The Department of Financial Services has revoked the license of Bruce Anthony Fonte, owner of Family Insurance of West Pasco, Fla. DFS is requesting anyone who bought insurance from Fonte or Family Insurance to call its Consumer Helpline to verify coverage.
Fonte, 51, operated Family Insurance of West Pasco located at 6640 Ridge Road, and admitted leaving possibly dozens of home and business owners without insurance during the 2005 hurricane season.
The revocation stems from an investigation conducted by the department’s Division of Agent and Agency Services, Bureau of Investigation, and Legal Services. In January, Fonte was placed under an emergency suspension as allegations began to emerge and is now permanently banned from engaging in the business of insurance in Florida.
Fonte failed to forward premiums to insurance companies to bind coverage for his clients, and instead used the premiums for personal expenses.
“This kind of insurance fraud leads to the overall negative perception of Florida’s insurance professionals,” Tom Gallagher, Florida CFO, who oversees the department, said.
Gallagher is asking anyone who bought insurance from Fonte to call the department’s Helpline at 1-800-342-2762 and also to call their insurance company to confirm coverage.
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