Hello there!
Welcome to another informational article, this time about the Florida All Lines Adjuster license.
We will be taking a look at different types of adjuster licenses in Florida, adjuster designations, the licensing exam, and what you need to do to clear this exam.
Once you have read this article, you will get a better insight into:
If you’re interested in acquiring this license, then keep on reading to find out more.
Let’s get to it!
What is a Florida Adjuster License?
Also known as the Florida 6 20 licenses, it allows the holder to determine the settlement amount of damage, claim, or loss payable under an insurance contract.
They are also licensed to settle any damages, losses, or claims in case of any calamities.
After all, Florida is known to be one of the biggest states for adjusting claims, so any resident can go through the licensing course and appear for the exam.
There are two types of All Lines Adjusters:
- A Company Employee Adjuster is someone who is employed at an insurance firm and works for them.
- An Independent Adjuster is someone who is working as an independent agent for an adjusting firm or is self-appointed.
However, there are three types of Florida adjuster licenses. Each license type has different license descriptions and purposes.
These are as follows:
- Florida 6/20 Adjuster License
- Florida 7/20 Adjuster License
- Florida 70-20 Adjuster License
- The FL 3-20 and FL 73-20 public adjuster licenses
If you’re getting the licensure for the first time, you will need one of these licenses depending on the factors of your Florida residency status.
Requirements for the Florida Insurance Claims Adjuster License
In order to be eligible to become an FL 6 20 insurance claims adjuster, there are certain requirements you need to meet.
The most basic ones are:
- You should be at least 18 years old or above
- Be a resident of the state of Florida
There is also an option for a non-resident license.
Of course, you need to clear the state licensing exam to become licensed. There are exemptions to this, such as:
- Have completed the WebCE’s (CACP) Claims Adjuster Certified Professional, which is an online state-approved program.
- Already have a Property & Casualty FL 2-20 General Lines insurance license
- Have completed studies from an accredited college or university with an insurance degree
If you meet one of the above-mentioned conditions, you may be exempted from the state exam.
Also, if you already have this license in another state, you cannot re-apply for one again.
How to Become a Claims Adjuster
The first and most crucial step is to ensure that you meet ALL the basic requirements.
There are two types of different requirements for residents and non-residents.
For Non-resident Adjusters
If you are not a resident of the state of Florida, here are the requirements you need to meet:
- You should have work authorization for the Immigration and Naturalization Services
- Be a legal alien or a citizen of the United States of America
- Be a minimum of 18 years of age or above
If you already have an adjuster license in your home state, you can go for a reciprocal license.
Before you do, however, make sure that there exists a reciprocal licensing agreement between Florida and your home state.
It is recommended to get the Florida 70-20 Designated Home State License (DHS) if you live in a state that doesn’t offer insurance adjusters licenses.
To get this license, you should meet the following criterion:
- Appear and clear the Florida Adjuster Exam
OR,
- Apply for and complete the pre-licensing course followed by passing the included exam (those who do so are exempted from appearing in the Florida state adjuster exam).
- Take the Florida Certified Adjuster Designation course, which is an approved state examination.
For Resident Adjusters
If you are a resident of the state of Florida, things are a bit easier and smoother. The requirements are as follows:
- Be a legal alien or a citizen of the United States of America.
- You should have a work authorization for the Immigration and Naturalization Services.
- At least 18 years of age or older
- Resident of Florida
You also have to meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Take the Florida Certified Adjuster Designation course, which is an approved state examination.
- Appear for and clear the Florida Adjuster Examination
- Apply for and complete the pre-licensing course followed by passing the included exam (those who do so are exempted from appearing in the Florida state adjuster exam).
Additionally, the following criteria also exempt individuals from giving the exam:
- Holding a public adjuster license in Florida.
- Education requirements include an insurance degree with a minimum college credit of 18 semester hours in commercial insurance, health, casualty, and property from an accredited university or college.
- Verifying through a Letter of Clearance, for independent or company, that you held an all-lines adjuster license for at least 1 year before applying for the insurance adjuster license.
- Once you have become a resident in Florida, apply for the resident all lines adjuster license within 90 days of residency.
For more information, you can visit the Department of Financial Services website.
Applying for the Florida Adjuster License
As soon as you have completed the above-mentioned requirements, you are ready to apply for the license.
