Terms Used In Florida Statutes 634.414

  • association: means any person, other than an authorized insurer, issuing service warranties. See Florida Statutes 634.401
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
  • Premium: means the total amount paid by the consumer, including any charges designated as assessments or fees for membership, policy, survey, inspection, finance, service, or other charges by the association. See Florida Statutes 634.401
  • Sales representative: means any person, retail store, corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship utilized by an insurer or service warranty association for the purpose of selling or issuing service warranties. See Florida Statutes 634.401
  • Service warranty: means any warranty, guaranty, extended warranty or extended guaranty, maintenance service contract equal to or greater than 1 year in length or which does not meet the exemption in paragraph (a), 1contract agreement, or other written promise for a specific duration to perform the repair, replacement, or maintenance of a consumer product, or for indemnification for repair, replacement, or maintenance, for operational or structural failure due to a defect in materials or workmanship, normal wear and tear, power surge, or accidental damage from handling in return for the payment of a segregated charge by the consumer; however:
    (a) Maintenance service contracts written for less than 1 year which do not contain provisions for indemnification and which do not provide a discount to the consumer for any combination of parts and labor in excess of 20 percent during the effective period of such contract, motor vehicle service agreements, transactions exempt under…. See Florida Statutes 634.401
  • writing: includes handwriting, printing, typewriting, and all other methods and means of forming letters and characters upon paper, stone, wood, or other materials. See Florida Statutes 1.01

(1) Each service warranty contract shall contain a cancellation provision. If the contract is canceled by the warranty holder, return of premium shall be based upon no less than 90 percent of unearned pro rata premium less any claims that have been paid or less the cost of repairs made on behalf of the warranty holder. If the contract is canceled by the association, return of premium shall be based upon 100 percent of unearned pro rata premium, less any claims paid or the cost of repairs made on behalf of the warranty holder. Service warranty associations may effectuate refunds through the issuing sales representative.
(2) Refunds owed pursuant to this section may be made by cash, check, store credit, gift card, or other similar means. Upon request of the service warranty holder, the refund shall be remitted by check.
(3) By July 1, 2011, each service warranty contract sold in this state must be accompanied by a written disclosure to the consumer that the rate charged for the contract is not subject to regulation by the office. A service warranty association may comply with this requirement by including such disclosure in its service warranty contract form or in a separate written notice provided to the consumer at the time of sale.
(4) Each service warranty contract must be mailed, delivered, or electronically transmitted to the warranty holder within 45 days after the date of purchase. Electronic transmission of a service warranty contract constitutes delivery to the warranty holder. The electronic transmission must notify the warranty holder of his or her right to receive the contract via United States mail rather than electronic transmission. If the warranty holder communicates to the service warranty company electronically or in writing that he or she does not agree to receipt by electronic transmission, a paper copy of the contract shall be provided to the warranty holder.
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