Florida Public Adjuster Solicitation Rules

When a public adjuster may contact you

The storm passed two days ago. Your yard is full of branches, and now there is a knock at the door, a flyer in the mailbox and a text from a number you do not know. Florida has rules for all of it.

A public adjuster may not solicit you, directly or through anyone else, by any means, except Monday through Saturday and only between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. (s. 626.854(5)). That covers in-person visits, phone calls, texts and other contact. There is no Sunday solicitation at all. This rule applies to residential property and condo unit owner policies (s. 626.854(19)).

If your property is insured under a commercial policy, the day and hour limits in subsection (5) do not apply by their terms. The licensing rule still does: no one but an attorney or a licensed and appointed public adjuster may solicit, investigate or adjust a claim for pay (s. 626.854(20)).

DFS’s rule defines solicitation broadly. It means starting contact with you, in person, by mail, by phone or otherwise, to get you to sign up with a public adjuster (Fla. Admin. Code R. 69B-220.051(2)(a)).

Who may knock on your door

Soliciting public adjusting business requires a license. Only a licensed public adjuster, or a public adjuster apprentice under the direct supervision of a supervising public adjuster, may do it. Unlicensed people may not solicit, even if a licensed adjuster supervises them (R. 69B-220.051(2)(a)). Office staff may answer the phone, but they may not explain coverage or urge you to sign (R. 69B-220.051(2)(b)).

Contractors have their own limit. A licensed contractor may not advertise, solicit, offer to handle or perform public adjuster services unless also licensed as a public adjuster (s. 626.854(16)). A contractor may suggest that you contact your insurer to see whether a repair is covered, and may discuss a repair bid. For more on that line, read public adjuster vs contractor claim help.

What they may not say or offer

Florida treats certain statements in a public adjuster’s advertising or solicitation as deceptive (s. 626.854(8)(a)). A public adjuster may not:

• Invite you to file a claim when you do not have covered damage.
• Offer money or something else of value to get you to file.
• Say that filing a claim is without risk to you.
• Use wording, a logo or a shield that suggests a government agency sent or endorsed the message.

Inducements are limited in other ways too. A public adjuster may not give or offer you a loan or advance (s. 626.854(9)), and promotional merchandise is capped at a small value set in s. 626.854(10). Offering a rebate, gift, gift card, cash, coupon or deductible waiver in exchange for a roof inspection or a roof claim is prohibited outright (s. 626.854(23)). Paying people for referrals is also barred, except between public adjusters (s. 626.854(13)).

Written advertising has its own rules. Every public adjuster advertisement must show the full name and license number of the adjuster who placed it, or of the firm’s primary adjuster (R. 69B-220.051(3)(b)). Newspapers, magazines, flyers and bulk mailers must also carry a bold, all-capitals notice saying “THIS IS A SOLICITATION FOR BUSINESS,” and that you may disregard it if you are satisfied with your insurer’s payment (s. 626.854(8)(b)).

Allowed or not: common situations

How to handle a knock on the door

You can be polite and still protect yourself. These steps help:

• Ask for the person’s full name and license number. DFS suggests comparing the license number with a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver license.
• Look the name up on the DFS licensee search before you agree to anything. Our license check guide shows how.
• Take the card or flyer and the contract, if offered, and read it later. You do not have to decide at the door.
• Remember that you are not required to hire a public adjuster, and you may always talk directly with your insurer. The DFS disclosure form a public adjuster must give you says both.
• Note the date, time and day of the week of any contact that seems off.

If you are shaken after a loss, it is fine to say “not today.” Florida’s ethics rule for adjusters says they may not try to negotiate with or get a statement from someone who is, or would reasonably be expected to be, in shock or serious emotional distress from the loss (R. 69B-220.201(3)(i)).

If you do sign and then change your mind, Florida gives you a window to cancel without penalty: 10 days after signing, or after a declared state of emergency, 30 days after the date of loss or 10 days after signing, whichever is longer (s. 626.854(7)). The cancellation guide explains how. Before you commit to anyone, the choosing a public adjuster guide lists what to compare.

How to report a problem

DFS says to call the Insurance Fraud Hotline at 1-800-378-0445 if you suspect an adjuster is working without a license, urges you to overstate a claim, or you otherwise suspect fraud. For a concern about a licensed adjuster’s conduct, the DFS Division of Consumer Services takes insurance concerns by phone at 1-877-693-5236 and through its online portal. Adjusterman is not affiliated with DFS.

Give DFS what you saved: the name, license number if any, card or flyer, and the date and time of contact. DFS may take administrative action and fine people who solicit or adjust without the required license (s. 626.854(21)), and acting as a public adjuster without a license and appointment is a third-degree felony (s. 626.8738).

Licensed firms publish their license numbers so you can check them. You can see how we list ours on our about page.