You Need to Know This Insurance Trend

Last week I had the wonderful privilege of attending NAPIA, the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. It was an eye-opening experience to see the number of strong adjusters, attorneys, and service vendors, all supporting the work we do to represent you, the insured. I was pleased to see the comradery, support, and inclusion of all, for the betterment of our industry and those who purchase insurance policies.

The most shocking, however, was not so positive. I did not realize all the efforts the insurance companies would make to try and decrease the authority and the power of the policyholder. The efforts being put forth today to limit the ability of you, the homeowner or business owner, are astounding. The most egregious attempt is the Anti Public- Adjuster endorsement.

This endorsement has successfully eliminated the option for the policyholder to obtain the services of a professional State Licensed Public Insurance adjuster to represent their interests in the loss. It is forcing the insured to fight the claim themselves or hire an attorney for representation. This is akin to eliminating the use of an orthopedic surgeon when one has a broken arm. Furthermore, it is a slap in the face to the insured, the laws of our nation, and our freedom.

Per NAPIA, “Property insurers’ practice of including anti-public adjuster endorsements or provisions in their policies represents a concerted and intentional course of conduct to illegally control and depress first-party property damage repair costs to the detriment of insureds and the substantial profit of property insurers, and also has the effect of harming public adjusters and restraining their ability to perform their statutorily authorized profession. These forms thus must be outlawed.”

Per Merlin Law Group, “Over the last few years, we have noticed a disturbing trend regarding our work. Some insurance companies are issuing policies whereby an insured, as a condition precedent to getting a policy of insurance, agrees that they can never retain a public adjuster to prepare a claim in the event of a property loss.

We praise the leadership of NAPIA, Merlin Law Group, and many others for taking action. We want to encourage all public adjusters and those who have been served by public adjusters, and anyone concerned with justice, to support NAPIA’s efforts. NAPIA has been at the forefront of public adjuster licensing, establishing Codes of Ethics and making a Model Public Adjusting law recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Please call or write to your state insurance representative and remind them that they represent you and your interests, and that this endorsement could affect millions who have an insurance loss over the upcoming years. You can also help by donating to NAPIA’s efforts in fighting unfair insurance practices. Click here to visit their website.