Insurance Adjuster License in Florida: A Complete Guide for Consumers
Florida’s property insurance market is one of the most complex and heavily regulated in the nation. At the center of this market are insurance adjusters — the professionals who investigate, document, and evaluate property damage claims. Whether they work for an insurance company or for you, every adjuster must hold a valid Florida license.
As a property owner, understanding the Florida insurance adjuster licensing system gives you the ability to verify who is handling your claim and whether they have the credentials to do it properly. This guide covers everything you need to know about adjuster licensing in Florida from the consumer’s perspective.
Florida’s Adjuster License Categories
The Florida Department of Financial Services issues several categories of adjuster licenses. Each authorizes different activities and carries different requirements.
License Type 6-20: All-Lines Adjuster
The 6-20 license is the standard insurance adjuster license. Holders of this license work for insurance companies — either as staff employees or as independent contractors. The “all-lines” designation means they can adjust claims across property, casualty, and other insurance lines.
Who holds this license: Staff adjusters at insurance companies, independent adjusters working for adjusting firms, and catastrophe (CAT) adjusters deployed after major events.
What they can do: Investigate claims, inspect damage, prepare estimates, and recommend settlement amounts — all on behalf of the insurance company.
What they cannot do: Represent policyholders. A 6-20 license holder who is not also licensed as a public adjuster cannot advocate for your interests against the insurance company.
License Type 6-20PA: Public Adjuster
The 6-20PA license is a separate and distinct license that authorizes the holder to represent policyholders in insurance claims. This is the only license that permits someone to act as your advocate.
Who holds this license: Public adjusters who work exclusively for policyholders.
Additional requirements beyond 6-20:
- Separate public adjuster examination
- Surety bond of at least $50,000
- Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance
- Compliance with Florida’s public adjuster statutes (F.S. 626.854)
- Adherence to fee caps (20% standard, 10% emergency-declared)
What they can do: Inspect your property, document damage, prepare repair estimates, review your policy, negotiate with the insurance company, and handle your entire claim on your behalf.
Non-Resident Adjuster Licenses
Adjusters licensed in other states can apply for a Florida non-resident license. Florida has reciprocity agreements with many states, allowing licensed adjusters from those states to obtain Florida authorization more easily.
Important note for consumers: A non-resident adjuster may lack familiarity with Florida-specific building codes, insurance regulations, and local construction costs. If an out-of-state adjuster is assigned to your claim, verify their Florida license and ask about their experience with Florida claims.
Emergency/Temporary Adjuster Licenses
After a declared state of emergency (typically following a major hurricane), the Department of Financial Services may authorize temporary or emergency adjuster licenses to handle the surge in claims. These licenses are:
- Limited in duration (typically 180 days)
- Subject to supervision requirements
- Issued to individuals who meet minimum qualifications
Consumer consideration: Emergency adjusters handle high volumes of claims under time pressure. Their assessments may be less thorough than those of experienced, permanently licensed adjusters.
What Each License Requires
Understanding the licensing requirements gives you insight into the minimum qualifications of the person handling your claim.
Pre-Licensing Education
| License Type | Required Hours | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 6-20 (All-Lines) | 40 hours | Insurance principles, FL law, policy analysis, damage assessment |
| 6-20PA (Public) | 40 hours + additional PA topics | All of the above plus policyholder representation, negotiation, PA regulations |
State Examination
Both license types require passing a proctored state exam administered by a testing vendor approved by the Department of Financial Services. The exams test:
- Florida insurance statutes and regulations
- Insurance policy interpretation
- Claims investigation and documentation
- Damage assessment methodology
- Ethics and professional conduct
- (Public adjuster exam) Policyholder advocacy and PA-specific regulations
Background Check
All applicants undergo a criminal background check and character review. The Department of Financial Services may deny a license based on criminal history, fraud, or other character issues.
