Florida Insurance Agent Sentenced for Premium Theft and Civil Misconduct

Reid J. McDaniel, a former insurance agent from North Fort Myers, Florida, has begun serving a 15-month prison sentence after pleading no contest to stealing over $22,000 in insurance premiums from a local automotive business. McDaniel, who previously owned McDaniel Insurance Solutions, reportedly told clients their coverage was active, even after policies were canceled due to non-payment. Although he has since repaid the stolen premiums, questions remain about how the funds were recovered, especially since he had been declared indigent earlier this year.

In addition to the criminal case, McDaniel has faced significant civil litigation. A Lee County court awarded nearly $200,000 to a policyholder whose mobile home was destroyed during Hurricane Ian after McDaniel failed to secure insurance coverage despite collecting her premium. Another lawsuit, later dismissed, accused him of sexual misconduct toward an employee in 2022.

McDaniel’s insurance license has been indefinitely suspended by Florida regulators, and most of his insurer appointments have since expired. His fall from grace highlights the ongoing need for oversight in the producer community and the importance of clients verifying coverage directly with carriers.

With his release set for late 2026, industry observers note it’s unlikely McDaniel will re-enter the insurance sector. For the affected businesses and individuals, his sentencing brings some measure of closure—though the damage done by the lapses in coverage remains a cautionary tale.