Appointment (Florida)

The authority given by an insurer or employer to a licensee (the appointee) to transact insurance or adjust claims on its behalf. Insurers notify the Department of initial/renewal appointments and pay the related taxes and fees (F.S. 626.451). Initial appointments are submitted monthly, no later than forty-five (45) days after the date of appointment (F.S. 626.371), effective on the date requested; late notification costs the appointing entity a $250 delinquent fee per appointee — which by statute may not be charged to the appointee (F.S. 626.381(4)). If someone was actively working while unappointed due to the insurer's inadvertent error, the appointment may still issue once all back fees and taxes are paid. An agent may hold as many appointments as they wish (one per insurer represented — a broker selling through 4 companies needs 4 appointments); a viatical settlement broker appoints themselves and pays the fees; and one single appointment can cover both life and health from the same insurer for a dually-licensed agent.

The license says you MAY sell insurance; the appointment says WHO you sell it for — and the company does the paperwork and pays the freight.