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Crop Adjuster License Info

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR NEW APPLICANTS: Vermont Crop Adjuster licenses expire on a common expiration date of March 31, 2012(Even Years). If you apply for a license now, you will pay the initial license and application fee for a license that expires on March 31, 2012. You will also receive an invoice for the license renewal fee prior to the expiration date of that license. All applications received at the Insurance Department AFTER March 1st, 2012 will not be issued effective until April 1st, 2012, unless a specific request is made.

For information about licensing requirements, how to apply for a license and FAQs. Vermont Law defines a Crop Adjuster to mean, any person who investigates claims and negotiates settlement of claims arising under policies of insurance in behalf of insurers under such policies, or who advertises or solicits business from insurers as an adjuster. Lawyers settling claims of clients shall not be considered an adjuster. A license as an adjuster shall not be required of an official or employee of a domestic fire or casualty insurance company or of a duly licensed resident insurance producer of a domestic or duly licensed foreign insurer who is authorized by such insurer to appraise losses under policies issued by such insurer. See Title 8, §4791.

License Requirements

In order to obtain a Crop Adjuster license an applicant must be at least 18 years of age; must be deemed to be competent, trustworthy and financially responsible; have passed a proficiency examination approved by the Federal Risk Management Agency; meet an experience requirement and submit a license application and fees. The experience requirement may be satisfied in three different ways:
1.     The applicant possesses two years’ experience in handling of loss claims.
2.     The applicant has undergone special training of sufficient duration and scope to make him/her competent to fulfill the responsibilities of the license sought.  A person seeking to have special training recognized should submit a detailed description of the training, including syllabi, curriculum and training material.
3.     The applicant is employed by and subject to the immediate personal supervision of a licensed adjuster who is licensed in Vermont and who has been licensed for not less than three years next preceding the date of application for the license.
For further information, see Title 8, §4803 (Links to Vermont Statutes web site.)

How to Apply for a License

Resident: (Electronic Application submission is not available at this time)
An applicant must submit to the Department the following:
1.      NAIC Uniform Individual Application (This application is used for ALL license types, though they are not all specified on the form);
2.      A Certification of passing a proficiency examination approved by the Federal Risk Management Agency;
3.      Attachment #2 Certification print a hard copy, fill in; and,
4.      A license application fee of $30.00 and a license fee of $60.00. Checks may be made payable to VT BISHCA.
Attachment #1 Social Security Disclosure is for your information.
Nonresident: (Electronic Application submission is not available at this time)
An applicant must submit to the Department the following:
1.      NAIC Uniform Individual Application (This application is used for ALL license types, although they are not all specified on the Form);
2.      A home state certification (no older than 90 days preceding receipt by the department of the application);
3.      Attachment #2 Certifications print a hard copy, fill in; and,
4.      A certification of passing a proficiency examination approved by the Federal Risk Management Agency;
5.      A license application fee of $30.00 and a license fee.  Please locate the state in which you reside to determine the license fee (see Fee Chart). Checks should be made payable to VT BISHCA.
Attachment #1 Social Security Disclosure is for your information.

FAQs

The license term is April 1st to March 31st of even years.  The Department will send out renewal notices for existing licensees at the beginning of the even year.   Note, license fees are not prorated and the license term is fixed, regardless of time of application.
No.
Yes.   Each Adjuster shall keep at the address shown on the license a record of all transactions under the license.   The record shall include:
1.     A copy of all investigations, adjustments or appraisals undertaken or consummated.
2.     A statement of any fee, commission or other compensation received or to be received by the Adjuster on account of such investigation, adjustment, or appraisal.
3.     The Adjuster shall make such records available for examination by the commissioner at all times, and shall retain the records for at least three years. 
Three years.
No.  To adjust non-crop related claims, an individual must be licensed as a Property and Casualty Adjuster.
For answers to additional questions that have not been addressed in the FAQs above, send an email to bishca.producerlicensing@state.vt.us please be sure to provide a telephone number where we can contact you.
Yes. Under Vermont law in the event of a catastrophe a licensed insurer may use an Adjuster or Appraiser who is not licensed in Vermont to adjust claims arising out of the catastrophe. The following guidelines apply:
A catastrophe must have occurred. The Department will notify insurers on its Website if an event has been recognized as a catastrophe by the Commissioner for purposes of allowing the use of individuals who are not licensed in Vermont. Insurers are welcome to contact the Department for further guidance.
1.     The adjuster/appraiser must be licensed in his/her resident state or other state if resident state does not issue such license;
2.     The insurer must notify the Department of its intention to use catastrophe adjusters/appraisers and provide a list of the names, addresses and license information for individuals who will be adjusting/appraising;
3.      Within ninty (90) days from the date of a claim denial a Vermont licensed adjuster will review the denial to ensure the claim was properly adjusted.
Vermont Insurance Division – Producer Licensing Section
BISHCA
89 Main Street
Montpelier, VT  05620-3101
(802) 828-3303 Telephone
(802) 828-1633 Fax

 

AttachmentSize
ATTACHMENT#1.pdf115.92 KB
ATTACHMENT#2 CERTIFICATON.pdf20.35 KB
Fee_Chart_CROP_ADJ_INITIAL_2012.doc111 KB
Fee_Chart_CROP_ADJ_RENEWAL_2012.doc96.5 KB