Florida Surplus Lines Insurer Approval Process
Pursuant to Section 626.918(2), Florida Statutes, eligibility of an insurer to operate in the state of Florida must be requested in
writing by the Florida Surplus Lines Service Office (FSLSO).
The FSLSO reviews all documentation to ensure that the application for eligibility is complete. If discrepancies are discovered,
the FSLSO will request new or updated documents or information.
Once the FSLSO determines the application contains all required completed forms and documentation, a letter requesting eligibility
on behalf of the insurer will be prepared and sent to the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR). A copy of that same letter will then
be mailed back to the representative of the insurer who is handling the application process along with the original application.
The insurer representative will then need to upload the entire application to the OIR’s website through “iApply” by
visiting: https://apps.fldfs.com/wecaa/SignOn.aspx.
For an overview of the “iApply” process, please visit
http://www.floir.com/pdf/IApply.pdf.
After the application package is deemed complete as determined by the OIR, the clock starts allotting 90 days for the OIR to
approve or deny the insurer’s eligibility to write surplus lines insurance in Florida (Section 120.60, Florida Statutes).