The Kentucky legislature now has new pending legislation regarding public adjusters. There are significant changes to contract requirements and new proposed fee caps.
Continue Reading Breaking News—Public Adjuster Legislation Filed In Kentucky
Georgia Insurance Commissioner Effectively Suspends Most Georgia Public Adjusting Activity—And Then Admits A Mistake Doing So!
Public adjusters need to double-check their licensing paperwork. That was my thought while reading an Order temporarily suspending many public adjusters from any public adjusting activities because the Georgia Department of Insurance claims that its paperwork does not reflect an approved contract. There are a lot of public adjusters named in the Order, including past Presidents of the Georgia Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (GAPIA) and one Past President of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters.
Two Sides To A View And Professional Discourse Regarding Claims Issues
The 2023 Windstorm Conference is underway. At the Past Presidents dinner last night, the topic of civil discussion and respect for opposing views was raised. It is an excellent topic. It is often on my mind while writing posts critical of others.
Continue Reading Two Sides To A View And Professional Discourse Regarding Claims Issues
California Public Adjusters – Update Your Email Signature Block or Risk Getting Fined!
Beginning January 1, 2023, public adjusters in California, and other insurance professionals required to be licensed in the state, must include their license numbers on emails involving “an activity for which a license is required.” This will allow consumers to easily confirm that the representative they are dealing with maintains an active license with the California Department of Insurance.
Are Insured-Appointed Appraisers Without a Public Adjuster License Breaking the Law?
The State of Florida, through its Department of Financial Services, is making a legal argument that those appointed as an appraiser by an insured must fall within the license requirements of a public adjuster. Florida is making this argument in an administrative hearing where they are trying to discipline a public adjuster.1 Buried in that case is the following argument by the Department, which, if successful, will change who may be appointed as appraisers:
Flood Claim Payments Without Public Adjuster or Contractors Named on Checks—Beware!
The National Flood Program is different. It follows its own rules and regulations based on federal law, not state law. Public adjusters and contractors have been writing and calling to say that the flood payment checks do not include their names. Warning—you should expect that they will not include your name and that your payment will come directly to the policyholder. Policyholders and their public adjusters and contractors need to make upfront decisions about how to handle national flood payments between themselves.
Continue Reading Flood Claim Payments Without Public Adjuster or Contractors Named on Checks—Beware!
Are Public Adjusters on the Chopping Block?
A recent article in the Insurance Journal, Florida Bills Offer Broad Attack on Insurance Costs: Legal Fees, AOBs, Reinsurance, certainly raises the question of public adjusters being on the chopping block during the next session of the Florida legislature. The article noted:
Continue Reading Are Public Adjusters on the Chopping Block?
When Filing a Property Claim After a Disaster, It Is Rarely a Bad Idea to Employ a Public Insurance Adjuster
Guess where the title of this post was copied from? The Massachusetts Division of Insurance!
Continue Reading When Filing a Property Claim After a Disaster, It Is Rarely a Bad Idea to Employ a Public Insurance Adjuster
Court Implies That Policyholders Are Better Off With Professional Claims Help
Property insurance coverage cases provide lessons for others to follow. A recent Oklahoma federal court decision1 following a fire loss reflects why my book, PayUP!, suggests that public adjusters should be considered for retention shortly after any significant loss. The language from the opinion that caught my attention was the following:
Continue Reading Court Implies That Policyholders Are Better Off With Professional Claims Help
Public Adjusters May Have One Year To Submit Hurricane Ian Federal Flood Claims Proofs of Loss But Still Have To Make Written Estimates Within 60 Days
A Florida public adjuster called and asked if a Hurricane Ian national flood insurance proof of loss had to be filed within 60 days. That answer is “no,” as explained in Hurricane Ian Flood Proof of Loss Deadline Extended. FEMA extended the deadline for 365 days.
Continue Reading Public Adjusters May Have One Year To Submit Hurricane Ian Federal Flood Claims Proofs of Loss But Still Have To Make Written Estimates Within 60 Days