The full explanation
In Puerto Rico, they need a license from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OCS), the contract must be in writing, and they may not settle without your knowledge and consent or lead you to believe you can only file through them. In Texas, they need a license from the Department of Insurance (TDI) and cannot give legal advice or do the repairs. Hiring one is optional: you can file a claim on your own.
An example
After the hurricane, a public adjuster offers to help Rafael with his claim. Rafael checks the license, reads the fee in the written contract and decides whether to hire the adjuster or file on his own.
You will see it in…
- The public adjuster's service contract
- The license lookup of the OCS or your state insurance department
- Letters about your claim, if the adjuster represents you
