NU Online News Service, Feb.17, 3:12 a.m. EST

Florida authorities said they had issued cease and desist orders to three firms, including their subsidiaries, for the unauthorized sale of warranty products and service agreements for homes and autos.

Brittany Benner, a spokeswoman for the Office of Insurance Regulation, said the OIR had fielded numerous complaints; however, not all of them were from Florida consumers. There is, she said, no way to tell exactly how many policyholders bought policies and services from these companies and their respective affiliates.

The cease and desist orders were announced by Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty for National Home Protection, National Home Warranty and National Automotive Services.

Telephone listings for the firms were not immediately available.

OIR said its investigators determined National Home Protection and National Home Warranty conducted home and service warranty transactions in Florida without a license. Investigators also found National Automotive Services Inc. and its subsidiaries (Warranty Financial Inc., Warranty Financial O.R.G. Inc., Warranty U.S.A. and Warranty Services) sold motor vehicle service agreements without a license.

The firms are required to submit letters of certification, within 30 days, stating their company no longer provides services in Florida. The orders also require that the companies honor and fully service all valid claims and fulfill their contractual obligations.

Special Reports /

Fla. Halts 3 Unlicensed Warranty Firms From Doing Business

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