Coleman’s Consumer Protection Bill Passes Senate Committee

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Senate Banking and Insurance Committee unanimously approved legislation authored by Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-16) that would implement important consumer protections in the property and casualty insurance marketplace.

Senate Bill 1074 would update Pennsylvania's Public Adjuster Licensing Law that was last amended in 2012, bringing it into conformity with current national standards and industry best practices.

Unlike insurance adjusters who work for a policy holder's insurance company, licensed public adjusters are hired by and represent the insured property owner, assisting them with filing claims and negotiating with their insurance company. Public adjusters, and unlicensed individuals unlawfully acting as public adjusters, will often solicit property owners immediately after traumatic fire or weather-related disaster events.

Introduced by Coleman in response to complaints about public adjusters received by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department as well as a nationwide effort by states and the industry to implement standards and best practices, Senate Bill 1074 includes important consumer protection safeguards like required disclosures, contract cancellation provisions, bonding requirements, conflict of interest prohibitions, commission limits and penalties for acting in an unlicensed capacity.

"Home and small business owners who have just experienced a loss from a fire or powerful storm shouldn't have to worry about egregious practices or terms in the fine print of a hastily signed contract from someone who stops by saying they want to help them recover," Coleman said. "My legislation recognizes that public adjusters play an important role in the insurance industry, and consumers should be able to feel confident in contracting with them if their services are desired."

Senate Bill 1074 now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

CONTACT: Leo Knepper