Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky Orders Immediate Cease and Desist Against Two Companies for Unlicensed Activity

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-Florida Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky is ordering immediate suspensions against two companies for unlicensed activity. These suspensions are the result of two market conduct examinations that found iDeal Group,Inc., d/b/a iDeal Auto and First Premier Home Warranty Corp. operated without required licenses. OIR strongly encourages Florida consumers to research businesses and make sure they are properly licensed before entering into a contract or conducting business with an entity.

Commissioner Mike Yaworsky said, "Protecting Florida consumers remains our top priority, and operating without a required license is a direct violation of Florida law that will not be tolerated. Companies offering any kind of insurance related product must be fully authorized to conduct business in our state to ensure policyholders receive the protections and accountability they are entitled to under the law. OIR will continue to aggressively take enforcement action against unauthorized entities to maintain a fair, transparent, and compliant marketplace."

OIR's Market Conduct team received a notice from the Florida DFS and found iDeal sold a motor vehicle service agreement to a Florida consumer while not licensed in Florida. iDeal is based in New Jersey and is not licensed to conduct business, transact, administer, or market in Florida.

Similarly, OIR's Market Conduct team received a notice from the Florida DFS and found First Premier Home Warranty Corp. sold home warranties to Florida consumers while not licensed in Florida. First Premier is based in New York and is not appointed as a sales representative for any home warranty association or authorized insurer in Florida.

OIR is ordering iDeal and First Premier to cease and desist immediately under threat of administrative penalty.

In Florida, an unlicensed or unauthorized insurance entity refers to any person or business that engages in the business of insurance without first obtaining the necessary licensure or authorization from OIR. This includes selling, soliciting, negotiating, or advertising insurance products or insurance-related coverages-such as service contracts, extended warranties, or health benefit plans. OIR actively investigates reports of unlicensed activity. To view OIR's consumer website and review recent unlicensed activity gathered by OIR, click here.

To view the complaint against iDeal Group, click here.

To view the complaint against First Premier Home Warranty Corp., click here.

To search for licensed insurers and entities, visit OIR's active company database here.