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CA Department of Insurance
CA Department of Insurance
CA Department of Insurance

How Can I Apply for a Limited Lines Travel Insurance Agent License?

License Filing Requirements

Written Application
The applicant is required to complete an application. There is one type of application form, Business Entity License Application, form LIC 441-11 which must be submitted.

Special Instructions Regarding Question 17 - Section 1754(a)(3) of the California Insurance Code states, in part, that the limited lines travel insurance agent and its designated responsible employee shall hold property and casualty and/or life-only and accident/health agent licenses based upon the types of insurance transacted by the licensee. From a practical standpoint, all of these license types will be needed by both the licensed business entity and its designated responsible employee, as it is expected that the policies offered for sale by all limited lines travel insurance agents will include property, casualty, life and health provisions.

Insurer Notice of Appointment
The limited lines travel insurance agent must be appointed by an authorized insurer. An officer or managing agent of the insurer must sign a Notice of Appointment, Limited Lines Travel Insurance Agent, form LIC TA 1 certifying that the named applicant is trustworthy and competent to act as its limited lines travel insurance agent and that the insurer will appoint the applicant to act as its agent if the limited lines travel insurance agent license applied for is issued by the commissioner. (Section 1755(a)(2) of the California Insurance Code)

Training Requirement
All limited lines travel insurance agents licensed pursuant to this article shall provide training as stated in the Required Training Elements - Limited Lines Travel Insurance Agent, form LIC TA 3, to all employees of its travel retailers who will be transacting travel insurance under its license. "Transact" as defined for purposes of the limited lines travel insurance agent license means, the following activities when engaged in by a travel retailer:

(1) Offering and disseminating information to a prospective or current policyholder on behalf of a limited lines travel insurance agent, including brochures, buyer guides, descriptions of coverage and price;
(2) Referring specific questions regarding coverage features and benefits from a prospective or current policyholder to a limited lines travel insurance agent;
(3) Disseminating and processing applications for coverage, coverage selection forms or other similar forms in response to a request from a prospective or current policyholder;
(4) Collecting premiums from a prospective or current policyholder on behalf of a limited lines travel insurance agent; and finally,
(5) Receiving and recording information from a policyholder to share with a limited lines travel insurance agent.

Training materials, at a minimum, should contain instruction on the types of insurance offered, ethical sales practices and disclosures to prospective insurance customers.  Training should be provided whenever there is a material change that requires a modification to the training materials, but in no event less frequently than every three years. (Section 1754(a)(6) of the California Insurance Code)

Certification Requirements
The limited lines travel insurance agent, at the time of licensure, and thereafter, must maintain a register noting each travel retailer that transacts travel insurance on the agent's behalf. At the time of licensure, the names of all of the travel retailers who will be transacting travel insurance under the limited lines travel insurance agent's license must be recorded on the Initial Certification of Authorized Travel Retailers, form LIC TA 2.The initial certification must be submitted to the California Department of Insurance with the initial license application.

In addition, one year after the initial licensure date and each year on that date in subsequent years, the limited lines travel insurance agent shall update the list of certified travel retailers using the Annual Certification of Authorized Travel Retailers form LIC TA 4.The limited lines travel insurance agent shall update and maintain the annual certification for review and inspection upon request by the California Department of Insurance.

These forms include the name and contact information of the travel retailer and an officer or person who directs or controls the travel retailer's operations, and the travel retailer's federal employer identification number (FEIN). (Section 1754(a)(2) of the California Insurance Code)

Title 18 United States Code Section 1033
The licensee shall certify on the initial and annual Certification of Authorized Travel Retailers, forms LIC TA 2 and LIC TA 4 that the registered travel retailer complies with Section 1033 of Title 18 of the United States Code. (Section 1754(a)(2) of the California Insurance Code)

Application and renewal Fee
A business entity application fee of $4,540 must accompany the license application. The license is issued for a two-year period. The renewal fee is $4,540 for a two year license period (Sections 1754(a)(5) and 1755(a)(3) of the California Insurance Code).

Where to File
Mail applicant filings with fees to:

Department of Insurance
P.O. Box 1139
Sacramento CA 95812-1139

All filing fees submitted are not refundable, whether or not the application is acted upon.

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