WV Adjuster License Part I- General Insurance Laws and Regulations Questions and Answers

Adjuster Any individual who, for compensation, fee or commission, investigates and settles claims arising under property, casualty or surety insurance contracts, on behalf of either the insurer or insured. The term "adjuster" includes public adjusters, company adjusters and crop adjusters unless specified otherwise. Company adjuster Means an adjuster representing the interests of the insurer, including an independent contractor and a salaried employee of the insurer. Crop adjuster Means a person who adjusts crop insurance claims under the federal crop insurance program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture. Emergency adjuster Means a person who is authorized by the Commissioner to perform adjusting activities in West Virginia. Home state Means the District of Columbia or any state or territory of the United States in which an adjuster maintains his or her principal place of residence or business and in which he or she is licensed to act as a resident adjuster. If a persons principal place of residence or business does not license adjusters for the type of adjuster license sought in this state, he or she may designate as his or her home state any state in which he or she has such a license. Insurance emergency Means a temporary situation declared by the Commissioner when he or she finds that there is an inadequate number of licensed adjusters to meet the demands of the public. Public adjuster Means an independent contractor representing solely financial interests of the insured named in the policy. Application for License Application for an adjuster license must be made to the Commissioner on forms prescribed by him or her and must contain information and be accompanied by supporting documents as the Commissioner may require. The fee for an adjuster license is $25.00 and must be submitted with the application. Standards of conduct An adjuster may not give legal advice and may not deal directly with any policyholder or claimant who is represented by legal counsel without the consent of the legal counsel involved.