If you are applying for a Florida public adjuster license, a public adjuster apprentice appointment, or a nonresident public adjuster license, you will need a $50,000 surety bond filed with the Florida Department of Financial Services. The bond is required by Florida law before the Department will issue or renew your license, and it protects consumers if a licensee is found guilty of fraud or unfair practices.
Surety Bond Authority has been writing surety bonds since 1971. We work with Florida public adjusters, apprentices, and nonresidents regularly, and we know exactly what the Florida Department of Financial Services needs to keep your license process moving. If you already know you need a Florida public adjuster bond and want to move quickly, call us at 800-333-7800 or get a free quote online. We issue most public adjuster bonds the same day once we have your application.
Quick Facts: Florida Public Adjuster Bond
- Bond amount: $50,000
- Who requires it: Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS), Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services, Bureau of Licensing
- Governing law: Florida Statutes Chapter 626, Part VI, Sections 626.851 through 626.8797
- Bond form: DFS-H2-72 (Rule 69B-211.002, F.A.C.)
- Made payable to: The Department of Financial Services of the State of Florida
- Who needs one: Resident public adjusters, nonresident public adjusters, and public adjuster apprentices
- Filing method: Paper bond mailed to the Bureau of Licensing in Tallahassee (not filed through NMLS)
- Premium: Annual, paid up front. Call 800-333-7800 for a free quote.
What Is a Florida Public Adjuster Bond?
A Florida public adjuster bond is a license and permit surety bond required by Section 626.865 of the Florida Statutes. It guarantees that a licensed public adjuster will conduct business honestly and in compliance with the Florida public adjuster laws, the rules of the Department of Financial Services, and the standards set by the Chief Financial Officer.
If a public adjuster is found guilty of fraud or unfair practices in connection with their work, the Department of Financial Services can recover damages by filing a claim against the bond. The surety company that issued the bond pays the valid claim, and the public adjuster is then required to reimburse the surety. The bond is consumer protection. It is also one of the strongest signals to clients that you are licensed, regulated, and accountable.
Who Needs This Bond?
Florida requires the same $50,000 bond from three different categories of public adjuster license:
- Resident Public Adjuster (3-20 license). Florida residents licensed to act as public adjusters on behalf of insureds. To qualify, you must hold a Florida all-lines adjuster license and have served at least six continuous months as a public adjuster apprentice, independent adjuster, or insurance company employee.
- Nonresident Public Adjuster. Adjusters licensed in another state who want to handle Florida claims. Nonresident applicants must pass the Florida public adjuster examination and be self-employed or associated with a Florida-licensed public adjusting firm.
- Public Adjuster Apprentice. Entry-level applicants working under the supervision of a licensed public adjuster. Apprentices must be U.S. citizens or legal aliens with work authorization, and must demonstrate the trustworthiness and business reputation needed to act in good faith.
If you are unsure which license type applies to your situation, our team can help you sort it out before you apply.
How Much Is the Bond?
The Florida public adjuster bond amount is $50,000. This is set by Florida Statute 626.865 and applies equally to all three license types listed above. There is no scaling for business volume, no surcharge for additional locations, and no discount for new applicants. Every Florida public adjuster posts the same $50,000 bond.
The bond must remain unimpaired throughout the entire life of the license. If the bond is canceled, terminated, or otherwise lapses, the public adjuster is required to obtain a replacement bond before the cancellation takes effect, or the license is at risk.
What Does the Bond Cost?
The premium for a Florida public adjuster bond depends on the applicant's credit, financial history, and underwriting profile. Every situation is different. We work with all credit profiles and will find you the most competitive rate available. The premium is paid annually as a single up-front payment. There are no monthly payments on surety bonds.
For an exact quote tailored to your situation, call us at 800-333-7800 or fill out our online quote form. We turn most quotes around quickly so you can plan your licensing timeline accordingly.
How the Florida Public Adjuster Bond Form Works
Florida uses a specific bond form, DFS-H2-72, issued by the Department of Financial Services under Rule 69B-211.002 of the Florida Administrative Code. Download the official Florida Public Adjuster Bond form (DFS-H2-72) for reference. We complete and execute the form for you when we issue the bond.
A few practical details that matter when you apply:
- The bond is filed on paper, not through NMLS. Florida public adjuster bonds are mailed directly to the Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services, Bureau of Licensing, 200 East Gaines Street, Larson Building Room 419, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0319.
- It must be countersigned by a Florida-licensed General Lines Agent of the surety. This is a Florida-specific requirement. Not every surety company has a countersigning agent in Florida; we do, so this step is handled cleanly when we issue your bond.
- A certified copy of the agent's Power of Attorney must be attached. We include this with every bond we issue so the filing is complete the first time.
- The principal's signature must be witnessed. Plan for this when you sign. Most applicants handle it in front of a notary or another approved witness.
- Cancellation requires 30 days' written notice by registered mail. The surety remains liable for obligations that accrued before the cancellation date.
How to Get a Florida Public Adjuster Bond
The process is simple. Most applications can be completed in a single business day.
