NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance Urges Adjusters to Maintain Reasonable Fees
On December 20, 2012, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (NJDOBI) issued a bulletin warning public adjusters to keep their fees reasonable with respect to services provided to consumers. This bulletin is a reaction to complaints that adjusters have been charging excessive fees in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The NJDOBI stated that it does not anticipate a need to depart from the normal 10-15% fee scale for Sandy claims. The bulletin also reminds adjusters that they must keep detailed records that itemize the hours worked and actions performed for each claim in order to establish the “reasonableness” of the fee. The bulletin cautions that the NJDOBI will scrutinize fees that appear excessive. If the NJDOBI deems a fee to be unreasonable, the adjuster may have its license terminated or be subject to fines.