Tennessee Resource Links

1. License is needed to solicit claims. 

2. Initial Expenses To Be Specified: Initial expenses to be reimbursed to a public adjuster from the proceeds of the claim payment must be specified by type, with dollar estimates set forth in the contract and with any additional expenses to first be approved by the insured. See last page of TN client contract.

3. Fees: If a contract is formed before the insurance carrier has made an offer of settlement, then the there is a fee cap of (15%). If a contract is formed after the insurance carrier has made an offer of settlement, then the adjuster may charge up to 25% of the difference between the insurance company's last offer to the insured prior to the public adjuster contract with that insured and the last offer after the public adjuster entered a contract with the insured and negotiated, if any, additional settlement proceeds. If the insured has obtained a home mortgage in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the appraised value of the home, then a public adjuster may charge a fee not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the total proceeds of an insurance settlement that is a total loss of the home, which shall be deemed to be a policy limit payment, occurring during a catastrophic disaster within the first twelve (12) months of the term of the home mortgage. This limitation applies regardless of when a contract is entered into between the public adjuster and the insured; but a public adjuster cannot charge a fee on any advance payment prior to entering into a contract with the insured.

4. For Residential Claims: Ban on Solicitation- A public adjuster shall not solicit an insured for two (2) days after any loss and shall not contract with an insured for an additional three (3) days. For catastrophic losses, a public adjuster shall not solicit an insured for seven (7) days after the loss. 

5. Written Disclosure Regarding Financial Interest of Public Adjuster: A public adjuster must provide the insured a written disclosure concerning any direct or indirect financial interest that the public adjuster has with any other party who is involved in any aspect of the claim, including referrals to contractors. In TN client contract. TrueHaven does not accept referral fees.

6. Disclosure Regarding Claim Process to be Provided to Insured Before Insured Signs Contract: Prior to the signing of the contract, the public adjuster shall provide the insured with a separate disclosure document regarding the claim process. See last page of TN client contract.

7. Copy of P.A.’s Contract with Insured Must be Given to Insurer. 

8. Notification Letter of P.A.’s Representation of Insured Must Be Provided to Insurer 

9. Insured must consent to any settlement. Get it in writing. 

10. Tennessee regulations provide for matching on replacement cost policies. 0780-01-05-.10(1)(b) 

Tennessee regulates Public Adjusters under the Tennessee Public Adjuster Licensing Act of 2006, found in Title 56, Chapter 6, Part 9 of the Tennessee Code. These laws establish the licensing, ethical, and procedural requirements that govern how Public Adjusters operate within the state.

Key statutes governing Public Adjusters in Tennessee include:

• § 56-6-903 – License Required: No person may act as or hold themselves out to be a public adjuster in Tennessee without a valid license issued by the Commissioner.

• § 56-6-904 – Application Requirements: Outlines application procedures, fingerprinting, background checks, and the Commissioner’s authority to review qualifications.

• § 56-6-905 – Requirements for Licensure: Establishes criteria such as age, residency, trustworthiness, and financial responsibility.

• § 56-6-906 – Written Examination: Requires applicants to pass a written exam unless exempt under § 56-6-907.

• § 56-6-909 – License Period, Renewal, and Penalties: Details the license term, renewal procedures, and consequences for lapses or misrepresentation.

• § 56-6-912 – Continuing Education: Requires licensed adjusters to complete continuing education for renewal eligibility.

• § 56-6-913 – Fees Charged by Public Adjusters: Regulates compensation, retainer agreements, and disclosure of fees to insureds.

• § 56-6-914 – Written Contracts & Disclosure Requirements: Sets mandatory contract elements, disclosure of financial interests, insured’s right to rescind, and notice requirements to the insurer.

• § 56-6-915 – Escrow or Trust Accounts: Requires public adjusters to maintain separate escrow or trust accounts for client funds.

• § 56-6-916 – Recordkeeping Requirements: Defines maintenance and inspection requirements for adjuster records.

• § 56-6-917 – Ethical Considerations: Establishes standards of conduct, conflicts of interest, and fiduciary duties.

• § 56-6-920 – Rules and Regulations: Authorizes the Commissioner to adopt rules necessary for the administration of the Act.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce Insurance Division provides comprehensive information for Public Adjusters, including licensing requirements, regulations, and consumer resources.

www.tn.gov/commerce/insurance/

What You Need to Do

• Generate the Tennessee Contract from the HavenHub template. Verify all intake fields (insured names, property address, policy number, and date of loss).

• Confirm that all insureds sign and initial each page of the contract.

• Review the fee section with the client. Tennessee caps fees at:

• 15% if contracted before an initial carrier offer;

• 25% of the additional settlement amount if contracted after a carrier offer;

• 10% for total-loss catastrophic claims when the home is 100% mortgaged.

• Review the expense disclosure section. Initial expenses to be reimbursed must be listed by type and dollar estimate in the contract, and any additional costs must be preapproved by the insured.

• Confirm the client understands their rescission right — they may cancel the agreement without penalty within 3 business days (5 days for catastrophic losses).

• Send the Notice Letter to the carrier immediately after contract execution. Attach:

• The signed contract

• TrueHaven’s W-9

• Any supporting documents or estimate requests
This letter formally notifies the carrier of representation, requests the full policy, prior estimates and payments, and names the desk adjuster assigned to the claim.

