Florida OIR Files Complaint Against American General

Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty announced that the Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) has filed an administrative complaint against the American General Life Insurance Co. (American General) seeking to suspend or revoke its certificate of authority to write insurance policies in Florida and requiring the company to cease and desist from unfair trade practices as defined in the Freedom to Travel Act, Section 626.9541(1)(dd), Florida Statutes. The complaint specifically cites multiple counts of American General reportedly refusing to provide policies or limiting the amount, extent or kind of life insurance based solely on the individual's future lawful travel plans. The most high-profile incident involved U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, (D-FL), who in 2005 submitted a life insurance application to American General seeking to increase her current life insurance policy. She had reportedly indicated on her application that she had future plans for international travel. While Wasserman Schultz did not address specifics in the application, American General later called and spoke with her husband who indicated that there was a possibility that she may plan future travel to Israel. This is the first time the Office has sought to suspend or revoke a life insurance company's license for violating the Freedom to Travel Act.