Posted on: October 15, 2026 by Huntersure
Taking on more claims doesn’t necessarily change an independent adjuster’s professional responsibilities. Adding claims consulting, file audits, or advisory services, however, may introduce exposures that weren’t considered when the original coverage was placed. For agents reviewing miscellaneous professional liability (MPL) insurance, changes in an adjuster’s services should prompt a review of the existing policy.
Expanding services doesn’t automatically mean coverage is inadequate. The concern is whether the adjuster’s new responsibilities fall within the professional services contemplated by the policy.
Independent adjusters investigate and evaluate insurance claims on behalf of insurers. Their claims-handling responsibilities may include inspecting damage, reviewing documentation, estimating losses, and reporting findings.
An adjuster who accepts more assignments involving the same services may see an increase in workload without expanding the scope of professional responsibilities. However, accepting new types of work can introduce different allegations of professional negligence.
For example, an independent adjuster who handles property damage inspections may begin offering claims-file audits and consulting services to insurance companies. The firm now reviews other adjusters’ work and makes recommendations about claims-handling procedures. If a client alleges that those recommendations contributed to an improper claims decision or financial loss, the dispute could involve the firm’s consulting services rather than its traditional adjusting work.
The adjuster’s existing E&O policy may address those services. But agents should verify the applicable terms rather than assume that all claims-related work receives the same treatment.
MPL insurance addresses allegations of negligence, errors, or omissions arising from professional services, subject to the policy’s terms and conditions. The services a business performs are central to evaluating its professional liability needs.
For independent adjusters, agents should compare current operations against the professional services described in the original application and policy documents.
An adjuster originally insured for property claims investigations may now provide additional services involving file reviews, claims consulting, or recommendations to insurers. Those activities could create professional responsibilities that differ from the work described when coverage began.
An adjuster’s job title alone cannot establish which services the policy covers. Agents need to review the policy language, including the definition of professional services and any applicable endorsements or exclusions.
A coverage review should establish what the adjuster currently does, what responsibilities have changed, and whether the existing policy addresses the expanded operations.
Agents can focus on four areas:
Ideally, agents should review planned services before the adjuster accepts new contractual responsibilities. Changes identified during the policy term may warrant a discussion with the underwriter rather than waiting until renewal.
Agents should also update the insured’s description of operations when necessary. Professional liability insurance programs can differ in how they address specific services, so general descriptions of E&O coverage cannot confirm how an individual policy will respond to a claim.
An independent adjuster’s existing coverage may remain appropriate as the business grows. However, new consulting, auditing, or advisory responsibilities warrant a closer look at the policy’s professional services provisions.
Huntersure offers E&O insurance for claims adjusters and other insurance professionals. Agents reviewing MPL insurance for clients with expanded responsibilities can get in touch with Huntersure’s underwriting team to discuss their services and explore appropriate coverage options.
Huntersure LLC is a full-service Managing General Agency that has provided insurance program administration for professional liability products to our partners across the United States since 2007. We specialize in providing insurance solutions for businesses of all sizes. Our program features can cover small firms (grossing $2.5 million annually) to large corporations (grossing $25 million annually or more). We make doing business with us easy with our breadth and depth of knowledge of E&O insurance, our proprietary underwriting system that allows for responsive quoting, binding, and policy issuance and tailored products to meet the needs of your insureds. Give us a call at (855) 585-6255 to learn more.
