Internal Carrier Guidance… A Balanced Approach Forward or Another Gaping Hole in the Safety Net?
by Rick Tutwiler on 4/22/2025
Licensed Public Adjusters often hold the keys to resolution — yet far too often, they’re the last line of defense for policyholders simply trying to level the playing field.
When TPAs and licensed field adjusters are instructed not to write estimates unless explicitly authorized — while quiet exceptions are made for select insiders — we’re not just witnessing a lapse in oversight. We’re confronting perilous systemic failures that threatens the integrity of the entire claims process.
A recent blog post likened Florida’s insurance crisis to wrangling rattlesnakes — because if you don’t grab the problem by the head, you risk getting bit by the consequences. This latest “quality assurance” memo doesn’t just echo that warning — it exposes a slippery pattern sliding straight toward at least five (5) potential statutory violations, including:
• Delay in claim investigation/decision
• Discriminatory or preferential treatment
• Improper investigation standards
• Unfair claims settlement practices
• Violations of adjuster ethical duties
• And even the basis for potential bad faith claims
Even insurer-preferred contractors — those considered part of the inner circle — are beginning to question the hand that feeds them.


But perhaps most alarming? A major carrier willing to blatantly disregard its fiduciary duty to put honest, premium paying #PolicyholdersFirst.
Transparency. Ethics. Accountability. These aren't optional in claims handling — they are the bedrock of trust in our profession and the fabric of credibility that impacts the entire industry.
Florida’s homeowners, condo communities, and businesses deserve better. If you're a stakeholder in this space — policyholder, insurance professional, regulator, attorney, contractor, or fellow public adjuster — the time to pay attention is now.
And above all — let’s make sure policyholders aren’t getting bit by snakes… when what they truly need is a helping hand.
Let us know what you are experiencing out there.
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