Pennsylvania Governor Signs House Bill 1972: Public Adjuster Fees Capped at 10% for Catastrophic Claims
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has signed House Bill 1972 into law, updating the state's public adjuster law and strengthening protections for homeowners, businesses and families navigating insurance claims after a loss. The bill was sponsored by Representative Robert Merski; the Shapiro administration, including the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, worked with the General Assembly to advance it, and it passed both the House and Senate unanimously. News of the signing was reported on November 2.
The new law caps public adjuster fees at 10% for catastrophic claims and 20% for other claims — the prior law had no cap — helping consumers keep more of their insurance recovery. It also expands cancellation rights, requires pre-contract disclosures, bars adjusters from holding a financial interest in repair or reconstruction work tied to a claim they handle, prohibits kickbacks from contractors, and requires insurers to verify adjusters' licenses and report suspected unlicensed activity. The minimum surety bond for public adjusters doubles from $20,000 to $40,000.
Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys said families recovering from a fire, storm or other devastating event should not have to worry about excessive fees, hidden conflicts or individuals operating outside the law. The governor's office said the bill reflects national best practices adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Public adjusters are professionals who handle claims on behalf of policyholders rather than insurance companies.
(Source: Insurance Journal)
Source: Insurance Journal
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于哈里斯堡的宾夕法尼亚州议会大厦圆形大厅。Acroteion 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: The rotunda of the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg. By Acroteion, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
