Who must the commissioner first contact in order to suspend a license?

The correct choice in this context is that the commissioner must first contact the agent to initiate a suspension of a license. This is because the agent is the individual directly responsible for maintaining compliance with licensing regulations and ensuring their conduct aligns with the standards imposed by the regulatory body. The agent’s actions or inactions are often the reason for potential disciplinary measures, making it crucial for the commissioner to address the matter with them directly.

Engaging with the agent allows for a discussion about the specific reasons leading to the consideration of suspension, ensuring that the agent has an opportunity to respond to concerns before any formal action is taken. This process is part of maintaining regulatory fairness and due process, which is important in insurance practice. The involvement of the insurer, policyholder, or underwriter in this initial contact is less direct regarding regulatory compliance, as their roles do not typically involve managing licensing matters; instead, they have specific responsibilities within the framework of insurance transactions.