Public Adjusters in Tennessee

A public adjuster is a licensed insurance professional who represents the policyholder in preparing, presenting, and negotiating a first-party property insurance claim. They help document your damages, prepare estimates, and advocate on your behalf with the insurer.

According to the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA), public adjusters help policyholders navigate the complex claim process — they work only for you, not for your insurance company.

Yes. Tennessee law requires individuals and business entities acting as public adjusters to hold an active public adjuster license issued by the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance before handling or negotiating claims on behalf of policyholders.

1. Be at least 18 years old and of good reputation.
2. Pass the Tennessee public adjuster exam administered by Pearson Vue.
3. Complete a fingerprint-based background check.
4. Submit your application and required fees (often around $100).
5. File a $50,000 surety bond.
6. Provide proof of Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance (commonly required in large amounts).

• Carefully reviewing your insurance policy to understand what is covered.
• Inspecting and documenting all your property damage.
• Preparing detailed damage reports and estimates.
• Submitting your claim to the insurance company accurately and professionally.
• Negotiating with the insurer to pursue the best possible settlement.

Yes. Tennessee law governs how public adjusters may charge fees. If the contract with the policyholder is formed before the insurer makes a settlement offer, fees generally may not exceed 15% of total claim proceeds. If formed after an insurer offer, the fee cap is typically 25% of the increase in settlement achieved by the adjuster.

These rules help protect consumers by limiting how much can be charged based on when the adjuster is brought into the process.

• The services the adjuster will provide.
• The fee structure and any fee caps.
• Terms regarding cancellation or contract revocation.
• The adjuster’s license information and contact details.

Yes. Licensed Tennessee public adjusters must complete continuing education (CE) to renew their licenses, typically every two years. Most CE requirements include both ethics and technical insurance education.

• You have significant or complex property damage.
• Your insurer’s initial settlement seems too low or incomplete.
• You want help with the claim documentation and negotiation process.

You can verify a Tennessee public adjuster’s license status using the Department of Commerce & Insurance license lookup tool or national regulatory systems such as the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). This ensures you’re working with someone in good standing.