How To Get A New York Adjuster License
In the adjuster world, the New York Licensed Independent Adjuster is rare and in high demand. You too can be an adjuster unicorn with this magical license. Getting through the application process might seem a little daunting and holding you back, so let’s break it down and take a closer look…
NY State Exam
Before you start the actual application process, you need to pass the NY state exam. The exam fee is $40. The type of claims you work will determine the type of adjuster license you will apply for. There are 8 different types of adjuster licenses – accident & health, motor vehicle no-fault & workers comp health services, casualty, fire, general, inland marine, and public adjuster.
The general adjuster license is the most popular because, well, it pretty much covers everything. With a general adjuster license you can adjust the following types of claims: fire, inland marine, aviation, personal & commercial automobile, motor vehicle no-fault & workers comp health services charges, automobile damage or theft appraisals, casualty (including general liability & crime), and flood.
To Prep or Not To Prep
You don’t want to just jump in and take the exam. But you also don’t want to spend a ton of money on exam prep. This is where you will need to do a little research on pre courses offered and there are plenty for you to choose from. If you are not sure if you need to go through exam prep courses, you can take a practice test. Practice tests are available online ( Prometric, & Quizlet) the NY exam and you can see if prep courses are needed or a practice test, or two, will be enough.
You Passed! Now What…
Let’s just say you took the exam and you passed. Congrats! Now, it’s time to tackle The NY Adjuster License Application. You will need to:
- Submit fees with applications. Licensing fee: $100 for the first year, $50 for the second. Fingerprinting fee: $87
- You will need 5 Certificates of Character. This is a section on the application where you will have someone sign that they have known you for at least 5 years and you are a person of good character.
- You will need a $1000 bond to cover the licensing period. The cost of this bond for the year typically runs less than $100. You can even get it online from services like bondsexpress.com. It’s a pretty quick process.
- The last bit, other than actually writing in your information on the application, is you will need to get fingerprinting done. You have to complete the NY Dept of Financial Services fingerprinting procedure.
Finally Getting The License
You passed the exam, went through all the application hoops, and now finally have a NY Adjuster license. You are an adjuster unicorn and the clouds have parted above you and started raining down champagne. Just don’t forget to renew every 2 years.
If you are an independent adjuster willing to take claims in NY, this is one license that is great to have in your arsenal. Check out more information on adjuster licenses and reciprocity in our blog – The Basics of Adjuster License Reciprocity.
Join our AAN Adjuster Network
AAN Inc. is one of the nation’s fastest growing network of independent insurance adjusters. It is easy to join, training is provided if needed, deployment opportunities are available, and so much more. Contact our Recruiting Manager Ben at bbarker@aanadjusters.com for more information on joining our adjuster network.