For policyholders
Hiring licensed professionals
Louisiana law requires anyone adjusting insurance claims on your behalf to hold a public adjuster license. Verify it before you sign anything.
Stay vigilant
Working with properly licensed professionals protects your rights and keeps someone accountable for the work. That license is issued by the Louisiana Department of Insurance, and holding it is what makes an adjuster answerable to a regulator.
Unlicensed individuals sometimes offer claim-related services they are not legally authorized to provide. This harms consumers and undercuts the licensed professionals who meet Louisiana’s regulatory standards.
Always verify licensing before hiring anyone to assist with your insurance claim.
Louisiana statutes
Licensing & unauthorized practice — La. R.S. § 22:1693
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Unauthorized practice is a criminal offense. Individuals face up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Business entities face fines of up to $5,000.
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Only licensed persons may directly or indirectly solicit business, investigate, or adjust claims on behalf of an insured.
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No person may act or hold themselves out as a public adjuster in Louisiana unless licensed under this part.
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Exemptions include attorneys in good standing and individuals who provide only technical assistance.
Warning signs
Unlicensed individuals often make unsolicited approaches to consumers, especially after a disaster or during hurricane season. Any one of these is reason enough to stop and check a license.
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Vague job titles
They call themselves “loss consultants” or “insurance specialists,” or work for an “inspection and insurance division,” rather than identifying as licensed public adjusters.
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Restoration company handling claims
The business is a restoration contractor with no licensed public adjuster on staff, yet offers to handle your claim negotiations.
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Guaranteed outcomes
They guarantee a specific claim result, or promise to waive your deductible — a promise that may itself violate insurance regulations.
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Payment to file
They offer financial incentives to file a claim — paying you to have your home inspected, or offering referral fees for friends and family.
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Contractors negotiating claims
A roofing or construction contractor offers to file claims, negotiate with your insurer, or fight a denial on your behalf without a public adjuster license.
Note: This information is for educational purposes only. The presence or absence of any particular characteristic does not definitively establish whether someone is properly licensed. Always verify credentials through official state licensing authorities before hiring anyone to assist with an insurance claim.
Report suspected violations
If you suspect unlicensed practice or improper business conduct, report it to the Louisiana Department of Insurance.