• Upload all signed documents to HavenHub and move the pipeline to “Intake & Qualification Complete.”

How to Explain to Clients

• The contract sets our fee structure and defines TrueHaven as the client’s exclusive Public Adjuster for that specific loss.

• The rescission clause gives them the right to cancel the agreement within three business days (five for catastrophic events) with no penalty.

• The Notice Letter tells the carrier that TrueHaven now represents them, requests their full policy and claim file, and ensures all payments are directed properly.

Compliance Reminders

• Do not contact the carrier or begin any adjusting activity until both the signed contract and Notice Letter are complete.

• Provide the client a copy of the signed contract the same day it’s executed.

• Disclose any financial interest or referral relationship, as required under Tennessee law.

• Get written approval before incurring any 3rd-party expenses.

• Document all dates carefully — including rescission deadlines, contract execution, and notice delivery.

Outcome
You’ll know how to properly complete Tennessee’s intake process, explain the state-specific contract provisions to clients, and send the required Notice Letter to the carrier — protecting both TrueHaven and the insured through full legal compliance.

Downloads

TN Client Contract

TN Notice Letter

Tennessee policies generally require that a Proof of Loss be submitted within 90 days of the date of loss — or as soon as reasonably possible — unless the insurer specifies a shorter period in writing.

Under Tennessee Code § 56-26-108, written notice of claim must be provided within 20 days after a loss, and the insurer must send claim forms within 15 days of that notice. The insured must then furnish the completed Proof of Loss within 90 days (and never later than one year).

Once a properly executed Proof of Loss has been submitted, the insurer has 60 days to accept or deny liability under Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-01-05-.08. If coverage is confirmed and the loss amount is not in dispute, payment must be issued within 30 days.

Always review the policy language — some carriers shorten or extend these deadlines, and catastrophic events may trigger regulatory extensions.

TrueHaven standard: Submit the POL within 7 days of inspection unless carrier instructions differ.

Download

Blank Proof of Loss (POL)

Tennessee’s Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act (Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-8-104 and Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0780-01-05-.08) establishes the state’s standards for prompt acknowledgment, investigation, and settlement of property claims.

• Carrier Response: Insurers must acknowledge and act upon communications regarding claims within 15 days of receipt and must provide all necessary claim forms or instructions within that same timeframe.
TrueHaven standard: Follow up every 2 business days until acknowledgment.

• PA Contract Submission: Once representation begins, the Public Adjuster must notify the insurer in writing of representation and provide a copy of the signed contract.
TrueHaven standard: Submit within 2 business days of contract execution, using the Notice Letter template.

• Investigation & Proof of Loss: Insurers must begin investigating all claims within 30 days after receiving a properly executed Proof of Loss.
TrueHaven standard: Submit the notarized Proof of Loss within 5 business days of inspection and follow up every 2–3 business days until carrier confirmation.

• Payment or Denial: After receiving the Proof of Loss, insurers must affirm or deny coverage within 60 days and issue payment for undisputed amounts within 30 days of liability confirmation.

Deadlines:

• 3 years to file a new or reopened claim.

• 3 years to submit supplemental claims (per standard policy limitations).

All of these timeframes are automatically tracked through HavenHub’s claim-management system to ensure compliance and timely carrier communication.

The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office establishes statewide minimum construction standards used in claim evaluation and repair scope development.

The current adoption references the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and companion International Codes (IRC, IPC, IMC, IECC, etc.) with state-specific amendments.

Always verify the local jurisdiction’s adopted edition, as some municipalities have implemented newer (2024) code versions.

Code Resources for Construction Professionals
📎 View Current Tennessee Building Codes

Use this resource when validating contractor scopes, confirming code compliance items, or preparing estimate justifications for carrier supplements.

Tennessee regulates Public Adjusters under the Tennessee Public Adjuster Licensing Act of 2006 (Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 56-6-901 – 56-6-920) and the Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI).

Licenses renew every two years, based on the individual adjuster’s birth month.

Resident Public Adjusters must:

• Apply through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR)

• Complete fingerprinting and a criminal background check

• Pass the Pearson VUE Public Adjuster exam (valid for 12 months)

• Submit a full application through TDCI and maintain continuing education requirements

Non-Resident Public Adjusters must:

• Apply through NIPR

• Hold an active home-state public adjuster license in good standing

• Comply with Tennessee’s laws and ethical standards while operating in the state

Fees:
Licensing fees are generally retaliatory — Tennessee mirrors the applicant’s home-state fee, with a minimum fee of $100.

📎 Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance – Public Adjuster Licensing

Tennessee Public Adjusters must complete 24 hours of Continuing Education every two years, including:

• 3 hours of Ethics coursework

• 21 hours of approved elective courses

All CE hours must be approved by the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and reported through the state’s online system prior to license renewal.

Renewal Cycle:
Licenses renew every two years, based on the adjuster’s birth month. Renewal applications and CE compliance are submitted through:
📎 National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) – Tennessee

Recommended online providers:

AdjusterPro.com

AmericanInsuranceCollege.com

While Tennessee does not have a state-specific public adjuster association, the national organization provides excellent opportunities for continuing education, legislative updates, and peer collaboration.

Recommended Association for Tennessee Adjusters:

National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA)

TrueHaven encourages active membership — both for professional growth and to stay ahead of industry changes affecting Public Adjusters.