INSURANCE: Provides relative to public adjusters

HLS 26RS-1112 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 600
BY REPRESENTATIVE VENTRELLA
INSURANCE: Provides relative to public adjusters
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 22:1692(introductory paragraph) and (8)(introductory paragraph)
3 and (a) and 1703(A) and to enact R.S. 22:1692(8)(c), relative to public adjusters; to
4 provide for definitions; to restrict certain public adjuster fees; and to provide for
5 related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 22:1692(introductory paragraph) and (8)(introductory paragraph) and
8 (a) and 1703(A) are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S. 22:1692(8)(c) is hereby
9 enacted to read as follows:
10 §1692. Definitions
11 As used in this Part, unless the context requires otherwise, the following
12 definitions shall be are applicable:
13 * * *
14 (8) "Public adjusting" means either any of the following:
15 (a) Investigating, appraising, or evaluating and reporting to an insured in
16 relation to a first-party claim for which coverage is provided by an insurance contract
17 that insures the property of the insured. Public adjusting does not include acting in
18 any manner in relation to claims for damages to or arising out of the operation of a
19 motor vehicle. Public adjusting does not include any activities which may constitute
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-1112 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 600
1 the unauthorized practice of law. Nothing in this Part shall be considered as
2 permitting the unauthorized practice of law.
3 * * *
4 (c) Acting or aiding, solely in relation to first-party claims arising under
5 insurance contracts that insure the real or personal property of the insured, on behalf
6 of an insured in negotiating for, or effecting the settlement of, a claim for loss or
7 damage covered by an insurance contract. Public adjusting does not include acting
8 in any manner in relation to claims for damages to or arising out of the operation of
9 a motor vehicle. Public adjusting does not include any activities which may
10 constitute the unauthorized practice of law. Nothing in this Part shall be considered
11 as permitting the unauthorized practice of law.
12 * * *
13 §1703. Public adjuster fees
14 A. A public adjuster may charge the insured a reasonable fee. A public
15 adjuster shall not solicit for or enter into any contract or arrangement between an
16 insured and a public adjuster which provides for payment of a fee to the public
17 adjuster which is contingent upon, or calculated as a percentage of, the amount of
18 any claim or claims paid to or on behalf of an insured by the insurer and any such
19 contract shall be against public policy and is null and void. which exceeds ten
20 percent for any catastrophic insurance claim settlement or exceeds fifteen percent for
21 any insurance claim settlement.
22 * * *
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 600 Original 2026 Regular Session Ventrella
Abstract: Revises definition of the term public adjusting. Prohibits certain public adjuster
fees.
Present law defines the term public adjusting.
Proposed law retains present law and expands the public adjusting definition.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-1112 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 600
Proposed law restricts certain public adjuster fees involving claims that exceed 10% for any
catastrophic insurance claim settlement or 15% for any insurance claim settlement.
(Amends R.S. 22:1692(intro. para.) and (8)(intro. para.) and (a) and R.S. 22:1703(A); Adds
R.S. 22:1692(8)(c))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.