Public Insurance Adjuster
Insurance Adjusters are individuals who settle insurance claims between insurance policy holders and the insurance companies who sell insurance. There are three different types of insurance adjusters in Florida. The first insurance adjuster is a “Company Adjuster” who is a direct employee of the insurance company who sold you the insurance policy you make a claim against when a covered peril occurs. The second type os insurance adjuster is called an “Independent Adjuster” who also works on the side of the insurance company but is not a direct employee of said insurance company.
The third type of insurance adjuster in Florida is called a “Public Insurance Adjuster“. This insurance adjuster does not work for an insurance company but instead works only for you, the insurance policy holder. This person uses his experience to assist you in obtaining a fair settlement for your insurance loss. Its obvious that it is only fair that someone “watches out for” you, the insured person. After all you are negotiating with an insurance company’s employee who makes their living settling insurance claims every day of his or her life. Public Insurance Adjusters exist to help insurance policy holders obtain a fair settlement from an insurance company when an insurance claim exists. The law allows you to hire your own public insurance adjuster to settle your insurance claim; even if your insurance company has already made you an offer. Many times you are not satisfied with the insurance company’s adjuster and the offer made for your loss. In this case you can help yourself by hiring your own adjuster who works only for you and assists you in obtaining a settlement which is more to your liking. The Public Insurance Adjuster is licensed by your State regulating authority and Public Adjusters are paid by you, not by the insurance company.
Andrew Allocco is a proud member of F.A.P.I.A. (Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. CLICK HERE FOR THEIR WEBSITE
A report from the Florida Legislature stated that policyholders who used public adjusters received 574% more than those who did not. That’s over five (5) times more than you would have received from the insurance company’s employee adjuster. So, which settlement do you want to get?
Source: OPPAGA – Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability
www.oppaga.state.fl.us – January 2010
If you feel that you cannot personally handle the negotiations necessary to settle an insurance claim that you are entitled to; or you feel that your insurance company is not allowing you full value for your property (as per your policy); you are allowed, by law, to hire an independent Public Insurance adjuster to act on your behalf. This Public Insurance Adjuster will have the knowledge and experience to obtain all you are entitled to by ensuring that you receive full restitution as outlined in the Insurance Policy you purchased.
Over 35 years experience in the construction industry.
Fully licensed in all fields of construction
Extensive Hurricane insurance claim experience as an Engineer and Contractor.
Over 35 years experience in the valuation of Real Estate as a Licensed Real Estate Broker.
InsuranceLossConsultation
Building Repair Costs
Filing of Claims
Building Replacement Costs
Contents Inventory
Additional Living Expenses
Documentation Preparation
Loss of Income Statement
Disputed Claims
Business Interruption
Additional Claims
Negotiations With Insurance Company
Property Appraisals
Expert Court Testimony
WIND – FLOOD – FIRE – THEFT – OTHER
There is a recent change in the law taking effect on January 1, 2012 dealing with Public Insurance Adjusters and that information is posted below for your review.
There are important changes that affect the business of public adjusting due to the passage of Senate Bill 408 during the 2011 Legislative Session that will become effective January 1, 2012. In an effort to communicate those changes, please see the summary below. To read the enacted legislation verbiage, you should refer to the statutory citations.
Solicitation and Advertising
This part of the law outlines prohibitions regarding certain statements made in advertisements and solicitation pieces used by public adjusters. If you solicit business through newspapers, magazines, flyers and bulk mailers, you should become very familiar with these restrictions.
The following statements, made in any public adjuster’s advertisement or solicitation, are considered deceptive or misleading:
· A statement or representation that invites an insured policyholder to submit a claim when the policyholder does not have covered damage to insured property.
· A statement or representation that invites an insured policyholder to submit a claim by offering monetary or other valuable inducement.
· A statement or representation that invites an insured policyholder to submit a claim by stating that there is no risk to the policyholder by submitting such claim.
· A statement or representation, or use of a logo or shield, that implies or could mistakenly be construed to imply that the solicitation was issued or distributed by a governmental agency or is sanctioned or endorsed by a governmental agency.
· The term written advertisement includes only newspapers, magazines, flyers, and bulk mailers. The following disclaimer, which is not required to be printed on standard size business cards, must be added in bold print and capital letters in typeface no smaller than the typeface of the body of the text to all written advertisements by a public adjuster:
“THIS IS A SOLICITATION FOR BUSINESS. IF YOU HAVE HAD A CLAIM FOR AN INSURED PROPERTY LOSS OR DAMAGE AND YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH THE PAYMENT BY YOUR INSURER, YOU MAY DISREGARD THIS ADVERTISEMENT.”
[See 626.854(8),Florida Statutes]
Written Estimates and Retention Period
The law states that a public adjuster must provide the claimant or insured a written estimate of the loss to assist them in the submission of a proof of loss or any other claim for payment of insurance proceeds. This estimate must also be available to the insurer or department should they request a copy. The written estimate must be maintained in the public adjuster’s records for at least 5 years.
[See 626.854(12),Florida Statutes]
Access to Damaged Property
The law states that company adjusters, independent adjusters, attorneys, investigators, or others acting on behalf of the insurer must give the insured, claimant, public adjuster or legal representative of the insured at least 48 hours notice that they need access to the damaged property. The insured or claimant can waive this notice.
[See 626.854(14),Florida Statutes]
Prompt Notice of Claims
The law states that a public adjuster must provide prompt notice to an insurer for which the public adjuster is handling the claim for a claimant or insured. In addition to the notice, a public adjuster must include a copy of the contract; ensure the property is available for inspection and that the insurer has an opportunity to interview the insured directly about the loss. A public adjuster’s actions must not obstruct or prevent an insurer or company adjuster or other person acting on behalf of the insurer from having reasonable access to the insured, claimant or the insured property. If a public adjuster is unavailable and it would delay the insurance company’s timely inspection of the damaged property, the public adjuster or the insured must allow the insurer access to the property without the public adjuster or insured’s participation.
[See 626.854(15)(a)(b)(c),Florida Statutes]
Public Adjuster Contract Requirements
There are several important statutory changes pertaining to contracts made by public adjusters:
· Must state the type of claim, including an emergency claim, non-emergency claim or supplemental claim.
· Requires the signatures of all named insureds.
· If the signatures of all named insureds are not available, the public adjuster must submit an affidavit signed by the available named insureds attesting that they have authority to enter into the contract and settle all claim issues on behalf of the named insureds.
· An unaltered copy of the contract must be remitted to the insurer within 30 days after execution. This means the contract provided to the insurer must also contain the agreed upon fee percentage.
[See 626.8796(2),Florida Statutes]
The Department will pursue disciplinary action against any public adjuster found to be in violation of the Florida Insurance Code. You may direct any questions you have regarding these statutory changes to askDFS@MyFloridaCFO.com.
Please govern yourself accordingly.
Thank you,
The Division of Agent and Agency Services
www.MyFloridaCFO.com/Agents
Florida Law Requires That We Inform You Of The Following:
“THIS IS A SOLICITATION FOR BUSINESS. IF YOU HAVE HAD A CLAIM FOR AN INSURED PROPERTY LOSS OR DAMAGE AND YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH THE PAYMENT BY YOUR INSURER, YOU MAY DISREGARD THIS ADVERTISEMENT.”
Call: (772) 388-3188
