The National Association of Insurance Commissioners released an updated model law several weeks ago that would require all independent claim adjusters to obtain a state-based license before they could begin working.
In addition to outlining and standardizing professional requirements, the model law would mandate states that adopt it to allow the proposal to supplant any other laws or licenses currently in effect, fundamentally changing the adjusting profession both for adjusters and insurance companies.
There are several notable proposals included in the model law, the first of which is the introduction of the apprentice independent adjuster license. It allows a properly licensed independent adjuster to appoint an apprentice for a term of up to 12 months, which would exempt the apprentice from immediately having to take a licensing exam in states that require it. Also, the act gives adjusters who want to work in a state other than the one they were licensed in much more flexibility since it won't require adjusters to retake the license exam.
Additionally, the model law would require independents to store client file information for a minimum of five years, and mandates that all adjusters post a bond or line of credit letter of $20,000. According to one source, the last provision has the potential to restrict the field of independent adjusters because of the high cost of "buy-in," but it also could help establish more consistency in the field by weeding out candidates who are deterred by the financial hurdle.
Long a controversial topic, the idea of a regulated license faces a lot more debate before implementation – which isn't likely to be any time soon. One independent adjuster stated that insurers likely would oppose the requirements because more training and education ultimately will lead to higher fees from independents. Others noted that a model law isn't really a law; it's simply a suggestion that states can choose to ignore. In the end, if a majority of the states choose against adopting the proposal, all the debate will be all for naught.
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