Important Notices

**IMPORTANT NOTICE VERMONT APPOINTMENT RENEWALS**

The notice to Insurers regarding the upcoming appointment renewals for Vermont was sent out on April 1, 2013. Producer Appointments are renewed automatically on June 1, 2013. On June 2, 2013, the Department will print and send to each insurer a list of producers whose appointment has been renewed with that insurer. An invoice will accompany this list, and the invoice must be returned with payment no later than June 28, 2013. There will be no opportunity to terminate or otherwise non-renew producer appointments based on this list since the appointments will have already been renewed as of June 1, 2013. Accordingly, it is essential for insurers to manage producer appointment terminations prior to the appointment renewal date of June 1, 2013. In order to avoid renewing an appointment, the department must receive an appointment termination no later than May 28, 2013 electronically via SIRCON or NIPR. The Department requires that you submit terminations electronically.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR PRODUCERS WHO MISSED THE MARCH 31, 2013 LICENSE RENEWAL DEADLINE: Vermont Producer licenses renewed on March 31, 2013. Accordingly, the license of a Producer who did not renew as of March 31, 2013 has now lapsed. Vermont does not have a “grace period” for a license renewal, and a license cannot be “reactivated”. Producers, whose license has lapsed, must apply for a new license in order to sell, solicit or negotiate insurance in Vermont. In order to apply for a license, follow the instructions listed under How to Apply for a License.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: DEPARTMENT ISSUES BULLETIN #172 STAFF ADJUSTERS

November 15, 2012, the Department has received a number of inquiries from insurers asking if Vermont law provides an exception to the adjuster licensing requirement if the individual adjusting is a staff adjuster of the insurer. The answer is NO, there is NO exception for the adjuster licensing requirement, unless the insurer is a Vermont Domestic fire or casualty company. See Title 8 V.S.A. § 4791(3). Insurers should review thier licensing protocols to ensure their adjusters handling Vermont claims are properly licensed. For information about how to obtain a license, go to www.vermontinsuranceagent.info

IMPORTANT NOTICE: COMPANY APPOINTMENTS

Effective July 1, 2012, the Department will only accept appointment and appointment termination requests electronically. An insurance company will need to either establish a relationship with NIPR directly at http://www.nipr.com (this will require programming on the part of the insurance company) or go to SIRCON(Vertafore) who is also the Department’s software provider at http://www.vertafore.com/sircon Please Note: any paper requests submitted after July 1, 2012, will not be processed and will not be returned. Companies with questions should contact Sandra Fraser, Licensing Supervisor at Sandra.Fraser@state.vt.us

IMPORTANT NOTICE: NEW NAIC UNIFORM APPLICATION REQUIRED

Effective July 1, 2012,   the Department will only accept the newest version of the NAIC Uniform Application for paper submission for ALL license types. The newest version is a 5 page application and has 2011 National Association of Insurance Commissioners at the bottom of the application. All links to the application on our website are to the newest version of the application.   

IMPORTANT NOTICE: MANDATORY ELECTRONIC LICENSING FOR PRODUCERS AND SURPLUS LINES BROKERS

Effective September 1, 2012, all Non Resident Producer, Business Entity and Surplus Lines Broker license applications must be submitted electronically to the Department. This requirement includes the submission of supporting background documentation during the electronic application submission. An applicant may request a hardship exception to the submission of an electronic application. To request a hardship exception, you must submit the reason for the hardship by faxing a statement to 802-828-1633.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: REPORTING OF ACTIONS (ROA)

Effective September 1, 2012, ALL Non Resident licensees (Excluding Non-Resident Adjusters with a Designated Home State) must report administrative, criminal and applicable civil actions electronically. New applications or Renewal applications submitted through SIRCON or NIPR who have an affirmative answer to a background question will be prompted to attach their backup documentation during the application process. ROA's done outside the application or renewal process, must be reported using NIPR's Attachments Warehouse at http://www.nipr.com A licensee may request a hardship exception to the electronic reporting requirement. To request a hardship exception, you must submit the reason for the hardship by faxing a statement to 802-828-1633.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: PRINTING AND MAILING OF NON RESIDENT LICENSES

Effective September 1, 2012 The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation (DFR) will no longer be sending out an initial paper license or renewal license to Non Resident licensees. NOTE: The Department does NOT require a licensee to possess a paper copy of their license.

A licensee can confirm that their license has been renewed or issued, by checking their License Status Here you can print a copy of your license i nformation for your records at no cost.