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<p class="MsoNormal">Alan,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The final piece of that puzzle “communicate with the carrier’s adjuster to finalize the claim” is somewhat troubling as that is what a public adjuster is licensed to do. With that said, however, Section 626.854(15) provides as follows:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="number"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:navy">(15) </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:navy">A licensed contractor under
part I of chapter 489, or a subcontractor, may not adjust a claim on behalf of an insured unless licensed and compliant as a public adjuster under this chapter. However, the contractor may discuss or explain a bid for construction or repair of covered property
with the residential property owner who has suffered loss or damage covered by a property insurance policy, or the insurer of such property, if the contractor is doing so for the usual and customary fees applicable to the work to be performed as stated in
the contract between the contractor and the insured.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I think that a contractor can certainly submit the estimate of work to be provided, which can include overhead and profit. The contractor can also discuss the bid/estimate with the insurer. The contractor cannot take the next step of
negotiating the amounts to be paid under the insurance policy. Usually, when there is a coverage dispute, the contractor, as an assignee, will file a breach of contract suit, or engage an attorney to negotiate coverage. This is because an attorney is exempted
from public adjuster licensure requirements under Florida law. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nevertheless, so long as the contractor did not perform work that would fall under public adjusting licensure, then the provision that may be deemed illegal may be stricken with the remaining portions intact.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But as Lee just mentioned, there is a case <i>Gables I Townhomes v. Sunmark Restoration</i> out of the 3d DCA that is a bit concerning regarding these types of contracts. That case however is, in my opinion, an outlier. It was entered
in 1996 and not a single case cites to it since that time. Additionally, there was no assignment of benefits in the
<i>Gables</i> case, which makes it factually distinguishable in my opinion as an assignment of benefits provides the contractor all rights in the post-loss benefits and causes of action. That is just my .02.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> clc-discussion-bounces@lists.flabarrpptl.org <clc-discussion-bounces@lists.flabarrpptl.org>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>alanhlubitzpa@bellsouth.net<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, September 26, 2018 1:51 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> clc-discussion@lists.flabarrpptl.org<br>
<b>Cc:</b> 'James Baker' <jim@accmastercraftfl.com>; 'Scott Haft' <SrHaft@haftlawgroup.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [CLC-Discussion] General Contractor License and Florida Public Adjuster License Question<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Colleagues,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">My firm represents a contractor that has been performing Hurricane Irene repairs to single family homes in South Florida. My client’s contract
with the homeowner requires it to estimate the cost to repair the damage, transmit the estimate to the homeowner’s insurance carrier and communicate with the carrier’s adjuster to finalize the claim. The contract states that the contractor will accept the
amount paid by the insurance company, plus the amount of the insurance deductible paid by the homeowner, as full compensation for the repairs.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The homeowner wrongfully terminated the contract, and my client filed suit. One of the affirmative defenses to the claim is that the contract
is illegal because the contractor is not licensed as a Florida public adjuster. My client insists that this affirmative defense has no merit. Does anyone have a case or ruling that supports my client’s position?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">I look forward to your responses.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Alan<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Alan H. Lubitz, Esq.
<br>
Law Office of Alan H. Lubitz, P. A. <br>
101 Plaza Real South<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Suite 401<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Boca Raton, FL 33432
<br>
Phone: 561-368-4404<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Cell: 305-742-6556<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:alanhlubitzpa@bellsouth.net"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue">alanhlubitzpa@bellsouth.net</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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