Financial Requirements (Public Adjusters Only)
Public adjusters must demonstrate financial responsibility through:
- Surety bond: Minimum $50,000, protects consumers against PA misconduct
- E&O insurance: Protects against errors in the PA’s professional work
Continuing Education
All licensed adjusters must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years, including:
- 3 hours of ethics
- 3 hours of Florida law updates
- 18 hours of approved insurance topics
How to Verify a Florida Adjuster’s License: Step by Step
Verifying an adjuster’s license takes less than five minutes and is completely free.
Step 1: Collect Information
Get the adjuster’s full legal name and, if possible, their license number or National Producer Number (NPN). Licensed adjusters should provide this information readily. Reluctance to share license information is a red flag.
Step 2: Access the Search Tool
Visit the Florida Department of Financial Services website and navigate to the “Agent and Adjuster” licensee search tool.
Step 3: Search
Enter the adjuster’s name (last name, first name) or license number. The search results will display all matching records.
Step 4: Verify Key Details
For each result, check:
- License type: Is it 6-20 (company adjuster) or 6-20PA (public adjuster)? This tells you who they work for.
- License status: Must show “Active.” Any other status (Inactive, Revoked, Suspended, Expired) means the person is not currently authorized to adjust claims.
- Effective date: How long have they held this license? More experience generally means better outcomes.
- Expiration date: Is the license current?
- Appointments: For 6-20 license holders, this shows which insurance companies they are appointed with — confirming they work for the insurer, not for you.
- Administrative actions: Check for any disciplinary history, complaints, or enforcement actions.
Step 5: Document Your Findings
Save or screenshot the search results for your records. If you later have a dispute with the adjuster, this documentation confirms you verified their credentials.
What to Do If You Discover License Problems
The Adjuster Has No License
If the person inspecting your property or handling your claim does not hold a valid Florida adjuster license, do not allow them to continue. Notify your insurance company immediately and request a licensed adjuster. Document the situation in writing.
The License Is Expired or Inactive
An expired or inactive license means the person is not currently authorized to adjust claims in Florida. Their work on your claim may not have legal standing, and any documentation they prepared could be challenged.
There Are Disciplinary Actions
Review the details of any disciplinary history. A single minor administrative issue may not be disqualifying, but patterns of complaints, fines, or formal enforcement actions should cause concern. Consider finding a different adjuster.
The License Type Does Not Match
If someone presents themselves as a public adjuster but holds only a 6-20 (all-lines) license, they are not authorized to represent policyholders. This is a serious misrepresentation. Report it to the Department of Financial Services.
Why License Verification Protects Your Claim
Financial Protection
Licensed public adjusters must maintain a surety bond of at least $50,000. If a licensed PA mishandles your claim, you have a financial remedy through the bond. Unlicensed individuals offer no such protection.
Quality Assurance
The licensing exam, education requirements, and continuing education standards create a baseline of competency. While licensing alone does not guarantee excellent work, it ensures the adjuster has demonstrated fundamental knowledge of insurance claims.
Accountability
Licensed adjusters are subject to oversight and discipline by the Department of Financial Services. You can file complaints, and the department has the authority to investigate and take action — including revoking the adjuster’s license. This accountability creates a strong incentive for licensed adjusters to maintain professional standards.
Legal Standing
Work performed by licensed adjusters has full legal standing in claim negotiations, appraisal proceedings, and litigation. Documentation from unlicensed individuals may be challenged or excluded.
The Consumer’s Licensing Checklist
Before allowing anyone to handle your insurance claim:
- Get their full name and license number
- Verify the license through the Department of Financial Services
- Confirm the license type matches their role (6-20PA for public adjusters)
- Check that the license status is “Active”
- Review any disciplinary history
- For public adjusters, confirm they carry a surety bond and E&O insurance
- Ask about their experience with your type of claim and your geographic area
Work with a Verified, Licensed Public Adjuster
Greater Claims Consulting & Appraisal Inc. is led by Reginald Amedee, who holds an active Florida Public Insurance Adjuster license (6-20PA). We invite you to verify our credentials through the Department of Financial Services — transparency is how we build trust with the property owners we serve throughout Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties.
Get your free claim review — call (877) 462-7036. We will inspect your damage, review your policy, and provide an honest assessment of your claim. No cost, no obligation, and complete transparency about our licensing and qualifications.