New rules seek to establish uniform standards for public adjusters

NEW YORK, September 23, 2026 – A broad-based coalition of more than 16 established public adjusters, insurance attorneys, and prominent industry professionals, today announced the creation of a formal Public Adjusting Code of Professional Conduct.

According to the Coalition, the PA COPC establishes a uniform standard of professional conduct for public adjusters practicing in any jurisdiction of the United States. It draws upon the NAIC Public Adjuster Licensing Model Act, the ethical framework of the American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct, and the consensus standards developed by national industry associations.

Public adjusters are licensed professionals who represent policyholders in the negotiation and settlement of insurance claims. As advocates for the insured, public adjusters occupy a position of trust and bear significant responsibility to the public, to the insurance system, and to the integrity of the claims process.

The code, which is being offered for adoption by insurance regulators, professional associations and individual practitioners in all U.S. states and jurisdictions, addresses competence, continuing education, supervision, evidence, conflicts of interest, solicitation, client communication, and accountability.

“In recent years, the large number of natural catastrophes in the U.S. has fueled widespread demand for public adjusting services,” said Jeffrey Major, founder and CEO, Skyline Adjusters and member of the Public Adjuster Code of Professional Conduct Coalition. “At the same time, however, these circumstances have attracted some unscrupulous actors to the profession, whose lack of qualifications and integrity are damaging the industry’s reputation. 

“Once the code is adopted, compliance by public adjusters will be a mark of professional commitment to the highest standards of conduct in the representation of policyholders,” he continued. “It will also give policyholders a clear understanding of what to expect when they engage public adjusters for assistance with their insurance claims.” 

The Coalition is now focusing on creating The Public Adjuster Code of Conduct Board whose stated mission will be to promote a standard of professionalism, ethical practice, and public trust for the public adjusting profession throughout the U.S. The Board will develop and administer publicly available procedures for code violations and their consequences. Members hope the PA COPC will become the standard which public adjusters strive to achieve, as well as the standard the industry and public can expect.