Chapter 629, PUBLIC ADJUSTERS

629.01 Definitions. In this chapter: (1) “Adjusting service” means an act on behalf of an insured, in exchange for compensation, with the preparation, completion, or filing of a first-party claim, including by negotiating values, damages, or depreciation or by applying the loss c…

629.02 Registration. 629.02(1)(1) List of registered public adjusters. The commissioner shall maintain on the office’s Internet site a list of public adjusters who have registered with the commissioner under sub. (2). 629.02(2)(2) Application. A public adjuster who is not a resid…

629.03 Examination. (1) Prior to the commissioner approving an individual’s registration under s. 629.02 (2), the individual shall pass a written examination that tests knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of a public adjuster and the insurance laws and regulations of thi…

629.04 Contract requirements. (1) A public adjuster may not perform any adjusting service for an insured prior to entering into a contract with the insured. The contract shall be in writing, be titled “Public Adjuster Contract,” and be on a form filed with the commissioner under …

629.05 Compensation. (1) In this section, “catastrophic disaster” means an event for which the president of the United States or the governor has declared a state of emergency. (2) The contract under s. 629.04 shall clearly disclose the compensation the public adjuster is to rece…

629.06 Additional compensation. A public adjuster may not directly or indirectly accept compensation or anything else of value from an insured and a person who provides estimates for work or performs work in conjunction with damage or loss under a claim subject to a contract unde…

629.07 Assignment of proceeds prohibited. (1) A public adjuster may not request or accept an assignment of insurance policy proceeds from an insured with whom the public adjuster has entered into a contract under s. 629.04. An insurer may not be required to honor an assignment of…

629.08 Escrow of funds. A public adjuster who, on behalf of an insured, receives, accepts, or holds any funds for the settlement of a first-party claim shall deposit the funds in a noninterest-bearing escrow account in a federally insured financial institution that is located in …

629.082 Bonding. A public adjuster shall supply a bond that meets specifications established by the commissioner to guarantee faithful performance of the individual’s duties and obligations as a public adjuster. History: 2019 a. 129.

629.09 Contractors. A public adjuster may not require an insured to use a particular contractor or vendor and may not take any action that vests the effective authority with the public adjuster to choose a person to perform work on the insured’s claim. A contract under s. 629.04 …

629.10 Prohibitions. In addition to the other prohibitions in this chapter, a public adjuster may not do any of the following: (1) Solicit, or attempt to solicit, an insured during the progress of a loss-producing occurrence, as defined in the insured’s insurance policy. (3) Own …

629.11 Continuing education. (1) Prior to the commissioner approving an individual’s registration under s. 629.02 (2), the individual shall certify to the commissioner that the individual will complete, on a biennial basis, a minimum of 15 credits of continuing education, includi…

629.12 Reporting of administrative and criminal actions. (1) A public adjuster shall report to the commissioner any administrative action related to the business of insurance that is taken against the public adjuster by a governmental agency or regulatory body. The report shall b…

629.13 Penalties. Upon a finding that a public adjuster has done any of the following, the commissioner may, after a hearing, notify the public by posting the public adjuster’s name and infraction on the office’s Internet site, levy a civil penalty, or, if applicable, suspend or …