In order to get your New York adjuster license and become a licensed insurance claims adjuster, you will need to:
- Complete your adjuster pre-exam education
- Take and pass the New York PSI adjuster exam of your choice
- Complete a fingerprint and background check
- Execute a New York Security Bond
- Submit your licensing application to the New York Department of Insurance
In this article, we offer everything you need to know in order to get started, helping you find the best way of getting your New York insurance adjuster license.
Recommended: Interested in getting started? We recommend using AdjusterPro’s online study packages, which come with a 98% satisfaction rate.
How to Become an Insurance Adjuster in New York
Getting your New York adjuster license can be a simple and easy process, but this will ultimately depend on how you go about completing the required steps.
Step 1: Adjuster Pre-Exam Education
Preparing for your exam is not something to take lightly. This is because the average pass rate of insurance exams nationwide is around 55% for first-time test-takers and even less for any following attempts.
This means that it is generally recommended that you complete some form of education — such as purchasing a study guide or a state-approved online course — before sitting your exam(s).
These courses are composed of video, audio, and text, and include short knowledge quizzes and practice exams which will help you obtain the necessary understanding of the material that you will need to know.
Even though this is not a legal prerequisite in New York, we believe that purchasing a pre-exam course can go a long way in ensuring that you pass your exam(s) on your first attempt.
Recommended Course
Over 80% of our readers use AdjusterPro’s online courses — which come with a 98% satisfaction rate — when preparing for their insurance adjuster exam(s). For comprehensive study packages, StateRequirement recommends:
Step 2: New York Insurance Adjuster License Exam
Once you have completed all of your coursework, you will be able to take (and hopefully pass) the New York insurance adjuster license exam.
This is a proctored test, which means that you will be in a controlled environment with a person watching over you. It is, therefore, a good idea to work on both your timing and nerves prior to sitting for your exam.
New York offers various independent lines for you to choose from for this exam. Some of the primary ones include:
- The Independent Accident and Health Insurance Adjuster license exam
- The Independent Fire Adjuster exam
- The Independent Casualty Insurance Adjuster license exam
Each of these lines consists of sixty (60) questions and lasts one hour (1:00:00). However, this is not the case for all lines offered in New York.
An outline of the full list of lines available in New York can be found on the PSI New York Adjuster License Examinations Content Outline.
Each exam attempt costs $33 and will be paid when you make your reservation.
A total score of 70% or more is required to pass this test. The PSI New York Department of Financial Services Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin further explains the exam scoring:
Your score will be given to you immediately following the completion of the examination. In order to pass the examination, you must achieve a minimum score of 70%.
– If you pass, you will receive an examination result report which will indicate “PASS”
– If you do not pass, you will receive a diagnostic report indicating your strengths and weaknesses
StateRequirement recommends that you study for one exam at a time. This is because insurance adjuster exams are difficult enough on their own without the possibility of confusing information from one line to another. This will allow you to work incrementally towards completing your final exam.
You can register to take your exams — as well as find out more information — on the PSI New York Insurance Page or by calling PSI at (800) 733-9267.
Note: Before registering for your exam, we recommend completing some form of pre-exam education. Even though this is not a legal requirement in New York, it can go a long way in ensuring that you pass your exam(s) on your first attempt.
Step 3. Fingerprinting and Background Check
The State of New York requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check.
If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies (such as fraudulent or dishonest practices), this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts.
If you have specific questions regarding things that may come up on your background check, you may call the New York Department of Financial Services at (518) 474-6630 or send them an email.
You must make your fingerprinting reservations through IdentoGO. When prompted to enter the code, use 1544S3. Appointments can be made on their website or by phone at 877) 472-6915.
Note: The fee for fingerprinting services is $87.
At your fingerprinting appointment, you will not receive a fingerprint card. You will, however, receive a receipt. Do not throw this receipt away. You need to make a copy of this receipt, as you will be sending one in a later step.
Step 4. Execution of New York Surety Bond
A bond in the amount of $1,000 must be submitted with your application. It must cover the licensing period from the date issued to the expiration date.
Step 5. New York Insurance Adjuster License Application
Once you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, you will be ready to apply for your independent adjuster license.
