Indiana Public Adjuster Bond: A Comprehensive Guide

This guide provides information for insurance agents to help their customers obtain an Indiana Public Adjuster bond

At a Glance:

• Average Cost: $100 per year or $10 per month
• Bond Amount: $10,000
• Who Needs it: All public adjusters operating in Indiana
• Purpose: To protect insureds from financial harm if the public adjuster commits fraud or fails to pay them all funds owed
• Who Regulates Public Adjusters in Indiana: The Indiana Department of Insurance
  

Background

Indiana Statute 27-1-27-2 requires all public adjusters operating in the state to obtain a license from the Department of Insurance. The Indiana legislature enacted the licensing requirement to ensure that public adjusters do not engage in unethical business practices. To provide financial security for the enforcement of the licensing law, public adjusters must purchase and maintain a $10,000 surety bond to be eligible for licensure.

What is the Purpose of the Indiana Public Adjuster Bond?

Indiana requires public adjusters to purchase a surety bond as part of the application process to obtain a license. The bond ensures that insureds will receive compensation for financial harm if the public adjuster fails to abide by the regulations outlined in Indiana Code 27-1-27-4. Specifically, the bond protects insureds if the public adjuster commits fraud or fails to pay all claims funds owed. In short, the bond is a type of insurance that protects insureds if the public adjuster violates the terms of their license.

How Can an Insurance Agent Obtain an Indiana Public Adjuster Surety Bond?

BondExchange makes obtaining an Indiana Public Adjuster bond easy. Simply log in to your account and use our keyword search to find the “public adjuster” bond in our database. Don’t have a login? Gain access now and let us help you satisfy your customers’ needs. Our friendly underwriting staff is available by phone at (800) 438-1162, email, or chat from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM EST to assist you.

At BondExchange, our 40 years of experience, leading technology, and access to markets ensures that we have the knowledge and resources to provide your clients with fast and friendly service whether obtaining quotes or issuing bonds.

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Is a Credit Check Required for the Indiana Public Adjuster Bond?

No, a credit check is not required for the Indiana Public Adjuster bond. Because the bond is considered relatively low risk, the same rate is offered to all public adjusters in Indiana regardless of their credit history.

How Much Does the Indiana Public Adjuster Bond Cost?

The Indiana Public Adjuster bond costs just $100 per year or $10 per month.

Who is Required to Purchase the Indiana Public Adjuster Bond?

Indiana requires public adjusters to purchase a surety bond as a prerequisite to obtaining a professional license. To paraphrase Indiana Statute 27-1-27-1, a public adjuster is a person that acts on the behalf of or aids insureds in negotiating the settlement of insurance claims for personal or real property.

Exemptions to this definition include:

• Licensed attorneys
• Employees or an attorney in fact of an insurer that adjusts losses arising from the insurer’s own policies
• Adjustment bureaus and associations, and their employees, that are owned and maintained by an insurer to adjust or investigate losses
• Representatives of a farm mutual insurance company operating on behalf of an insurer
• Independent adjusters representing an insurer

BondExchange now offers monthly pay-as-you-go subscriptions for surety bonds. Your customers are able to purchase their bonds on a monthly basis and cancel them anytime. Learn more here.

How Do Public Adjusters Obtain a License in Indiana?

Public adjusters in Indiana must navigate several steps to obtain a license. Below are the general guidelines, but applicants should refer to the state’s licensing page for details on the process.

License – All Indiana Public Adjuster Licenses expire on December 31 of each year

Step 1 – Complete the Exam

Public adjusters must complete a state exam administered by Pearson Vue. Public adjusters can register for the exam here and access study materials here. Before registering for the exam, public adjusters must request a certificate to do so by emailing [email protected]. Applicants that have been adjusting policies of insurance within Indiana as their principal occupation for at least one year before applying for a license are exempt from the exam requirement.

Step 2 – Purchase a Surety Bond

Public adjusters must purchase and maintain a $10,000 surety bond

Step 3 – Complete the Application

All Indiana Public Adjuster License applications can be submitted online here. Public adjusters must complete the application in its entirety, and pay a $50 fee.

How do Indiana Public Adjusters Renew Their Licenses?

Public adjusters should submit their completed renewal applications, including a $50 fee, online here. Adjusters must submit a continuation certificate for their surety bond with their application. There are no continuing education requirements for public adjusters seeking to renew their licenses. All Indiana Public Adjuster Licenses expire on December 31 of each year.

What are the Insurance Requirements for Public Adjusters in Indiana?

Indiana does not require public adjusters to purchase any form of liability insurance as a prerequisite to obtaining a license. Public adjusters must purchase and maintain a $10,000 surety bond.

How do Indiana Public Adjusters File Their Bonds?

Public adjusters in Indiana should submit their completed bond forms, including the power of attorney, electronically when submitting their license applications. The surety bond requires signatures from the surety company and the public adjuster. The surety company should include the following information on the bond form:

• Legal name, city, and state of the individual buying the bond
• Surety company’s name
• Date the bond is signed

What Can Indiana Public Adjusters Do to Avoid Claims Made Against Their Bonds?

To avoid claims against their bonds, public adjusters in Indiana must follow all license regulations in the state, including some of the most important issues below that tend to cause claims:

• Do not commit fraud
• Pay all funds owed to insureds

What Other Insurance Products Can Agents Offer Public Adjusters in Indiana?

Most reputable public adjusters will purchase business liability insurance. Bonds are our only business at BondExchange, so we do not issue any other types of insurance, but our agents often utilize brokers for this specific line of business. A list of brokers in this space can be found here.

How Can Insurance Agents Prospect for Indiana Public Adjusters?

Agents can prospect for Indiana public adjusters online here (lists generated on a city-by-city basis). Contact BondExchange for additional marketing resources. Agents can also leverage our print-mail relationships for discounted mailing services.