The Florida Senate

626.865  Public adjuster's qualifications, bond.--

(1)  The department shall issue a license to an applicant for a public adjuster's license upon determining that the applicant has paid the applicable fees specified in s. 624.501 and possesses the following qualifications:

(a)  Is a natural person at least 18 years of age.

(b)  Is a United States citizen or legal alien who possesses work authorization from the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and a bona fide resident of this state.

(c)  Is trustworthy and has such business reputation as would reasonably assure that the applicant will conduct his or her business as insurance adjuster fairly and in good faith and without detriment to the public.

(d)  Has had sufficient experience, training, or instruction concerning the adjusting of damages or losses under insurance contracts, other than life and annuity contracts, is sufficiently informed as to the terms and effects of the provisions of those types of insurance contracts, and possesses adequate knowledge of the laws of this state relating to such contracts as to enable and qualify him or her to engage in the business of insurance adjuster fairly and without injury to the public or any member thereof with whom the applicant may have business as a public adjuster.

(e)  Has passed any required written examination.

(2)  At the time of application for license as a public adjuster, the applicant shall file with the department a bond executed and issued by a surety insurer authorized to transact such business in this state, in the amount of $50,000, conditioned for the faithful performance of his or her duties as a public adjuster under the license applied for. The bond shall be in favor of the department and shall specifically authorize recovery by the department of the damages sustained in case the licensee is guilty of fraud or unfair practices in connection with his or her business as public adjuster. The aggregate liability of the surety for all such damages shall in no event exceed the amount of the bond. Such bond shall not be terminated unless at least 30 days' written notice is given to the licensee and filed with the department.

History.--s. 328, ch. 59-205; s. 4, ch. 65-16; ss. 13, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 77-116; s. 53, ch. 77-121; s. 3, ch. 81-282; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 280, 293, 807, 810, ch. 82-243; s. 37, ch. 82-386; ss. 142, 206, 207, ch. 90-363; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 286, ch. 97-102; s. 55, ch. 98-199; s. 977, ch. 2003-261; s. 58, ch. 2003-267; s. 51, ch. 2003-281; s. 117, ch. 2004-5; s. 57, ch. 2004-390.