Pursuant to Ch 48.151(1), FS; all authorized insurers (insurance companies) registered to do business in the state of Florida are required to designate the Chief Financial Officer of Florida as their Statutory Registered Agent for Service of Process.
When serving Insurance Companies, the State of Florida CFO will only be responsible for Summons & Complaints or Subpoenas and no other pleadings following initial service.
KNOW THE RULES.
As a statutory Registered Agent for service of process to insurance companies, the CFO's office will only serve the initial process (Summons and Complaint or Subpoena). They are not responsible for transmittal of any pre-suit notices or correspondence, nor any subsequent filings, pleadings, and documents following the initial service, unless ordered by the Court pursuant to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.080. The Notice of Service also provides this disclaimer. Documents received after the initial service will not be forwarded to the insurers nor returned to the sender.
The Florida office of the CFO now scans all documents received for service and saves the electronic image as their copy for historical records. This practice eliminates the need for you to submit two copies of the complaint when attempting to serve an insurance company. They still need for you to provide the original and one true copy of the summons, one copy of the complaint and the $15 check for the service fee.
If you will include your email address on the summons or complaint, we will be able to notify you more efficiently should there be a problem or delay regarding your service.
Otherwise, make certain that the attorney’s name & address are correct and clearly visible on the documents. The proof of service will be returned to the attorney’s name and address as printed on the summons or subpoena. You may wish to include a self-addressed stamped envelope to expedite return of
TO RECAP:
When serving Insurance Companies you must provide the following paper documents to the Florida CFO:
Original Summons bearing the Case # and court validation AND one true copy.
1 copy of every piece of paper to be served (Complaint, exhibits, discovery, etc.) pursuant to section 48.151(1), F.S.
A $15.00 check or money order payable to “Department of Financial Services” or “Chief Financial Officer”, pursuant to Ch. 624.502, FS.
The command line of the summons and the mailing label should read:
TO: Name of Insurance Company
c/o Florida Chief Financial Officer as RA
200 East Gaines Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-4201
or
TO: Name of Insurance Company
c/o Florida Chief Financial Officer as RA
Service of Process Section
PO Box 6200
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6200
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Please review all documents to determine the correct legal name of the underwriting company. This should appear on the declaration page of the insurance policy. For example, there are several “State Farm” companies registered in Florida, but State Farm and State Farm Insurance Company or Companies are not legal names for any insurers in Florida and thus cannot be served through our agency. We are not required to act as registered agent for insurance agencies or insurance groups. If you are unsure as to the correct name, you may check with the Secretary of State-Division of Corporations at their website www.sunbiz.org.
We welcome a call for assistance at (850)413-4200 or check this website for an insurer's name: http://myfloridacfo.comto
SERVICE OF PROCESS • DIVISION OF LEGAL SERVICE
200 EAST GAINES ST. • TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-0307 • 850-413-4200 • TELECOPIER 850-922-2544
