Unauthorized Practice of Law

Subscribe to Unauthorized Practice of Law

There are differing opinions circulating right now about whether Texas public insurance adjusters can write notice letters under Chapter 542A of the Texas Insurance Code. It is important to emphasize the difference between whether they can and whether they should. There is limited case law supporting that Texas public insurance adjusters can write these notice letters (which is a discussion for another time).1 However, just because someone can do something does not mean they should. To understand why public adjusters should not write 542A notice letters, we will walk through what the “practice of law” in Texas means, who can practice law in Texas, what Chapter 542A requires in the notice letter, and why public adjusters should not write them.
Continue Reading Chapter 542A Notice Letters: Why Texas Public Adjusters Should Not Write Them

Americans hate to be told that we cannot do something. I think it is just in our DNA. Since the time we are little, we are taught to “never let somebody tell you that you cannot…..” Name the dream you want to accomplish because, in America, you can do it.
Continue Reading Adjusting and The Unauthorized Practice of Law—Thoughts About What Public Adjusters Can Do in Alabama

On Monday, I was writing a cease and desist letter to a young and naïve commercial business development person working for a contractor who was using our firm’s name to promote his business and wrongfully indicating that we were part of a “team.” Already aggravated, I kept getting interrupting text messages from public adjusters asking whether public adjusters could solicit claims for attorneys.
Continue Reading Public Adjusters and Those Directly Soliciting Insurance Claims on Behalf of Attorneys Are Committing a Crime and Can Go to Jail Along With the Attorneys

Earl Carr has a story every public adjuster practicing in Louisiana should read. He lives in Louisiana and I met him following Florida’s four 2004 hurricanes. The following year, Katrina devastated Louisiana. Earl was busy and even started a radio show which I once appeared on discussing property insurance claim issues.
Continue Reading Warning! Public Adjusters Thinking of Working in Louisiana Should First Read the Case of Earl Carr

Unauthorized practice of public adjusting issues are going to the Texas Supreme Court. Lon Smith Roofing is not giving up and filed a petition which should be read by those with interests in the property insurance claims industry. I have previously discussed this case in:…
Continue Reading Unauthorized Practice of Public Adjusting Case Petitioned to Texas Supreme Court

I discussed the Lon Smith Roofing class action case against a contractor accused of practicing public adjusting in, Unauthorized Practice of Public Adjusting and the Lon Smith Roofing Case Should Scare Contractors and Roofers with Contingent Contracts. An appellate court reaffirmed the dangers contractors face when negotiating claims and benefits with insurance companies and contracting to do what many consider either the unauthorized practice of law or the unauthorized practice of public adjusting.
Continue Reading Contractors Need to Use Carefully Drafted Contracts and Not Practice Public Adjusting

Joey Childress and yours truly will present a seminar of water damage claims at the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters Convention in San Antonio next week. I discussed how public adjusters can register and even get a discount for attending in Are You a Public Adjuster Who Wants to Be Better at Helping Policyholders and Make More Money Doing So? …
Continue Reading NAPIA Annual Meeting in San Antonio Will Discuss Water Damage Claim and Unauthorized Practice of Public Adjusting

When pursuing a claim with your insurer you should make sure the person you choose to assist you has the proper license to represent you. For property owners looking for help to file a claim it can be difficult to know exactly who has the right to speak to the insurance company on their behalf. It’s understood that an attorney can represent you in any aspect of your claim but licensed public adjusters are able to assist prior to a denial. In Texas, you can’t just have any one representing your interests to the insurance company. You need a licensed attorney or licensed insurance adjuster to have it done the right way. Thankfully, Texas courts have made rulings and statutes have been enacted to assist the public with making sure they are represented and their rights are protected.…

Continue Reading Do People Need a License to Represent Me on My Insurance Claim?