Insurance remained at the top of the legislative agenda this spring as the Florida Legislature debated everything from the future of no-fault auto insurance to making it easier for Floridians to protect their homes from hurricanes. In the process, the lawmakers also approved some measures to make life easier for insurance agents to do their jobs and protect their livelihoods from unlicensed workers. But perhaps the most important event was a bill that did not pass.

In the final weeks of session, the Florida Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and the Florida Association of Insurance Agents helped block a move by a group of non-agents to amend the Florida Insurance Code that would have authorized a broker-like exemption for so-called “unaffiliated insurance consultants.”

As spelled out in a draft amendment, the Department of Financial Services would have had to recognize and register so-called unaffiliated insurance consultants. The consultant would be defined as a person not affiliated with any insurer who chooses to practice as an independent insurance consultant providing “objective” advice to the buyers of insurance. These consultants would have been allowed to approach group health accounts or property insurance clients to discuss the clients' current insurance coverage. Non-agents allowed to perform these functions could have included a person with an academic degree from an accredited college or university in risk management or insurance, an attorney who is a member of the Florida Bar, or anyone else DFS deemed proper. The consultant would not be required to maintain a life and health agent's license, and would not require an appointment by any insurer.