VA HB437

Defines "unauthorized practice of public adjusting" as providing public adjusting services without the required license and establishes it as grounds for license suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew.

Expands the definition of "negotiate" to include investigating, evaluating, preparing claims, and advocating on behalf of policyholders in first-party property insurance claims.

Prohibits public adjusters from adjusting claims where the policyholder has assigned duties, rights, or benefits to a contractor in violation of existing law, and bars adjusters from acting as appraisers on claims they have adjusted.

Adds new prohibited conduct including financially exploiting vulnerable adults, receiving kickbacks or rebates incident to public adjusting contracts, and advising policyholders to accept disadvantageous settlements.

Requires public adjuster information security programs to comply with existing insurance data security laws and authorizes the Commission to refer suspected fund misappropriation cases to local prosecutors.