Good Friday afternoon usually finds me taking time off and trying to find some time to contemplate how things are going in my life. However, the Almighty had a special event for me last Friday afternoon—David Young’s exceptional funeral service.
Order Overrules Louisiana Directive Outlawing Anti Public Adjuster Policy Language
One of the interesting aspects of my professional life is receiving information from readers of this blog, who alert me to new matters and changes to old matters. The texts, emails, and phone calls I receive are from folks who work with policyholders, insurers, and even capable insurance defense attorneys whom we fight in courtrooms throughout the country. I appreciate this and try to share much of this with you.
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New Public Adjuster Bill in Florida
A new legislative bill filed in Florida will have a significant impact on the Florida public adjusting profession if it becomes law. The proposed law enlarges the amount of time a policyholder can cancel a public adjuster contract, provides for a cancellation of a public adjuster contract if estimates of damage are not provided to the insurer within 45 days, requires notice to the insurer within three days rather than 30 days if a public adjuster is retained, and provides that the fee percentage amount when a client hires a public adjuster after an insurer’s first offer “shall” be 10 percent of the new amount collected.
Anti-Public Adjuster Endorsements—NAPIA Takes a Leadership Stance Against the Insurance Industry Trying to Eliminate Public Adjusting
Public adjusters have been calling us asking what can be done about some insurance companies placing endorsements into policies that prohibit policyholders from hiring public adjusters and preventing public adjusters from being involved with the policyholder’s claims. The National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) has taken the lead in fighting this by sending letters to all state attorney generals and actively raising the issue with the insurance departments. NAPIA’s general counsel, Brian Goodman, and I have spoken about this issue in the past because the clauses appear to breach licensing laws and raise violations of state and federal antitrust laws.
Are Texas Public Adjuster Contracts in Jeopardy? Don’t Miss the Panel Discussion at TAPIA’s Spring Conference!
They say you should save the best for last. So, Steve Badger, Rene Sigman, and yours truly are making the last presentation at the Texas Association of Public Insurance Adjusters Spring Conference on March 2 in Austin, Texas. Given our preparation, the title seems appropriate, Three for One & One for All! A Lively Discussion of Hot Topics In Texas Claims & Litigation.
California Association of Public Insurance Adjusters to Hold Legislative Continuing Education Conference Next Week
The California Association of Public Insurance Adjusters will hold a continuing education session followed by legislative day next week. It will fittingly be held in Sacramento, California, so that public adjusters can visit government leaders. Assuming that I finish and do not sink during the Islands Race to San Diego on Merlin this weekend, I will be making a presentation with Amy Bach of United Policyholders next Tuesday, February 27.
Goodman on Kentucky Public Adjuster Licensing Bill
Note: This guest post is by Brian S. Goodman. Brian is a partner at the Baltimore law firm of Goodman & Donohue, LLC. He is also General Counsel to NAPIA.
Like many of you, I read Chip Merlin’s blog post every day in my role as General Counsel to the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (www.napia.com). So it was with great interest that I recently reviewed his post about the proposed new licensing Bill in Kentucky. Chip has asked for my thoughts on this, which I am happy to provide.
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Breaking News—Public Adjuster Legislation Filed In Kentucky
The Kentucky legislature now has new pending legislation regarding public adjusters. There are significant changes to contract requirements and new proposed fee caps.
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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.
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