Iowa Code r. 191-55.17 - Standards of conduct of public adjuster

(1) A public adjuster shall serve with objectivity and complete loyalty the interest of the insured and shall render to the insured in good faith such information, counsel and service, as within the knowledge, understanding and opinion of the licensed public adjuster, as will best serve the insured's insurance claim needs and interest.

(2) A public adjuster shall not solicit, or attempt to solicit, an insured during the progress of a loss-producing occurrence, as defined in the insured's insurance contract.

(3) A public adjuster shall not permit an unlicensed employee or representative of the public adjuster to conduct business for which a license is required under this chapter or Iowa Code chapter 522C.

(4) A public adjuster shall not have a direct or indirect financial interest in any aspect of the claim, other than the salary, fee, commission or other consideration established in the written contract with the insured, unless full written disclosure has been made to the insured as set forth in subrule 55.14(4).

(5) A public adjuster shall not acquire any interest in salvage of property subject to the contract with the insured unless the public adjuster obtains written permission from the insured after settlement of the claim with the insurer as set forth in subrule 55.14(4).

(6) The public adjuster shall abstain from referring or directing the insured to obtain needed repairs or services in connection with a loss from any person, unless disclosed to the insured:

a. With whom the public adjuster has a financial interest; or

b. From whom the public adjuster may receive direct or indirect compensation for the referral.

(7) Licensed public adjusters may not solicit an insured for employment between the hours of 8 p.m. and 9 a.m.

(8) Any compensation or anything of value in connection with an insured's specific loss that will be received by a public adjuster shall be disclosed by the public adjuster to the insured in writing, including the source and amount of any such compensation.

(9) A public adjuster shall not undertake the adjustment of any claim if the public adjuster is not competent and knowledgeable as to the terms and conditions of the insurance coverage, or if the loss or coverage otherwise exceeds the public adjuster's current expertise.

(10) A public adjuster shall not knowingly make any false oral or written material statements regarding any person engaged in the business of insurance to any insured or potential insured.

(11) No public adjuster, while so licensed by the division, may represent or act as a company adjuster or independent adjuster in any circumstance.

(12) A public adjuster shall not enter into a contract or accept a power of attorney that vests in the public adjuster the effective authority to choose the persons who shall perform repair work.

(13) A public adjuster may not agree to any loss settlement without the insured's knowledge and consent.

(14) Authorization and notice of claim payments.

a. If the public adjuster and the insured contract for the public adjuster to be named as a co-payee on any claim payments issued by the insurance company, the public adjuster shall obtain written authorization from the insured in order for the public adjuster to sign or endorse a payment, draft, or check on behalf of an insured.

b. The authorization can be withdrawn by the insured at any time upon written notice to the public adjuster. Authorization and notice may be given and received through electronic means in compliance with Iowa Code section 554D.110. All records of authorization and notice must be maintained by the public adjuster in compliance with rule 191-55.16 (522C).

c. If the public adjuster is granted authorization and receives a check, the public adjuster must do the following:

(1) Endorse the check or payment for deposit only into the public adjuster's non-interest-bearing escrow or trust account; and

(2) Notify the insured of the deposit of funds no later than five business days after receipt by the public adjuster.

Notes

Iowa Code r. 191-55.17

ARC 5250C, IAB 11/4/20, effective 12/9/20; ARC 6120C, IAB 12/29/21, effective 2/2/22

Amended by IAB November 4, 2020/Volume XLIII, Number 10, effective 12/9/2020 Amended by IAB December 29, 2021/Volume XLIV, Number 13, effective 2/2/2022