You can do this by providing the required paperwork and paying the fees.
Make sure to pick the suitable license type on the application form that meets your needs.
In Florida, it is mandatory for all applicants to get fingerprinted for a background check.
Follow the instructions provided by the Florida DFS to get your fingerprints processed and submitted.
You can submit fingerprints in two ways:
- Use fingerprint cards to submit by mail
- Use electronic method using LiveScan
Note that by using the fingerprint LiveScan method, they can be processed much faster.
You can use the adjuster application through the MyProfile page on the Florida Department of Financial Services webpage.
Applicants are also required to submit their proof of citizenship when sending in their applications.
The online application works best on a computer or laptop with a bigger screen.
For more information on the criminal background and the questions related to it, you can visit the Applicants with Criminal Histories page on the MyFloridaCFO website.
To check whether the license has been issued to you, you can always log in to MyProfile.
License Appointments
It is one of the insurance licensing requirements to get an appointment in Florida.
If you are an independent adjuster, you will have to appoint yourself accordingly. You can do this by:
- Logging in to your account on MyProfile
- First, register yourself to use eAppoint; this will let you become an appointing entity
- Next, under the Apply button, select the ‘Access eAppoint’
- Once the eAppoint Workbench is open, you can select any of the required tabs by following the instructions
- Here you can choose to Renew Appointment, Terminate Appointment, or New Appointment
- You will have to pay the required appointment fee(s) as well
- These appointments require renewals every 24 months, particularly during the appointees birth month
Keeping Your Florida Adjuster License Active
Do you have your Florida All Lines Adjuster license? If yes, then it’s important to know that you’ll have to keep the license active every few years.
As per the Florida statute, it is imperative to get 24 hours of CE, Continuing Education.
Included in these 24 hours are the Law and Ethics Update, which consists of 5-hours. The remaining 19 hours can be electives.
Please note that it is not allowed to take the same course within a 2-year time frame, no matter what the compliance cycle may be.
This goes for the independent adjusters as they will not receive any extra credit if they take an approved course twice in the 2-years time period.
When applicable, if the licensee is appointed, they won’t require a license renewal for Florida adjusters.
However, there are caveats, such as if the CE requirements are not met, the appointment may get canceled, which in turn can lead to license termination.
Additionally, if it has been more than 48 hours and the licensee has been without an appointment, the license will expire.
An appointment can be updated by simply logging in to MyProfile.
It is important to complete the Florida CE every 2 years and report it.
You can apply for an online course that’s state-approved in order to complete the continuing education course.
These courses can be purchased to fulfill the 24-hour requirement.
Florida Insurance Adjusters License Cost
Now that you know the details about how to get the license, here is some additional information regarding the costs and fees of getting and maintaining the license.
The structure for the Florida Adjuster Licensing Fees is as follows:
- Application Fee: $50
- Florida 6-20 Adjuster License fee: $55
- Fingerprinting Fee: $48.55
- Independent Adjuster Appointment Fee: $60
- License ID Fee: $5
- Renewal Fee: $0
Rules of Reciprocity for the Adjuster License
In the insurance industry, if you already have an adjuster license in another state and hold a home state license, you won’t have to apply for that particular state’s licensing final exam.
That is what reciprocity is all about, and you can take advantage of it if your home state has a reciprocity agreement with the state of Florida.
Different states have different rules and fee structures for reciprocity.
There are a few states that charge as much as $120!
However, on average, you can expect to pay at least $60, or a minimum of $40 per application.
States that don’t have a reciprocal agreement in place with the state of Florida are New York, New Mexico, Hawaii, California, and Arizona.
The state of Florida accepts reciprocity and grants adjusters licenses to those who already have a license in their home state.
For more information, you can visit the Florida Department of Financial Services Contact Information (FLDFS) webpage.
Or, you can also use their mailing address:
Mailing Address: Florida Department of Financial Services
Bureau of Licensing, Room 419
200 East Gaines Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0319
Phone: 850-413-3137
Email: agentlicensing@myfloridacfo.com
Conclusion
If you’re interested in working disaster claims in the state of Florida, you are making the right choice.
With such volatile weather activity, there is always a need in the Certified Adjuster Designation line of work.
Hopefully, having read this article, you know all the state’s requirements to obtain the adjuster license in an easy and simple manner.
