The laws on the unauthorized practice of public adjusting (UPPA) make it illegal for individuals without the proper certifications, training, and licenses to represent the interests of property owners who want to settle an insurance claim.
These laws often treat UPPA as a criminal act, with penalties that can include incarceration and fines. You can protect yourself from individuals engaging in UPPA by immediately reaching out to a Houston insurance claims lawyer when you need help recovering financially.
A Lawyer Can Explain Unauthorized Practice of Public Adjusting Laws
Laws against UPPA exist to protect property owners after covered events or natural disasters that result in property damage. These laws provide detailed information about UPPA violations.
UPPA happens when unlicensed individuals attempt to serve as public adjusters to help policyholders settle insurance claims for property damage. These individuals ignore state laws regarding the operation of public adjusters.
For example, individuals engage in UPPA if they do not meet licensure requirements and:
- Provide services for money on a property damage claim
- Receive fees for services provided in connection with an insurance claim
- Represent themself as able to offer services related to adjusting insurance claims
- Manage a commercial or residential property insurance claim
- Interpret insurance policies for policyholders
- Negotiate, adjust, or settle claims for property damage
- Evaluate, appraise, investigate, or advocate for a claimant
- Prepare a claimant’s insurance claim
Any of these actions may break UPPA laws.
Exemptions to Laws on UPPA
UPPA laws provide policyholders with a degree of protection from individuals engaging in fraudulent actions. However, you should know that some exemptions exist for these laws.
For example, UPPA laws will not apply to individuals who work for a licensed insurance company or a licensed public adjuster.
Additionally, some individuals can offer property damage services on behalf of someone else, as long as the other person only plans on offering repair estimates and not on offering settlement advice or verifying losses.
An attorney can tell you more about these exemptions and explain the unauthorized practice of public adjusting laws in more detail.
Who Can Engage in UPPA?
Anyone who tries to misrepresent themselves as a public adjuster without the appropriate licenses and training is engaging in UPPA. We often see these attempts from employees of restoration companies, tradespeople, and roofers.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 941-1041
How Individuals Become Licensed Public Adjusters
Individuals who want to work in public insurance adjusting must go through a strict certification process. This process often involves some form of continuing education and taking an exam to secure a license.
Anyone who ignores these requirements and pretends to work as a public insurance adjuster is engaging in UPPA and could face legal consequences.
How UPPA Can Affect You and Your Insurance Claim
If someone engaging in UPPA takes advantage of you after a disaster that results in property damage, it can impact your life in numerous ways. These individuals often try to arrange schemes where they can carry out low-quality repairs and then pocket money from the insurance company.
Other individuals may try to take your entire insurance payout before cutting contact with you, trying to steal from both you and your insurance company.
These actions could cause insurance companies to raise their rates, resulting in higher bills for policyholders. In other cases, insurers react by reducing the coverage options available to policyholders.
Click to contact our insurance claims lawyers today
How Can You Identify People Engaging in UPPA?
You can protect yourself from UPPA by carefully reviewing the qualifications of potential public adjusters before you make any decisions about getting help after a storm or natural disaster.
You should only hire an adjuster after you’ve carefully reviewed their credentials and feel confident that they can legally perform the duties they promise.
Additionally, if you want to work with a public adjuster, you should look for one who has positive reviews and a reputation for successfully assisting individuals in your situation.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
You Do Not Have to Work with a Public Adjuster
You do not have to rely on help from a public adjuster to get the funds you need to carry out property repairs after a storm or natural disaster. In fact, you can avoid the risks associated with UPPA entirely by relying on an insurance claims lawyer to provide the assistance you need, instead.
An attorney can provide the dedicated support you need when handling the insurance company, while fighting to bring you the funds necessary to cover all of your losses.
Talk to Us About Your Options for Handling Insurance Companies
If you need unauthorized practice of public adjusting laws explained in more detail, you can reach out to our team at Barcus Arenas, PLLC. We have nearly two decades of experience, and we’re fully prepared to answer your questions and assist with your insurance claim.
Our law firm understands what it takes to stand up to insurance companies, and we’re ready to provide the support you deserve, so reach out now.
Call or text (800) 941-1041 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
