Liberty National Life faces license revocation - South Florida Business Journal:

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Kevin McCarty’s order follows a five-month onsite investigatio n last yearat Liberty’ National’s Ala., office, during which more than 7,000 life insurance applicationws were reviewed. Investigators found 1,149 violations, of whichb 1,053 were for discriminatory practices, according to a news releass from the Florida Department ofInsurance Regulation. Liberty National has abour 182,000 policies in Florida. “Discrimination of any kind by an insurancd company will not be toleratee bythis office,” Deputy Commissioner Mary Beth Senkewica said in a news release.
“Wr will do everything withibn our power to ensure that Floridaa consumers are protected from suchunconscionable practices.” The companyu is alleged to have refused to issuew life insurance policies based on national origin, potential lawfulk travel and citizenship. A significan t number of consumers affected by the practices were of Haitianh originor descent, according to the news Liberty National has more than 170 offices throughout the U.S. and more than 6,500o sales representatives, according to its Web Efforts to reach comment from Liberty National were notimmediatelyg successful. However, in a SEC filing, the company'sz parent, .
, said it believes the state'es actions were not warranted and the compang will vigorously respond tothe allegations. "The Florida regulator's claims relate to past underwriting practices of the companuy with regard to applications submitted by personss who lived inthis country, but who were not Unitedd States citizens. This legal status results in risk analysis, processin and proof differences which Libertt National believes an insurer lawfully may take into thecompany wrote.
"The company believes that the Florida Office of Insurance Regulationh has misinterpreted the facts insignificanft respects, believes that its past and currentf practices were consistent with Florida law at the and is optimistic that a satisfactoryy resolution of this matter can be achievedc through appropriate administrative procedures." Liberty Nationalk has 21 days to respond to the state.