Public adjusters and all property insurance adjusters working in Florida need to take notice. Failure to comply with the estimating standards laid out in Rule 69BER24-4, now permanently incorporated into Rule 69B-220.201, may result in serious ethical violations. These violations could put your license at risk.

A public adjuster recently asked me whether it was necessary to submit a variation report from Xactimate during a Citizens large loss claim. The request came under the authority of this rule. The answer is “yes.” This requirement is not optional and is no longer limited to emergency circumstances.

What Does the Rule Require?

The regulation began as Emergency Rule 69BER24-4. It has now been formally adopted into Florida’s ethical code for all adjusters. When preparing and submitting a written estimate of loss, adjusters must follow these key requirements:

  1. Use an electronic estimating program to prepare all estimates. This program must provide unit-cost pricing that reflects current market conditions and is updated monthly.
  2. If the software’s default estimate is changed in any way, the adjuster must provide a variation report or other documentation that explains the changes.
  3. Every modification must be justified with supporting market data. This documentation must be detailed enough for a reviewer to understand and verify the necessity and accuracy of each change.
  4. Revised estimates must clearly show what has changed. They must explain why the changes were made and identify the person responsible for making them.
  5. All versions of the estimate, including original and revised versions, must be retained as required by law.

This Is Not Just an Emergency Rule Anymore

Many adjusters may believe this rule was temporary and only applied during an emergency. That is no longer the case. The requirements have now been permanently integrated into Florida’s ethical standards under Rule 69B-220.201. They are in full effect and apply to all adjusters and apprentices.

Why This Matters: Your License Is On the Line

Violating these requirements is not a minor error. It is considered a breach of ethical duty. Florida’s Department of Financial Services expects adjusters to protect the public trust and act with honesty and transparency. Adjusters who fail to comply with the rule could face administrative complaints, investigations, license suspension or revocation, and civil penalties.

Public adjusters and apprentices should understand that omitting a variation report or making undocumented changes to an estimate could lead to disciplinary action. This includes possible loss of licensure. It is not worth the risk. This rule applies to insurance company adjusters and independent adjusters as well.

Respect the Rule, Protect Your Career

This rule is not about bureaucracy. It is about professional integrity. Florida regulators are setting higher expectations for transparency and accuracy in the estimating process. Every adjuster must meet these expectations.

If your current workflow includes undocumented estimate changes or informal adjustments, now is the time to make changes. Review your practices. Train your team. Make sure every estimate you submit can withstand scrutiny.

Your license and your reputation depend on it.

Thought For The Day 

“When you’re screwing up and nobody says anything to you anymore, that means they’ve given up.”
—Randy Pausch