulation.

Methods to renew my Delaware insurance coverage license after a felony conviction

Delaware regulation – as present in 18 DE Code § 1719 (2022) – requires licensed producers to report “any felony prosecution of the licensee taken in any jurisdiction,” “any administrative motion taken in opposition to the licensee in one other jurisdiction or by one other governmental company,” and in accordance with e mail correspondence from the Delaware Division of Insurance coverage, this consists of site visitors violations, misdemeanors, and even youngster assist actions.

The Delaware DOI requests {that a} producer add all info to the NIPR Attachments Warehouse – Reporting of Actions inside 30 days, together with court docket paperwork, statements, police reviews, and every other pertinent info. A producer who doesn’t report these things inside 30 days dangers their license being suspended or revoked, even when that won’t have been the choice of the DOI after reviewing the reviews.

What about misdemeanors in Delaware?

Delaware needs producers to report all new prices and convictions inside 30 days. There isn’t an exception for site visitors violations or misdemeanors.

What about nonresident producers searching for to resume their Delaware license after a conviction?

Producers with a nonresident Delaware license ought to comply with the identical procedures as resident producers. Within the case {that a} nonresident producer has already obtained approval from their resident state to proceed holding their insurance coverage license, they will add this to Delaware and the state’s market conduct division will make a dedication. Whereas Delaware doesn’t declare reciprocity with one other state’s selections, the producer’s license standing with their resident state will issue into the consideration.

Methods to renew my Florida insurance coverage license after a felony conviction

Florida has an in depth set of legal guidelines regarding insurance coverage producers with any kind of felony historical past and a whole webpage dedicated to spelling out the specifics. For producers who’re already licensed when new felony prices happen, the Florida Division of Insurance coverage will “instantly briefly droop a license or appointment when the licensee is charged with a felony enumerated in s. 626.207” – that’s, one of many crimes that comes with an automated disqualification interval that we’ll get into beneath.

In keeping with MyFloridaCFO, some crimes end in a everlasting ban on a producer’s capacity to carry an insurance coverage license, whereas others end in a seven-year or 15-year disqualification interval. For these crimes that aren’t trigger for a everlasting ban, somebody can apply (or reapply) for a Florida insurance coverage license on the finish of the disqualification interval, although the state reserves the appropriate to disclaim the appliance.

In Florida, being convicted of the next crimes (though this isn’t a complete listing) means you may by no means once more maintain an insurance coverage license:

Any capital felony
Any felony straight associated to monetary companies enterprise
Any first-degree felony
Counterfeiting monetary companies devices
Embezzlement
False statements relating to monetary companies transactions
Cash laundering
Sale of unregistered securities

The next crimes (which will not be an entire listing) will get an insurance coverage producer a 15-year disqualification, and that interval begins “upon the applicant’s last launch from supervision or upon completion of the applicant’s felony sentence, together with cost of fines, restitution, and court docket prices for the crime for which the disqualifying interval applies.”

Abuse of an aged individual
Aggravated assault
Aggravated battery
Aggravated fleeing and eluding (excessive pace or demonstrating wanton disregard)
Aggravated stalking
Arson
Battery on regulation enforcement officer involving intentional bodily damage
Bomb menace or putting a bomb
Breaking and getting into
Bribery
Housebreaking (relying on circumstances) or housebreaking of an occupied dwelling
Baby abuse
Baby molestation
Counterfeiting non-financial companies devices)
Dealing in stolen property
Escape
Extortion
False assertion (non-financial companies transactions)
Felony battery strangulation
Forgery
Fraud (not associated to monetary companies enterprise)
Grand larceny
Grand theft
Introduction of contraband right into a detention facility (sure circumstances)
Kidnapping
Leaving the scene of an accident with accidents
Manslaughter
Homicide
Passing nugatory financial institution verify (greater than $500)
Perjury
Possession of medicine with intent to promote/ship/and so on.
Rape
Receiving stolen property
Resisting arrest or resisting an officer with violence
Theft
Sexual battery/sodomy
Tampering with proof
Tax evasion
Theft/larceny
Transmission of wagering info in interstate and overseas commerce
Use or possession of ID of one other individual with out consent
Vehicular murder

Lastly, the next crimes (once more, Florida caveats, this isn’t an entire listing) will get an insurance coverage producer a seven-year disqualification, and that interval begins “upon the applicant’s last launch from supervision or upon completion of the applicant’s felony sentence, together with cost of fines, restitution, and court docket prices for the crime for which the disqualifying interval applies.”

