Commissioner: Public Adjusters Not Permitted in Arkansas

Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Jay Bradford said in the wake of violent storms that swept through the state on April 9, public adjusters are not permitted in Arkansas. Only adjusters whose salaries are paid by the insurance company he or she represents are allowed.

The insurance department has received reports that public adjusters have approached citizens in Mena, which suffered extensive tornado damage. In a departmental announcement, Bradford advised consumers to call their insurance agent with questions “as he or she is the first link between you and your insurance company.”

The April 9 storm system racked up nearly $12 million in damages in five counties: Ashley, Howard, Miller, Polk and Sevier, according to figures on the insurance department Web site as of April 23. Polk was the hardest hit. The governor’s office said April 14 that assessment teams had tallied 659 damaged homes in Miller, Polk and Sevier Counties, 157 of which were destroyed. Another 140 homes suffered major damage. Damage assessments were continuing.