Texas Agents Can Now Renew Licenses Online

Texas’ approximately 200,000 insurance agents now can save time and trouble by renewing their licenses over the Internet.

The Texas Department of Insurance began late last year providing online renewal of agent licenses after two months of testing. The move is part of the Portal Project, a legislatively mandated initiative to bring the benefits of electronic commerce to state agency customers. TDI volunteered to participate in the project.

“Electronic commerce is the wave of the future for state licensing agencies. It offers huge benefits in convenience for our licensees and potential labor cost savings for taxpayers. The Texas Department of Insurance is pleased, therefore, to be among the first state agencies offering direct service online to our licensees,” said Insurance Commissioner Jose Montemayor.

Texas law requires insurance agents to renew their licenses every two years. Agents may renew online if they have received their renewal notices and are within 90 days of their license expiration dates. When renewing online, agents pay their normal renewal fee (usually $48), plus a $3 convenience charge, by credit card. Agents also may renew by mailing checks and paper forms to TDI, as in the past.

The state Comptroller of Public Accounts processes the agents’ credit card payments and transmits the data to TDI electronically. The agents will be billed by their credit card companies.

Credit card transactions are encrypted so that no one but the agent and his or her credit card company has access to the agent’s credit card number.

Agents renewing online receive documentation to confirm their transactions. They should receive their paper licenses within five to seven days—compared to the 15-20 days it takes to receive a new license after mailing in a check and a paper renewal application.

TDI’s online services for its customers also include insurance rate guides, company profiles, agent license verification and the ability to file consumer complaints electronically. These and other services are available at the department’s website, www.tdi.state.tx.us.