Fla. Encourages Agents to Use Translated Policy Forms

April 19, 2006

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has issued a formal notice to all insurance companies licensed in Florida, reminding them that the use of approved translated policy forms is acceptable and encouraged.

Florida’s population is growing at record rates and the Hispanic component of that growth is significant. Spanish is spoken in 35 percent of the homes in Florida and recent figures estimate the state’s Hispanic population at over 3.3 million.

“We are reminding companies that it is acceptable to use policy forms translated into Spanish and approved by our office,” Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said. “With so many Floridians speaking Spanish as a primary language or exclusively, it is imperative that they fully understand the provisions of their insurance policy.”

The office will soon add to its website the names and contact information of insurers that currently offer policy forms in Spanish, so consumers can find companies that meet their needs.

Topics Florida Agencies

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Latest Comments

  • April 20, 2006 at 12:49 pm
    JR says:
    Does anyone think that spanish speaking people are any more likely to read a policy. We don\'t seem to get english speakers to read it. I am beginnng to wonder why we mail the... read more
  • April 20, 2006 at 11:36 am
    Charles says:
    Reply to Florida Native. I quote Excelior the national newspaper of Mexico. \"The American Southwest seems to be slowly returning to the jurisdiction of Mexico without firing ... read more
  • April 20, 2006 at 10:41 am
    Florida Actuary says:
    What happens in court when the english form is unambiguous but the spanish form, depending upon the dialect, is? In any event, the OIR shouldn\'t be listing the insurers anywh... read more

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