The fee for an application is $100 for a “full year” or $50 for a “half year” — depending on whether your application date falls in an odd or even year.
This is because applications made during an odd year have a longer licensing period, as all licenses expire at the end of each even year.
You will be able to apply online through the DFS Portal. Where required, you must upload documentation with your application.
To get a paper application, you will need to email the Insurance Licensing Department. Submit this application with a check for the application fee, bond documents, exam results letter, and fingerprint receipt.
Step 6. Application Review
Once you have submitted your application and have completed all the other requirements, your New York license application will be reviewed by the state.
This process generally takes about 60–90 days. Depending on the results of your background check, the financial services licensing bureau may request additional documentation.
After the review is complete, you can check if your license has been issued by using the Producer/Licensee Search.
Note: As the Department no longer mails paper licenses, you will need to print the license as soon as it is issued.
Congratulations!
You’ve done the work, put in the time and effort, and now hold the key to your own success! We’re proud of you. Take five (5) minutes and celebrate.
What Kind of Insurance Adjuster Will You Be?
There are four main types of insurance adjusters: staff adjusters, independent adjusters, catastrophe adjusters, and public adjusters.
Each of these positions accomplishes essentially the same task: assess the damage to property brought about by some event and make an evaluation of what monetary value the insurance claim should carry.
The big difference between these different types of insurance adjusters is who pays them and, in the case of the public adjuster, who they are advocating for. Staff, independent, and catastrophe adjusters all require the same type of license, while a public adjuster license is a little different in its specifications.
- Staff Adjuster – Works directly for one insurance company in order to investigate, evaluate, and potentially settle claims.
- Independent Adjuster – Works for a third-party company, often called an Independent Adjusting Firm, which has been contracted by insurance carriers to help settle their claims.
- Catastrophe (CAT) Adjuster – Can be an independent or staff adjuster who travels to an area that has been largely affected by an event (usually severe weather) and performs adjustment services to insurance claims en masse.
- Inside Adjuster – Inside adjusters, sometimes referred to as “desk” or “remote” adjusters, handle claims from an office. They are the policyholder’s main contact and the person who applies the policy terms and standards to the claim.
- Public Adjuster – Independent insurance adjusters that customers choose to hire in order to settle insurance claims. Public adjusters are not hired by insurance companies.
Note: To become a public adjuster, you must obtain a standard adjuster license, get an appointment from a public adjusting firm, gain work experience, and eventually pass an additional exam.
New York Department of Insurance Contact Information
Mailing Address:
One State Street
New York, New York 10004
Phone: (518) 474-6630
Email: licensing@dfs.ny.gov
Website: http://www.dfs.ny.gov/
New York Insurance Adjuster License FAQ
How do I get my insurance adjuster license in NY?
You will need to complete the necessary pre-exam education before passing the New York Insurance Adjuster exam and submit proof of this alongside a fingerprinting and background check (plus a surety bond) as part of your application. For more information on this process, refer to our New York Adjuster License article.
How much is the New York adjuster license?
We recommend using AdjusterPro to prepare, which can cost as little as $199. On top of this, each exam attempt will cost $39, the application fee will either be $50 or $100, and your surety bond should be $1,000 in value. Be sure to read our AdjusterPro Course Review article for more information.
How much does an insurance adjuster earn in New York?
With between one to two years of industry experience, an insurance adjuster in New York could expect to make up to $75,000 — a figure which will naturally grow with increased experience. Our How Much Does an Insurance Adjuster Make article delves into this topic in greater detail if you are interested in finding out more.
Can I take the NY adjuster exam online?
Yes, you are able to take the adjuster exam online, though as it is a proctored exam, this means that you will sit in with a supervisor in a controlled environment. Our article on the Best Adjuster Licensing Courses will provide some guidance on how to best prepare for this test.
What states are reciprocal with NY adjuster license?
The state of New York’s adjuster license is currently reciprocated in 19 states, including Kentucky, Texas, and Michigan. As such, you can obtain an equivalent reciprocal license in any of these states without additional qualifications. For a more in-depth look into the reciprocity agreements between different states, be sure to check out our Adjuster License Reciprocity article.