For Immediate Release
SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE TO BEGIN PROCESSING INDIVIDUAL APPLICATIONS FOR LICENSURE AND COMPANY APPOINTMENTS ON-LINE
Columbia, SC- The South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI) announced today that effective October 21, 2003, it will begin offering on-line processing services to regulated entities and individuals. Individuals applying for licensure will be able to complete an application on-line through SCDOI Connect at www.doi.sc.gov for an insurance producer, limited lines producer, special producer, broker, adjuster, physical damage appraiser and public adjuster license and pay the licensing fee by electronic check. Non-resident producer licensing applications will be available to the industry on October 27, 2003 through NIPR Gateway at www.licenseregistry.com. On-line application for an agency license will be available at a later date.
Licensed individuals, agencies and insurers will be able to update their demographic records via SCDOI Connect at any hour of the day. Demographic records include, but are not limited to, address, telephone number and e-mail address.
In addition, insurance companies will be able to create and cancel appointments through NIPR Gateway. Insurance companies will also be able to renew producer appointments (Producer Renewals) and pay the appointment fees by electronic check in September of even numbered years via SCDOI Connect.
Director of Insurance, Ernst N. Csiszar, stated, "The on-line license application process and the ability to update demographic records on file with the Department offers improved services to all of the Department's stakeholders. This new process will significantly reduce the time required to process a license application and allow licensees the opportunity to update their records 24 hours a day."
If there are any questions regarding the on-line processing, please contact the following areas of the South Carolina Department of Insurance or NIPR Gateway for assistance:
The Department of Insurance's office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday, excluding State Holidays.