How to Check a Public Adjuster's License (State Lookups)

To check a public adjuster's license, ask for their full name and license number, then search your state insurance department's online license lookup. Make sure the license is active, is a public adjuster license, and is valid in the state where your damaged property is located.

It takes about five minutes and is the single best way to avoid scams after a loss. This guide shows where to look, what to look for, and the red flags and contract terms to check before you sign anything.

Step 1: Get the right information

Before you search, ask the adjuster for:

• Their full legal name, as it appears on their license
• Their individual license number (not just the company's)
• The firm name, if they work for a company
• A government-issued photo ID

Florida's Department of Financial Services ↗ specifically tells consumers to ask for the license number and check it against a photo ID. United Policyholders ↗ also warns that some people work under another person's or firm's license. Ask to see the individual license of the person who will actually handle your claim.

Step 2: Search your state's license lookup

Every state that licenses public adjusters has a way to check. Here are the main options.

The NAIC State Based Systems (SBS) lookup

Many state insurance departments use a shared lookup tool run by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), called State Based Systems ↗. The Wisconsin insurance department ↗, for example, says residents can use it to search public adjusters.

How to use it, based on Wisconsin's instructions:

1. Choose your state as the jurisdiction.
2. Set the search type to Licensee.
3. Pick Individual or Business Entity.
4. Enter the name or license number.
5. Under advanced options, filter for the Public Adjuster license type and Active status.

Not every state uses SBS. If yours doesn't appear, go to your state insurance department's website.

Examples of state lookups

• Florida: Use the DFS Licensee Search ↗. You can search by name, Florida license number or NPN (National Producer Number). See our Florida page.
• Texas: TDI points consumers to the Sircon Customer Inquiry ↗ form to search by name or license number. You can also call the TDI help line at 800-252-3439 to ask whether a public adjuster is licensed and how many complaints have been filed (TDI ↗). See our Texas page.
• California: The CDI Check License Status ↗ tool shows license status and discipline history by name or license number. See our California page.
• New York: DFS says public adjusters must be licensed and can be checked through its "Who We Supervise" tool on the DFS Portal (NY DFS ↗). See our New York page.

For other states, check your state's page for the right link.

What if my state doesn't license public adjusters?

A few states don't. According to NIPR ↗, public adjusters are not licensed or regulated by the Alabama Department of Insurance, and the Alabama State Bar treats negotiating claims for an insured as the practice of law. If you're in a state like this, talk to your state insurance department or an attorney before hiring anyone to negotiate your claim.

Step 3: Read the license record carefully

Finding a name isn't enough. Check these details:

• License type. It should say public adjuster. An "independent adjuster" or "company adjuster" license is for people who work for insurers, not for you.
• Status. It should be active, not expired, suspended or revoked.
• State. The license must be valid in the state where the property is. Many adjusters hold nonresident licenses in other states, which is normal, but they still need one for your state.
• Name match. The name should match their ID and the contract.
• Discipline. Look for any regulatory actions. California's tool shows discipline history. In Texas you can call to ask about complaints.

Step 4: Watch for red flags

These warning signs come up again and again in state and consumer guidance:

• Door-to-door pressure after a disaster. The Insurance Information Institute ↗ advises being "especially wary" of people going door to door after a catastrophe, and says, "Don't let anyone scare you into signing a contract."
• Soliciting at odd hours or too soon. Many states limit this. New York bars solicitation between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. (NY DFS ↗). Florida allows it only Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (FL DFS ↗). California bars soliciting residential contracts in a catastrophic disaster area until seven calendar days after the loss-producing event ends (Cal. Ins. Code s. 15027.1 ↗).
• Offers to pay or waive your deductible. The NAIC model law ↗ bars public adjusters from offering this as an inducement.
• Claims of damage before any inspection. The NAIC model also bars advertising or suggesting damage before the property has been inspected.
• A contractor offering to "handle the claim." The NAIC ↗ notes that in many states it is illegal for a contractor or vendor to act as a public adjuster without a license. Texas law bars a public adjuster from also acting as your contractor on the same claim (TDI ↗).
• Pressure to exaggerate. Florida DFS says to report anyone who urges you to overstate a claim to its fraud hotline at 1-800-378-0445.
• Keeping you away from your insurer. In Texas, public adjusters cannot stop you from talking with your insurance company.

Step 5: Check the contract before you sign

A licensed adjuster should give you a written contract. The NAIC model law ↗, which many states draw from, says contracts should include:

• The adjuster's full name, business address, phone and license number
• The title "Public Adjuster Contract"
• Your name, address, insurer and policy number
• A description of the loss and the services to be provided
• The full fee, with the exact percentage if it's a share of the settlement
• Any expenses to be repaid, listed by type with dollar estimates
• Signatures and dates from both of you

Also confirm:

• Cancellation rights. These vary. The NAIC model gives three business days. New York allows cancellation until midnight of the third business day after signing. Texas allows 72 hours. Florida allows 10 days, with a longer window for emergency claims.
• What the fee applies to. Ask whether it applies to money already paid, the deductible, or living expenses. See our public adjuster fees guide.
• Who does the work. United Policyholders suggests asking whether the person you meet will handle your claim or hand it off.
• No blanks. Never sign a contract with blank fee or expense lines.

Keep a signed copy for your records.

Step 6: Check references

United Policyholders recommends asking for at least three references from local clients whose claims the adjuster personally handled in the past three years, and calling at least two. Ask how the fee was calculated and whether they would hire the adjuster again.

You can also browse public adjuster firms to compare options in your area.

Where to report a problem

If you suspect an unlicensed or dishonest adjuster, contact your state insurance department. Examples include the Texas Department of Insurance at 800-252-3439 and Florida's Insurance Fraud Hotline at 1-800-378-0445. United Policyholders also suggests your state's public adjuster trade association for informal disputes.

Find a licensed adjuster

Checking a license is quick and protects you from costly mistakes. If you want help finding someone vetted for your state, get matched with a licensed public adjuster.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Licensing rules vary by state and change over time.

Frequently asked questions

How do I look up a public adjuster license?

Search your state insurance department's online license lookup by name or license number. Many states use the NAIC State Based Systems lookup. Filter for a public adjuster license with active status.

What is an NPN?

An NPN is a National Producer Number, a unique ID that NIPR ↗ assigns to insurance licensees. Some state lookups, like Florida's, let you search by NPN as well as state license number.

Can a public adjuster from another state handle my claim?

Only if they hold a license, often a nonresident license, in the state where your property is. Check that state's lookup.

Is an independent adjuster license the same as a public adjuster license?

No. Independent adjusters work for insurance companies. Make sure the license says public adjuster if you're hiring someone to represent you.

What if the adjuster's license is expired or not found?

Don't sign. Double-check the spelling and try the license number. If you still can't find an active public adjuster license, contact your state insurance department before going further.

Can I cancel after signing with an unlicensed adjuster?

Rules vary. Contact your state insurance department right away and consider talking to an attorney about your options.