(Des Moines, Iowa)  – The Iowa Insurance Division has issued a cease-and-desist order against William Campbell and All or Nothing LLC, a Clive, Iowa limited liability company doing business as All or Nothing Roofing and Construction.  The order claims that Campbell and his company have acted as an unlicensed public adjuster by soliciting business and offering services that require a public adjuster license in the state of Iowa.  All or Nothing LLC and Mr. Campbell have 30 days to request a hearing on the cease and desist order.

A public adjuster is any person who, for compensation, acts on behalf of an insured, during the investigation, negotiation, or settlement of a first-party claim for loss or damage to real or personal property of the insured. Iowa law requires public adjusters to be licensed.  It is important for property owners to know that if a disagreement with their insurance company arises over the cost and scope of repairs, the homeowner or a licensed public adjuster, not the contractor doing the work, needs to communicate and negotiate with their insurance company.  A contractor may provide information, such as damage reports and repair estimates, to the homeowner and, if asked, to the insurance company, but may not represent or negotiate on behalf of the homeowner.

Many times, contractors solicit business, especially after major storms, by offering services that fall under the definition of public adjusting. If an insured property owner has become involved with a contractor who has made these types of promises or commitments, the Iowa Insurance Division encourages the public to report it by emailing storm-chaser-scams@iid.iowa.gov. Deputy Commissioner Jared Kirby says “Dealing with damage from a storm is stressful for those impacted. Unlicensed storm-chasers may attempt to create expectations on settlement values or scope of repairs that do not align with the language of the insurance policy which can cause delays to claim resolution and added expense to consumers.”

It’s important for Iowans to make certain that any service provider working on storm restoration is a reputable company and provides the consumer with proof of insurance, proof of contractor registration and references to allow the consumer to make an informed decision regarding who will be chosen to perform the repairs.  Iowans with questions or concerns regarding their insurance policy or claim can file a complaint with the Iowa Insurance Division.