Adjuster Agent – Can Someone Be Both Simultaneously?
Our HQ state North Carolina, now allows adjuster agents. Yes, you can be an adjuster and an agent at the same time. The licensing development started on June 1, 2024. I was surprised to see the Tar Heel State allow someone to adjust claims and sell policies. It was a good move by the NC Department of Insurance and the NC State Legislature. You can see the notice here.
The legal term is Insurance Producer. I will use ‘agent’ in place of ‘insurance producer’.
Let us look at:
- Steps on how I became a licensed NC insurance agent
- Advantages of holding both licenses
- Other states that allow adjuster agent licenses
Adjuster Agent Steps
An adjuster cannot just file a form and pay a fee to become an agent. The potential adjuster agent starts like anyone else who desires a producer license. The best place to start can be found here.
One will need to accomplish these steps (as I had to) for each line of authority:
- Fill out the application at NIPR.com
- Submit fingerprints – local county police station
- Background check – local county police station
- Pre-licensing course exemptions – my ARM designation worked well here. If no exemption, pre-licensing courses are required
- Pass test – not easy
Do not think that you can walk in cold and pass the adjuster agent test. You will have to pass a test for each line of insurance. I decided to purchase an exam prep course. Some of the prep course was a review of much of the adjuster information.
Independent agents have to purchase a $15,000 surety bond for each line of insurance.
From NCDOI
Further, there is no longer an examination exception if switching from an adjuster license to an
insurance producer license or from an insurance producer license to an adjuster license.
If you want to add the adjuster license in North Carolina, you must meet the examination
requirement set forth in G.S. 58-33-30(e). If you want to add an additional line of authority for
casualty, personal lines, or property to your North Carolina insurance producer license, you
must meet the fingerprint and background check, pre-licensing course(s), and examination
requirements for that line of authority. License applications are entered online at NIPR.com.
Advantages of Adjuster Agent License
I am often asked by insurance adjusters on how to expand/branch out in a career path. My first suggestion remains as always – obtain your insurance designations – AIC, ARM, CPCU, and others.
My second now appears to be – check out your state to see if you can be dually licensed.
Becoming an adjuster agent (Insurance Producer) may be a great way to expand or switch your career path. The insurance producer test prep course and exam expanded my insurance policy knowledge quickly.
States That Already Allow Dual Licenses
I am not going to cover any states that allow adjuster agent licenses. I have found a source that says some states do require adjuster licenses, so you do not need to have a dual license. I am not sure of that advice. I do not want to give out any legal advice, correct or incorrect.
To contact your state’s Department of Insurance, please go here.
If you know of a list of states that allow an adjuster agent license, please add it to the comments below. Thanks.
