Ethical Requirements For Insurance Adjusters

People have a love/hate relationship with insurance adjusters. Some are highly skilled and ethical, allowing customers to get the compensation they deserve for their losses, whether it be damage to a car, home, or other item of value. Then there are those who let their relationship with the insurance company get in the way of their job. They may make lowball offers to save money, even though this is not in the customers’ best interests.

Insurance adjusters, however, need to take their job seriously. They have a duty to act ethically at all times. When they fail to do so, they can lose their job and even their license.

The work of adjusting insurance claims involves fairness and honesty. The adjuster has to put the claimant’s interests above their interests in every instance. What this means is that an adjuster should not coerce the claimant to choose a specific person or company for repairs or other services in connection with the claim. There should be no conflicts of interest based on an insurance company’s or adjuster’s relationship with a certain party.

What the Law Says

Florida Administrative Code (FAC) Rule 69B-220.201 outlines various ethical guidelines that an insurance adjuster must adhere to. An adjuster shall treat all claimants equally. For example, an adjuster should not show preferential treatment toward any claimant. Claims must be adjusted in accordance with the insurance contract. Adjusters are required to make truthful reports and handle every adjustment and settlement with honesty and integrity. In addition, insurance adjusters are required to advise claimants of their claim options and should not prevent claimants from seeking legal advice or speaking privately with the insurance company.

In addition, insurance adjusters can only deal with claims that are under their realm of expertise. They should not adjust claims that they are not competent or knowledgeable about nor should they ever represent themselves.

Another thing to note is that adjusters must resolve your claim in an efficient and expeditious manner. They should not intentionally delay your claim, as this is considered a breach of their obligations.

Overall, insurance adjusters need to be loyal to claimants. After all, adjusters have the trust of the public. Claimants rely on adjusters to help them in their time of need. They expect that the adjuster will work in their interests and get them the compensation they deserve for their losses.

Keep Your License With Help From a Tampa Insurance Adjusters Licensing Lawyer

Insurance adjusters can be swayed by the insurance company or money. There are a lot of outside influences that can cause an adjuster to engage in unethical behavior that affects the outcome of the claimant’s claim.

You can lose your license if you do not act in accordance with the law or ethics. Keep your license with help from Tampa insurance adjustors licensing lawyer David P. Rankin. Schedule a consultation with our office today so I can help resolve your licensing issues. Call (813) 968-6633 or fill out the online form.

Source:

flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=69B-220.201