Consumers & Public Adjusters
When you file an insurance claim, your insurance company generally assigns an adjuster at no charge to you. However, in some cases you may also hire another type of adjuster known as a public adjuster. Public adjusters are independent insurance professionals who will work on your behalf and help with the filing, investigating, appraising, and settlement of a claim. The public adjuster charges a fee for their services, usually a percentage of the settlement amount.
In South Carolina, public adjusters must pass an examination and be licensed by the Department. Be sure to always check references and qualifications of any public adjuster you are considering. Click here to view a
List of SC Licensed Public Adjusters.
To view additional information regarding public adjusters' legal requirements, standards of conduct, contract requirements, etc., please see
Title 38, Chapter 48 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. A couple of helpful definitions are included below:
- "Public insurance adjuster" means any individual who, for salary, fee, commission, or other compensation, engages in public adjusting and who is licensed under Section 38-48-20. A public insurance adjuster is not an attorney licensed to practice by the South Carolina Supreme Court who adjusts insurance losses in the course of the practice of law. A public insurance adjuster is not an adjuster representing an insurer and is not licensed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 47.
- "Public adjusting" means investigating, appraising or evaluating, and reporting to an insured in relation to a first party claim arising under insurance contracts, that insure the real or personal property, or both, of the insured. Public adjusting does not include acting in any manner in relation to claims for damages to or arising out of the operation of a motor vehicle. Public adjusting does not include any activities which may constitute the unauthorized practice of law.