Becoming a public adjuster in Florida is a challenging but rewarding career for those with the right skills and aptitudes. To legally offer their services to the public, public adjusters must obtain a Florida public adjuster license for 3 to 20 years. The Florida Department of Financial Services oversees the licensing process and has specific guidelines for obtaining a license. To become a public adjuster in Florida, you must be at least 18 years old and a citizen of the United States or a temporary resident with a work authorization from the United States Immigration and Naturalization Services.
There are additional prerequisites depending on whether you are a Florida resident or not. You must also keep an appointment for at least six continuous months before applying for a public adjuster's license. Once you have completed the requirements, the state government will send you an email confirmation that your Florida public adjuster license is now active. There are fees that must be paid during the process of obtaining a public adjuster's license.
In addition to obtaining a license, public adjusters must take 24 hours of specific continuing education courses to renew their license. Courses for independent adjusters do not meet the CE requirements of state public adjusters, so it's best to check the specifications of public adjusters before purchasing them. When beneficiaries of an insurance policy file a claim on that policy, they usually hire public insurance adjusters to represent their interests in resolving the claim. A public adjuster can also act on behalf of or help an insured person negotiate the resolution of a claim.
Unlike other types of bonds, Florida's publicly appraised bonds do not require a credit check and all major bonds qualify for the same low premium rate. The court found that, since the public adjuster had a contract with the policyholder, he could not qualify as a “disinterested appraiser.” A public adjuster is defined as any person, except an attorney, who prepares, completes, or submits an insurance claim form for an insured person or a third person in exchange for a price (money, commission, or anything of value). The other major public adjuster license in Florida is called the 6- to 20-line insurance adjuster license. Public adjusters provide an important service by holding insurance companies accountable to their policyholders. They are responsible for determining and determining the amount of any claim, loss or damage payable under of an insurance contract or undertaking to effect the settlement of such claim, loss or damage. For those looking to become licensed public adjusters in Florida, it is important to understand all of the requirements and regulations associated with obtaining and maintaining your license. With the right knowledge and dedication, becoming a licensed public adjuster in Florida can be an incredibly rewarding career.
