Key Takeaways
- North Carolina P&C producers must act with honesty and good faith toward clients and insurers
- Producers must disclose material information about policies, including exclusions and limitations
- Premium handling must follow strict procedures including prompt remittance to insurers
- Records must be maintained for at least 3 years
- North Carolina CE includes mandatory 3 hours of ethics training
Last updated: January 2026
Producer Conduct and Responsibilities
North Carolina P&C insurance producers have legal and ethical obligations that govern their professional conduct.
Fiduciary Duties
North Carolina producers owe duties to their clients and insurers:
Key Duties
| Duty | Description |
|---|---|
| Honesty | Act honestly in all dealings |
| Good Faith | Fair dealing with all parties |
| Disclosure | Reveal material information about policies |
| Competence | Maintain professional knowledge |
| Care | Exercise reasonable care in placing coverage |
Agent Responsibilities
- Represent insurer's interests as their agent
- Act within scope of authority
- Transmit information accurately
- Collect and remit premiums properly
Disclosure Requirements
North Carolina P&C producers must disclose:
Required Disclosures
- Coverage limits, deductibles, and premiums
- Policy exclusions and limitations
- Material terms and conditions
- Surplus lines status (if applicable)
- Compensation arrangements (if requested)
- Conflicts of interest
- Hurricane and windstorm deductibles
When Disclosure Required
- At time of sale or recommendation
- When material facts change
- When replacing existing coverage
- When client asks specific questions
- At renewal if coverage changes
Premium Handling
Producers must handle premiums properly:
Requirements
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Collection | Only collect authorized amounts |
| Deposit | Promptly to insurer or trust account |
| Commingling | Prohibited with personal funds |
| Conversion | Using premiums for personal use prohibited |
| Records | Detailed records required |
| Remittance | Per agreement with insurer |
Trust Accounts
If holding premiums:
- Must be in separate trust account
- Cannot mix with personal or business funds
- Detailed records required
- Subject to NCDOI examination
Record Keeping
North Carolina requires producers to maintain records:
Required Records
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Applications | 3 years |
| Policy documents | 3 years |
| Client correspondence | 3 years |
| Premium records | 3 years |
| Claims records | 3 years |
Access to Records
- NCDOI can examine during investigations
- Must provide upon request
- Failure to maintain is a violation
Ethics Requirements
Continuing Education
North Carolina requires ethics training:
- 3 hours of ethics each 2-year renewal period
- Part of 24-hour CE requirement
- Must be NCDOI-approved course
- Must cover insurance-specific ethics
Professional Standards
- Treat all clients fairly
- Maintain professional competence
- Avoid conflicts of interest
- Protect client confidentiality
- Report illegal or unethical conduct
Company Appointments
Appointment Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Timing | Before selling insurer's products |
| Process | Insurer appoints producer with NCDOI |
| Duration | Until terminated |
| Termination | Must be reported to NCDOI |
Termination Reporting
When an insurer terminates a producer:
- Must report to NCDOI within 30 days
- Must state whether "for cause"
- "For cause" terminations trigger NCDOI review
Test Your Knowledge
How long must North Carolina P&C insurance producers retain client records?
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Test Your Knowledge
How many hours of ethics CE does North Carolina require per renewal period?
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