SB 1291 Summary

• Renames the "Insurance Adjuster Act" to the "Independent Insurance Adjuster Act" and redefines an independent insurance adjuster to include individuals, business entities, independent contractors, and employees who contract for compensation with insurers to investigate, negotiate, or settle property and casualty claims.

• Creates an apprentice independent insurance adjuster license valid for up to 12 months to facilitate training and experience, with an application fee up to $80, requiring supervision by a licensed independent insurance adjuster.

• Expands exemptions to include individuals investigating fraudulent claims without adjusting losses, persons performing only administrative or clerical duties, and portable electronics insurance claims handlers, among others.

• Requires all nonresident and emergency license applicants to certify under penalty of perjury that they have read and understood California's most significant property insurance laws, and mandates the Department of Insurance disseminate an annual notice describing these laws to all licensees.

• Establishes that organizations licensed under the chapter must designate an individual licensed as an independent insurance adjuster responsible for state law compliance, effective January 1, 2020, and requires a 3-year reporting period on implementation costs, revenues, and licensing statistics.