Licensing and Regulation of Public Adjusters
Why the license matters
This domain tests who may act as a public adjuster in Georgia, how the license is obtained and kept, and how the Commissioner disciplines licensees. A public adjuster is a person who, for compensation, represents an insured in negotiating or settling a property claim. The license is issued under O.C.G.A. Title 33, Chapter 23, and is not an insurer appointment.
Core rules
- A Georgia public adjuster license must be issued before the person solicits, advertises, or adjusts a Georgia claim. A license from another state is not authority in Georgia.
- Qualifications include age 18, a completed application and fee, examination where required, fingerprint and background review, and a surety bond in the amount set by statute. The bond is a financial guarantee, not professional liability insurance.
- Nonresident applicants need a Georgia nonresident license, a home-state license in good standing, and compliance with Georgia requirements. Reciprocity does not waive Georgia law, bond, or continuing education.
- Georgia's biennial continuing education for adjusters is 24 hours, including at least 3 hours of ethics, unless an exemption applies. Keep certificates and completion records.
- Report name and address changes and disciplinary actions to the Department promptly; maintain claim records and respond to Department inquiries.
- The Commissioner may deny, suspend, revoke, fine, or issue cease-and-desist orders for fraud, misrepresentation, commingling, rebating, or unlicensed activity.
Worked example
A Florida-licensed public adjuster moves to Savannah and begins soliciting hail claims before applying in Georgia. That is unlicensed activity. The adjuster must first obtain a Georgia license, resident or nonresident as applicable, file the required bond, pass any required examination, and satisfy background and CE requirements. Only then may the adjuster sign a Georgia insured and negotiate with the insurer. A Florida license does not travel with the adjuster.
Traps
Do not assume a public adjuster is appointed by the insurer; public adjusters are licensed, not insurer-appointed. Do not treat the surety bond as errors-and-omissions coverage. Do not let a license lapse while a claim is open, and do not ignore the ethics hours in CE.