In Georgia, public adjusters must be licensed by the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner before they can legally represent you in a property insurance claim. That license matters — but it doesn't guarantee competence, ethical conduct, or fair fees. Here's what the license means, how to verify it, and what else to check before you sign a representation agreement.
What the Georgia license requires
To obtain a public adjuster license in Georgia, applicants must pass a state licensing exam, submit to a background check, and meet continuing education requirements to maintain their license. The license is issued by the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner (OCI) and must be renewed periodically.
The licensing requirement exists to establish minimum competency and accountability. A licensed PA has demonstrated basic knowledge of insurance claims, is subject to OCI oversight, and can have their license suspended or revoked for violations.
What the license does not certify: experience level, claim success rates, fee fairness, or specific expertise with your type of loss. A newly licensed PA and a 20-year veteran carry the same license category.
How to verify a Georgia public adjuster license
The Georgia OCI maintains an online license lookup tool at their official website. You can search by name or license number and see current license status, license type, and any disciplinary history.
Do this before signing anything. A PA who cannot provide a valid Georgia license number — or whose license shows as inactive, suspended, or expired — should not be representing you. There are unlicensed individuals operating in this space, particularly after major storm events, and using an unlicensed adjuster can create problems for your claim. Resurgens Public Adjusting holds Georgia Public Adjuster License #3921503 — you can verify it directly through the OCI lookup.
Also verify that the license type is specifically "Public Adjuster." Georgia issues separate license types for different insurance roles. An insurance agent or independent adjuster license is not the same as a public adjuster license and does not authorize the same representation activities.
Georgia fee regulations
Georgia law regulates public adjuster fees. The fee cap and specific rules are set by statute and can change — check the current OCI rules rather than relying on any specific number here. What matters to know:
- The fee must be in a written agreement signed before the PA begins work.
- Any written representation agreement must include specific disclosures required by Georgia law — review it carefully for these.
- There is a rescission period after signing — a window during which you can cancel the agreement without penalty. Know this window before you sign.
- Fee agreements that deviate significantly from standard industry terms — unusually high percentages, unusual fee calculation methods — warrant extra scrutiny.
Beyond the license: what actually matters
A valid Georgia license is the floor, not the ceiling. Once you've confirmed the license, the more important questions are about experience and fit:
- How many Georgia claims have they handled of the same type? Fire claims, storm claims, and water damage claims each have their own complexity. A PA who primarily handles hail claims may not be the best choice for a major fire.
- Can they provide references from recent Georgia policyholders? Not testimonials on their website — actual people you can contact who have been through the process with them.
- Are they familiar with your insurer? Each major carrier has patterns in how they handle claims. A PA familiar with your specific carrier may recognize those patterns and anticipate recurring documentation questions.
- Who actually works your claim? Some PA firms assign junior estimators to do the fieldwork while experienced adjusters handle high-value clients. Know who will be on-site at your property and who will be negotiating with the insurer.
If you're considering hiring a public adjuster, understanding when the economics work in your favor is the starting point. See Resurgens' breakdown of when it makes sense to hire a public adjuster.
Related: What a Public Adjuster Actually Does — and What It Costs — a first-person account of how the PA relationship works in practice.