Florida orders two unlicensed warranty sellers to stop

Florida Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky ordered iDeal Group, doing business as iDeal Auto, and First Premier Home Warranty Corp. to cease operations, Insurance Journal reports. Two market conduct exams found the companies were not properly licensed in Florida. First Premier issued about 207 home warranty contracts in the state from 2023 through 2026.

A home warranty or vehicle service contract is not insurance. It is a repair contract, and it only helps if the company behind it is licensed and still paying claims. Before you buy one, look the company up with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. If you already hold one of these contracts, contact the state regulator about your options.

Your homeowners and auto policies protect you from sudden losses like fire, wind, theft, and collisions. If you are unsure what a warranty adds on top of that, an independent agent can walk through your coverage with you.