§1671. License

A. Unless denied licensure pursuant to this Part, persons who have met the requirements of this Part shall be issued a claims adjuster license. The license shall contain the licensee's name, business address, license number, date of issuance, expiration date, and any other information the commissioner of insurance deems necessary. A claims adjuster may receive qualification for a license in one or more of the following lines of authority:

(1) Property and casualty.

(2) Workers' compensation.

(3) Crop.

(4) Any limited line pursuant to R.S. 22:1666.

B.(1) A claims adjuster license shall remain in effect unless revoked, terminated, suspended, or denied renewal or reinstatement, as long as the request for renewal has been filed, the fee set forth in R.S. 22:821 has been paid, and any other requirements for license renewal are met by the due date.

(2) Every licensed claims adjuster shall file an application for renewal of his license every two years, by notifying the commissioner of insurance using methods required by the commissioner of insurance, of the licensee's intention to continue his license.

C. The licensee shall inform the commissioner of insurance by any means acceptable to the commissioner of insurance of a change of address, change of legal name, or change of information submitted on the application within thirty days of the change. Failure to file a change within the required time shall subject the licensee to a fifty dollar fine per violation. Any person against whom a penalty has been levied shall be given due notice of such action. Upon receipt of this notice, the licensee may apply for and shall be entitled to a hearing in accordance with Chapter 12 of this Title, R.S. 22:2191 et seq.

D. A claims adjuster doing business under any name other than the claims adjuster's legal name is required to notify the commissioner of insurance prior to using the assumed name. Prior to the use of or changes to any trade name or names, a claims adjuster shall provide written notification of such use or change to the commissioner, on a form prescribed by the commissioner of insurance. A certified copy of registration from the secretary of state shall accompany the application for a trade name. The use by any claims adjuster of a nonapproved trade name shall subject such person to a fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars. Additionally, if the claims adjuster continues to use a nonapproved trade name for ten or more days after being notified by the commissioner of insurance to cease using the nonapproved trade name, the claims adjuster shall be subject to an additional fine not to exceed five thousand dollars. If applicable, a claims adjuster shall comply with the provisions of R.S. 51:281 et seq.

E. A licensed claims adjuster shall be subject to R.S. 22:1961 et seq., relative to unfair trade practices, and R.S. 22:1921 et seq., relative to insurance fraud.

F. A licensed claims adjuster who allows his license to lapse may, within twenty-four months from the expiration date of the license, reinstate the same license upon proof of fulfilling all continuing education requirements through the date of reinstatement and upon payment of all fees due. If the license has been lapsed for more than twenty-four months, the applicant shall fulfill the requirements for issuance of a new license.

G. A licensed claims adjuster who is unable to comply with license renewal procedures due to military service, long-term medical disability, or other extenuating circumstance, may request a waiver of those procedures. The licensed claims adjuster may also request a waiver of any examination requirement, fine, or other sanction imposed for failure to comply with renewal procedures.

H. To assist in his licensing duties, the commissioner of insurance may contract with nongovernmental entities, including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) or any affiliates or subsidiaries that the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) oversees to perform any ministerial functions, including the collection of fees and data, related to licensing that the commissioner of insurance may deem appropriate.

Acts 2006, No. 783, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Redesignated from R.S. 22:1210.81 by Acts 2008, No. 415, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 317, §1; Acts 2011, No. 94, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2012; Acts 2016, No. 174, §1.