How Do I Become a Home Insurance Adjuster in Georgia?

Home insurance adjuster inspect damage to assess insurance claims.

A home insurance adjuster inspects damage to insured homes to calculate an amount for insurance settlements. The Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner issues several types of licenses to Georgia insurance adjusters. Applicants interested in claims adjustment for homes must attend specified educational insurance courses and pass an exam to qualify as a home insurance adjuster. Successful applicants can obtain an adjuster's license and perform work for home owners or insurance companies in Georgia.

Things You'll Need

• Bond form
• School completion certificate
• Exam report
• License application
• Internet access

Instructions

1. Decide which type of license you wish to obtain. Georgia home insurance adjusters must obtain a license as either an adjuster or a public adjuster. An adjuster works exclusively for insurance companies or adjusting firms. Similarly, a public adjuster works only for home owners. Choose only one of these license types before commencing with your training.

2. Complete a 40-hour Property and Casualty course. Both adjusters and public adjusters complete the same course. Select the "Pre-Licensing Property and Casualty" option in the provider search tool (see References 1). Use the search tool to find an approved school and course in your area. Contact the schools to make arrangements to attend the Property and Casualty course. Get a certificate of completion from the provider.

3. Use the books and materials from your course to prepare for the exam. You may also use the exam content outlines provided by Pearson VUE to assist you in learning the topics for the exam (see References 2). Pearson VUE is the administrator of Georgia insurance exams. The "Candidate Exam Handbook" also has several additional study materials you can use to supplement your preparation for the exam (see References 3).

4. Schedule and take the "Adjuster" or "Public Adjuster" exam. As of 2010, the fee is $90 for either exam. You may call 800-274-0488 and pay by credit card, debit card, electronic check, or voucher. You may pay by check or money order, payable to Pearson VUE, if purchasing a voucher with the form in the exam handbook. Use the fax form in the handbook to pay by fax. Mail the voucher request to the following address:

   Pearson VUE
   c/o AP Voucher Program
   P.O. Box 41508
   Philadelphia, PA 19101
   Phone: [phone]
   Fax: [phone]
   pearsonvue.com

5. Submit electronic fingerprints. Follow the instructions on the "GAPS Registration Process" page to schedule a fingerprinting session (see References 4). You may pay by credit card online or money order at the fingerprinting site. Make the money order payable to Cogent Systems--GAPS. As of 2010, the fee is $52.90.

6. Obtain a $5000 bond from a local bonding company when applying as a public adjuster. Have the bonding company fill out the "Public Adjuster Bond" form (see References 5).

7. Fill out the license application form and have it notarized (see Resources). All Georgia insurance licenses use the same form. As of 2010, the license and application fees for either an adjuster or public adjuster are $65. You may pay by check or money order, payable to Georgia Insurance Department. Send the application, fees, passing report from Pearson VUE, school certificate of completion and bond form to the following address:

   Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner
   Agents Licensing Section
   2 MLK, Jr. Drive
   908 West Tower, Floyd Building
   Atlanta, GA 30334
   404-656-2101
   gainsurance.org

Tips & Warnings

• Nonresidents who already have an out-of-state license may apply without taking the courses or exam. However, they also need to send a clearance letter from the home state's licensing authority within 90 days of the application.

References

• Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner: Search Tool for Course Providers
• Pearson VUE: Examination Content Outline
• Pearson VUE: Candidate Exam Handbook
• Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner: GAPS Registration Process
• Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner: Public Adjuster Bond

Resources

• Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner: Insurance License Application