The licensing rule
Under Fla. Stat. 626.854, negotiating a claim on behalf of an insured without a public adjuster license is unauthorized practice: even by a licensed contractor.
Why the distinction matters
- Conflicts of interest (contractor wants maximum scope, insured's best interest may be different)
- Separation of estimate and work enables independent valuation
- Insurer scrutiny
Best practice
- PA handles the claim
- Contractor performs the work
- Both collaborate on scope