- Call or apply online. Reach us at 800-333-7800 or use our online quote form.
- Submit a short application. We need your basic personal information, license details (or pre-license information if you are a new applicant), financial information, and an authorization to run credit. Most of this can be done electronically.
- Underwriting review. An expert underwriter reviews your application and confirms the premium. For most well-qualified applicants this is fast.
- Pay the premium and receive your bond. Once payment is in, we issue the bond, attach the certified Power of Attorney, and have it countersigned by our Florida-licensed General Lines Agent.
- Sign and file. You sign the bond in front of a witness and mail the original to the Bureau of Licensing in Tallahassee. We can also coordinate filing on your behalf.
- You are good to go. Your license can move forward through the Florida Department of Financial Services.
Florida Public Adjuster Licensing in Brief
The bond is one piece of a larger licensing process. Each license type has its own pathway, but here are the broad strokes for the most common path, the Resident Public Adjuster (3-20 license):
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Hold a Florida all-lines adjuster license (6-20 license)
- Serve at least six continuous months as a public adjuster apprentice, independent adjuster, or insurance company employee
- Submit fingerprints for a state and federal background check
- Apply for the 3-20 license through MyProfile on the Florida Department of Financial Services website
- Pay the application fee
- File the $50,000 surety bond with the Bureau of Licensing
Nonresident applicants follow a different path that includes passing the Florida public adjuster examination. Apprentice applicants apply for an apprentice appointment under a sponsoring licensed public adjuster. We are happy to walk through your specific path on a quick call.
Bond Conditions and Cancellation
The Florida public adjuster bond carries the conditions written into form DFS-H2-72 and Florida Statute 626.865. The most important points to know:
- The bond runs until canceled. There is no built-in expiration date.
- The bond must be maintained unimpaired for the entire life of the license. A claim that reduces the bond amount must be restored or replaced.
- Cancellation requires 30 days' written notice from the surety to the principal, filed with the Department of Financial Services by United States registered mail.
- The surety remains liable for obligations that accrued before the effective cancellation date.
- If you stop practicing or surrender your license, you can request that the bond be canceled. The surety still answers for any pre-cancellation conduct.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can I get a Florida public adjuster bond?
Most well-qualified applicants can have a bond issued the same day they apply. Because the bond is filed on paper rather than electronically, plan an extra day or two for mailing to Tallahassee. Call us at 800-333-7800 to start the process.
What is the Florida public adjuster bond amount?
$50,000. This amount is set by Florida Statute 626.865 and applies to resident public adjusters, nonresident public adjusters, and public adjuster apprentices.
Do public adjuster apprentices need their own bond?
Yes. Florida requires the same $50,000 bond for public adjuster apprentices that it requires for fully licensed public adjusters. The bond must be in place when the apprentice appointment is filed.
Do nonresident public adjusters need a Florida bond?
Yes. Nonresident public adjusters who handle Florida claims must hold a Florida nonresident public adjuster license and post the same $50,000 bond. Your home-state bond does not satisfy the Florida requirement.
Why does the bond need to be countersigned by a Florida General Lines Agent?
This is a Florida-specific requirement under Rule 69B-211.002. The countersignature confirms that a Florida-licensed agent of the surety is on the bond. Not every surety company has a Florida countersigning agent. We do, so this step is built into our process.
Is the Florida public adjuster bond filed through NMLS?
No. Public adjuster bonds in Florida are paper-filed with the Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services, Bureau of Licensing in Tallahassee. NMLS is for mortgage licensing, not insurance adjuster licensing.
What happens if a claim is filed against my bond?
If a consumer or the Department of Financial Services files a claim alleging fraud or unfair practices, the surety company investigates. Valid claims up to the bond amount are paid out by the surety, and you are then required to reimburse the surety for the amount paid plus any costs. This is why credit and financial strength matter in the underwriting process.
How long does the bond last?
The bond runs continuously until canceled. There is no automatic expiration. The premium is paid annually as long as the bond is in force, and we send renewal reminders ahead of each anniversary so the bond stays unimpaired.
How do I get a Florida public adjuster bond?
Call Surety Bond Authority at 800-333-7800 or request a quote online. We will tell you exactly what we need, run a quick underwriting review, issue and countersign the bond, attach the certified Power of Attorney, and send it to you ready to sign and file. Most well-qualified applicants are bonded the same day.
Get Your Florida Public Adjuster Bond from a 50-Year-Old Surety Bond Agency
Surety Bond Authority has been writing surety bonds since 1971. We work with public adjusters, apprentices, and adjusting firms across Florida, and we know what the Department of Financial Services needs to keep your license process moving. We offer competitive rates, same-day approvals for most applicants, the required Florida General Lines countersignature, and the certified Power of Attorney that the bond filing requires.
Ready to get bonded? Call us at 800-333-7800 or visit our contact page to reach a real person on our team. You can also request a free online quote. Same-day approvals are available in most cases.
Need other Florida surety bonds? Visit our Florida Surety Bonds page.