Battery on regulation enforcement officer (not involving intentional bodily damage)
Housebreaking (relying on circumstances)
Carrying a hid weapon
Baby neglect
Legal mischief
Home violence
Driving beneath affect/driving whereas intoxicated
Driving whereas license suspended/revoked
Felony battery
Fleeing and eluding (lights and sirens)
Introduction of contraband right into a detention facility (sure circumstances)
Passing a nugatory financial institution verify of $500 or much less
Possession of medicine
Possession of firearm by ex-felon
Resisting arrest or resisting an officer with out violence
Sale of fireworks
Solicitation of prostitution
Trespassing

What about misdemeanors in Florida?

Florida regulation requires an insurance coverage producer to report in writing to the state inside 30 days “after pleading responsible or nolo contendere to, or being convicted or discovered responsible of, any felony or a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment of 1 12 months or extra beneath the regulation of the USA or of any state thereof, or beneath the regulation of every other nation with out regard as to if a judgment of conviction has been entered by the court docket having jurisdiction of the case.”

The above description could embody some extra critical misdemeanors, however seems to say that for those who’re convicted of a criminal offense that’s not punishable by a 12 months or extra in jail, you aren’t required to report it to the state.

For sure misdemeanors, nevertheless, Florida could be very particular. The state imposes a seven-year disqualification interval on anybody convicted of a misdemeanor “straight associated to the monetary companies enterprise or any misdemeanor straight associated to any violation of the Florida Insurance coverage Code.”

What about nonresident producers searching for to resume their Florida license after a conviction?

Florida’s legal guidelines are clear about needing to report crimes to the state no matter what jurisdiction they occurred in. It seems as if Florida will implement its guidelines and never grant nonresident licenses based mostly on them no matter whether or not a producer can nonetheless acquire a license of their resident state.

Methods to renew my Georgia insurance coverage license after a felony conviction

In keeping with Georgia Code § 33-23-21 (2022), a licensed producer should “report back to the Commissioner any felony prosecution of the applicant or licensee taken in any jurisdiction. The report shall embody a duplicate of the preliminary criticism filed, the order ensuing from any listening to that has taken place, and every other related authorized paperwork. Such report have to be filed with the appliance or inside 30 days of the date of arrest.” Failing to take action will end in suspension or revocation of your Georgia insurance coverage license, so reporting any new felony prices by importing paperwork to Georgia’s Producer and Company Portal is step one.

Other than that preliminary reporting requirement, Georgia regulation additionally says that it’ll revoke a producer’s license if they’ve “been convicted of any felony or of any crime involving ethical turpitude within the courts of this state or every other state, territory, or nation or within the courts of the USA.” This wording gives the look that Georgia doesn’t grant 1033 waivers for producers convicted of these crimes who wish to maintain their licenses.

Georgia clarifies that the licensee might be handled as if the crime had been a felony, even when it was dedicated in one other state through which it’s not a felony, if Georgia regulation considers it such. The regulation additionally specifies that an insurance coverage producer gained’t escape license revocation even when they’re handled by the courts as a “first offender,” which can embody their sentence being lighter, suspended (probation solely), or dropped totally. In Georgia, for those who do the crime (even for those who don’t do the time), you’re nonetheless seemingly going to lose your insurance coverage license.

What about misdemeanors in Georgia?

Georgia regulation doesn’t distinguish between felonies, misdemeanors, or different varieties of felony prices and convictions. It could be secure to imagine that the reporting necessities apply to each kind of crime, and since Georgia is so critical in regards to the penalties for not reporting felony prosecution, you’re higher secure than sorry.

What about nonresident producers searching for to resume their Georgia license after a conviction?

Georgia regulation makes no distinction between resident and nonresident producers. With out this specification, we assume resident and nonresident producers alike should comply with the Georgia reporting necessities outlined in its regulation.

What to do if in case you have new felony prices or convictions

As we’ve made our manner via the primary 10 states on our listing, one factor’s change into clear. Each state requires insurance coverage producers to report new felony exercise to the insurance coverage commissioner or division of insurance coverage, and to take action inside 30 days. Past that, the specifics fluctuate.

Whether or not there’re exceptions to the varieties of crimes that should be reported, whether or not a producer must report prices or solely convictions, and what the possibilities are that you could maintain an energetic license after reporting any kind of felony conviction are among the many variables that every state determines for itself.

We hope this information has been useful, however the backside line is that for those who’re an insurance coverage producer going through felony prices or convictions, your finest guess might be to seek the advice of together with your legal professional and your state’s DOI on to ensure you fulfill any necessities. Doing nothing is assured to land you in additional hassle than following the state’s reporting necessities.

To study extra in regards to the nuances of state-by-state insurance coverage compliance, try our free Compliance Library the place we’ve finished the analysis for you. When you’re able to make compliance streamlined and automated at your insurance coverage company, provider, MGA, or MGU, see how AgentSync can assist.

Subsequent Up: Half 2 – Hawaii via Maryland

Subjects
California
Florida
Fraud
Georgia
Connecticut
Alabama
Arkansas
Colorado
Alaska
Delaware
Arizona