Regulatory Oversight: Georgia's Insurance Adjuster Licensing And Compliance

The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire is the authority that governs insurance adjusters in Georgia. The office oversees the licensing of insurance agents, subagents, adjusters, and counsellors. To obtain a Georgia adjuster license, individuals must complete pre-exam education, pass the Georgia insurance adjuster exam, undergo a fingerprint and background check, and submit their licensing application to the Georgia Department of Insurance.

The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire governs insurance adjusters in Georgia

The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire is the governing authority for insurance adjusters in Georgia. This department oversees the licensing of insurance agents, subagents, adjusters, and counselors.

To obtain a Georgia adjuster license, several steps need to be completed. Firstly, individuals must complete pre-exam education to gain foundational knowledge in claims adjusting, basic insurance information, state laws, and professional ethics. The number of credit hours required depends on the desired line of authority (type of license). For example, the Independent Adjuster Insurance line requires 40 hours of pre-license education.

The next step is to take and pass the Georgia insurance adjuster exam in the chosen area of specialization. The Independent Adjuster exam, for instance, consists of 100 questions to be completed within two hours. A passing score of 70% or more is required.

Subsequently, individuals must undergo a mandatory fingerprint and background check for identity verification. This step is crucial as any prior misdemeanors or felonies may impact the outcome of the licensing process.

Finally, applicants submit their licensing application to the Georgia Department of Insurance, along with the required documentation and fees. The total cost of obtaining an adjuster license in Georgia, including pre-licensing education, exam fees, and application submission, is approximately $428.

It is important to note that Georgia recognizes four main types of insurance adjusters: staff adjusters, independent adjusters, catastrophe adjusters, and public adjusters. While staff, independent, and catastrophe adjusters require the same type of license, becoming a public adjuster entails additional steps, such as obtaining a standard adjuster license, gaining work experience, and passing an additional exam.

The Georgia Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook provides detailed information on licensing

The Georgia Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook is a comprehensive resource for individuals seeking to obtain a Georgia insurance license. It provides detailed information on the licensing process, making it a valuable guide for candidates.

The handbook covers various topics, including:

• Licensing requirements: The handbook outlines the specific requirements that candidates need to meet to obtain a Georgia insurance license. This includes information on the necessary education, examinations, and application procedures.
• Prelicensing education: Candidates can find information about the prelicensing education requirements, including the number of hours needed and the approved courses they can take to fulfil this requirement.
• Licensing exams: The handbook provides an overview of the structure and content of the licensing exams, including the types of questions asked and the passing score required. It also includes information on scheduling and registering for the exams.
• Citizenship affidavit: Details on completing and submitting the necessary Citizenship Affidavit form, along with the required identification documents, are outlined in the handbook.
• License application process: Candidates can find step-by-step instructions on how to apply for their Georgia insurance license through the Sircon or NIPR websites. The handbook also mentions the associated fees and the documents that need to be submitted with the application.
• Fingerprinting and background checks: Information on the fingerprinting process, including the approved vendors and the associated fees, is provided in the handbook. It also mentions the background check process and how it can impact the licensing application.
• License renewal: The handbook includes information on the requirements for renewing a Georgia insurance license, such as the renewal period and any continuing education credits needed.
• Contact information: Candidates can find contact details for the relevant authorities, such as the Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, within the handbook. This enables them to seek further guidance or clarification if needed.

The Georgia Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook is a valuable resource for individuals seeking to obtain a Georgia insurance license. It provides clear and detailed instructions on the licensing process, ensuring that candidates have the information they need to successfully navigate the requirements and obtain their license.

Pre-exam education is required to solidify foundational knowledge

In the state of Georgia, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire governs insurance adjusters. This office oversees the licensing of insurance adjusters, and requires them to complete pre-exam education to solidify foundational knowledge before they can take the Georgia insurance adjuster exam.

The first step to becoming a licensed insurance adjuster in Georgia is to take pre-license education courses. These courses are required by the state and cover topics such as claims adjusting, basic insurance information, state laws and mandates, and professional ethics. The number of credit hours required for the pre-license education depends on the lines of authority (types of licenses) the applicant wishes to attain. For example, the Independent Adjuster Insurance line requires 40 hours of pre-license education.

Completing the pre-license education requirement will prepare candidates to pass the Georgia insurance adjuster license exam. This exam is proctored, meaning it is administered in a controlled environment with a person overseeing the test-takers. The Georgia insurance adjuster exam consists of 100 questions, and candidates are given 2 hours to complete it. A passing score of 70% or higher is required.

After successfully passing the exam, candidates can proceed to complete the remaining steps to obtain their Georgia insurance adjuster license. These steps include a mandatory fingerprint and background check for identity verification, and submitting the licensing application to the Georgia Department of Insurance.

A mandatory fingerprint and background check are part of the licensing process

The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire governs insurance adjusters in Georgia. The licensing of insurance adjusters is overseen by this office.

Mandatory Fingerprint and Background Check

The State of Georgia requires that all insurance license applicants provide fingerprints prior to licensing. This is a mandatory step in the process and will initiate a background check. The background check will also cover any prior misdemeanours or felonies.

The Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner reviews the background check as part of the application process. The outcome of the background check may result in the Department of Insurance requesting more information or documentation.

The fingerprinting services are provided by Fieldprint, and the fee for this service is $51.50. This fee covers the cost of comparing fingerprints against criminal history records.

The mandatory fingerprinting and background check are an essential part of the process to become a licensed insurance adjuster in Georgia.

Public adjusters are independent insurance adjusters hired by customers

In the state of Georgia, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire governs insurance adjusters. The commissioner's office oversees the licensing of insurance agents, subagents, adjusters, and counselors.

Public adjusters are licensed professionals who must pass a strict background check and may have to complete an apprenticeship. They typically charge a percentage of the total claim payout, ranging from 3% to 30% of the settlement amount. In Georgia, public adjusters must have their contract pre-approved by the commissioner before working with consumers.

Public adjusters are often placed in adversarial positions with independent adjusters, who are hired by insurance companies to represent their interests in the settlement of a claim. Independent adjusters are typically contracted by an independent adjusting firm, which is hired by the insurance company when there is a high volume of claims or in the event of a catastrophe.

Frequently asked questions