Florida Statute 626.561 - Full Text and Legal Analysis

The 2025 Florida Statutes

Title XXXVII
INSURANCE

Chapter 626
INSURANCE FIELD REPRESENTATIVES AND OPERATIONS

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F.S. 626.561

626.561 Reporting and accounting for funds.—

(1) All premiums, return premiums, or other funds belonging to insurers or others received by an agent, insurance agency, customer representative, or adjuster in transactions under the license are trust funds received by the licensee in a fiduciary capacity. An agent or insurance agency shall keep the funds belonging to each insurer for which an agent is not appointed, other than a surplus lines insurer, in a separate account so as to allow the department or office to properly audit such funds. The licensee in the applicable regular course of business shall account for and pay the same to the insurer, insured, or other person entitled thereto.

(2) The licensee shall keep and make available to the department or office books, accounts, and records as will enable the department or office to determine whether such licensee is complying with the provisions of this code. Every licensee shall preserve books, accounts, and records pertaining to a premium payment for at least 3 years after payment; provided, however, the preservation of records by computer or photographic reproductions or records in photographic form shall constitute compliance with this requirement. All other records shall be maintained in accordance with s. 626.748. The 3-year requirement shall not apply to insurance binders when no policy is ultimately issued and no premium is collected.

(3) Any agent, insurance agency, customer representative, or adjuster who, not being lawfully entitled thereto, either temporarily or permanently diverts or misappropriates such funds or any portion thereof or deprives the other person of a benefit therefrom commits the offense specified below:

(a) If the funds diverted or misappropriated are $300 or less, a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(b) If the funds diverted or misappropriated are more than $300, but less than $20,000, a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(c) If the funds diverted or misappropriated are $20,000 or more, but less than $100,000, a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(d) If the funds diverted or misappropriated are $100,000 or more, a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

History.—s. 235, ch. 59-205; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 1, ch. 77-457; s. 3, ch. 81-282; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 202, 217, 807, 810, ch. 82-243; ss. 50, 206, 207, ch. 90-363; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 3, ch. 95-340; s. 232, ch. 97-102; s. 25, ch. 98-199; s. 57, ch. 2002-206; s. 943, ch. 2003-261; s. 18, ch. 2005-257.

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Amendments to 626.561

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 626.561

Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

S626.561 3a - EMBEZZLE - MISAPPLY INSURANCE PREMIUM 300 DOLLARS OR LESS - M: F

S626.561 3b - EMBEZZLE - MISAPPLY INSUR PREMIUM OVER 300 UND 20K DOLS - F: T

S626.561 3c - EMBEZZLE - MISAP INSUR PREMIUM 20K UNDER 100K DOLS - F: S

S626.561 3d - EMBEZZLE - MISAPPLY INSUR PREMIUM 100K DOLS OR MORE - F: F

Cases Citing Statute 626.561

Total Results: 12

Bowling v. Department of Ins.

394 So. 2d 165, 17 A.L.R. 4th 1090, 1981 Fla. App. LEXIS 19509

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 13, 1981 | Docket: 1315581

Cited 32 times | Published

charges gain at least some specificity from Section 626.561, which imposes responsibility on insurance

Intercontinental Life Ins. v. Good (In Re Good)

33 B.R. 163, 1983 Bankr. LEXIS 5979

United States Bankruptcy Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Jun 17, 1983 | Docket: 1762752

Cited 11 times | Published

it is again necessary to consult Florida law. § 626.561 Florida Statutes states in pertinent part: "(1)

Brewer v. INSURANCE COM'R & TREASURER

392 So. 2d 593

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 20, 1981 | Docket: 1678409

Cited 10 times | Published

Insurance Commissioner found a violation of Section 626.561(1) which deals with an agent's reporting and

Central Ins. Underwriters, Inc. v. National Ins. Finance Co.

599 So. 2d 1371, 1992 Fla. App. LEXIS 5352, 1992 WL 104640

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 19, 1992 | Docket: 1483860

Cited 6 times | Published

that Central was liable for conversion under section 626.561, Florida Statutes (1989), which states that

HSSM 7 Ltd. Partnership v. Bilzerian (In Re Bilzerian)

162 B.R. 583, 1993 WL 553964

United States Bankruptcy Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Nov 16, 1993 | Docket: 1065699

Cited 4 times | Published

Statute was enacted in Florida. See Fla.Stat.Ann. § 626.561 (1993). There have also been Statutes governing

Federal Insurance v. Feldman (In Re Feldman)

85 B.R. 163, 1988 Bankr. LEXIS 482

United States Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Florida. | Filed: Apr 8, 1988 | Docket: 1751272

Cited 3 times | Published

fiduciary capacity, investment, or larceny." Florida Statute 626.561 (1987) states in pertinent part: (1) all

Hartnett, Inc. v. DEPARTMENT OF INS. OF STATE

432 So. 2d 155

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 10, 1983 | Docket: 1264863

Cited 1 times | Published

misconduct which violated the provisions of Section 626.561, Florida Statutes (1981) whether those acts

Russell v. State, Department of Insurance

668 So. 2d 276, 1996 Fla. App. LEXIS 1356, 1996 WL 65650

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 16, 1996 | Docket: 64762454

Published

warranted suspension of his insurance license. Section 626.561(1)1 provides criminal penalties for an agent’s

Ganter v. Department of Insurance

620 So. 2d 202, 1993 Fla. App. LEXIS 5886, 1993 WL 177935

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 28, 1993 | Docket: 64697031

Published

insured, or other person entitled thereto. [Section 626.-561(1), Florida Statutes] (b) Willful misrepresentation

Keegan v. Ennia General Insurance Co.

591 So. 2d 300, 1991 Fla. App. LEXIS 12525, 1991 WL 267949

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 17, 1991 | Docket: 64664235

Published

action against appellant for the violation of section 626.561(1), Florida Statutes (1989). That right arose

Copeland Insurance Agency, Inc. v. Home Insurance Co.

502 So. 2d 93, 12 Fla. L. Weekly 497, 1987 Fla. App. LEXIS 6698

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 12, 1987 | Docket: 64624905

Published

and remit the premiums collected for Home. Section 626.561(1), Florida Statutes (1985) provides: All premiums

Drew v. Insurance Commissioner & Treasurer

330 So. 2d 794, 1976 Fla. App. LEXIS 15086

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 30, 1976 | Docket: 64553448

Published

account for funds belonging to insurers or others (F.S. 626.561). *796Count II: In explaining to a customer