Only licensed and bonded public insurance adjusters and attorneys are permitted to solicit and represent policy holders in the claim process. Navigating an insurance claim is such a foreign experience for many homeowners and business owners. Insured Property Owners are often victims who unknowingly trust people who say they can help handle your claim when they are not trained, licensed, bonded or appointed to do so. In many states (like Florida), the licensure of a public insurance adjuster can be found on the Department of Financial Service's (DFS) website. Florida public adjusters licenses can be checked here.

​

§626.854 (1) A “public adjuster” is any person, except a duly licensed attorney at law as exempted under
s.626.860, who, for money, commission, or any other
thing of value, directly or indirectly, prepares, completes, or files an insurance claim for an insured or third-party claimant or who, for money, commission, or any other thing of value, acts on behalf of, or aids an insured or third-party claimant in negotiating for or effecting the settlement of a , claim or claims for loss or damage covered by an insurance contract or who advertises for employment as an adjuster of such claims. The term also includes any person who, for money, commission, or any other thing of value, directly or indirectly solicits, investigates, or adjusts such claims on behalf of a public adjuster, an insured, or a third-party claimant.​

 

Unfortunately it is far too common to find General Contractors, Roofers, Plumbers, Mold Remediators, Water Dry-Out Contractors, Restoration Companies, Independent Adjusters (IA’s), Appraisers, “Claim Consultants” or “Claim Experts” (Unlicensed) who hold themselves out to "help" policyholders through the claims process. There are many Contractors who “handle” loss damages in a conflicting manner towards their own financial interests, not yours. Similarly, Independent adjusters (IA's) are licensed to work on behalf of insurance companies and represent an insurance company financial interests, not yours. In fact, it is considered a conflict of interest and, as such, is forbidden in the Florida Statutes and Administrative Code for any person or entity to adjust/handle a loss claim on behalf of a policyholder, except a licensed Public Adjuster or licensed attorney at law as exempted under §626.860. Additionally, Insurance Company Adjusters (aka “Field Adjusters”, “Desk Adjusters” or “Examiners”), must also be licensed and appointed to work for the insurance company.

Investigators at the Florida Department of Investigative & Forensic Services (DIFS), Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) and/or Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulations (DBPR) process and prosecute cases of the Unlicensed Activity when reported. The Florida Association of Public Adjusters (FAPIA) works with the DIFS/DFS/DBPR and other governmental agencies to investigate and report confirmed cases of Unlicensed Activity. 

​"….ANY PERSON WHO ACTS AS A RESIDENT OR NONRESIDENT PUBLIC ADJUSTER OR HOLDS HIMSELF OR HERSELF OUT TO BE A PUBLIC ADJUSTER TO ADJUST CLAIMS IN THIS STATE, WITHOUT BEING LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT AS A PUBLIC ADJUSTER AND APPOINTED AS A PUBLIC ADJUSTER, COMMITS A FELONY OF THE THIRD DEGREE, PUNISHABLE AS PROVIDED IN S. 775.082, S. 775.083, OR S. 775.084. EACH ACT IN VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION CONSTITUTES A SEPARATE OFFENSE.626.8738, F.S."