Bulletin 2016-07 Purposes of Licensing Temporary Adjusters due to Hurricane Matth

# South Carolina Department of Insurance Capitol Center 1201 Main Street, Suite 1000 Columbia, South Carolina 29201 NIKKI R. HALEY Governor RAYMOND G. FARMER Director Mailing Address: P.O. Box 100105, Columbia, S.C. 29202-3105 Telephone: (803) 737-6160 ## BULLETIN NUMBER 2016-07 TO: All Insurers, Adjusters, Producers, and other Persons Licensed and Authorized to Transact the Business of Insurance within the State of South Carolina FROM: Raymond G. Farmer Director of Insurance Raymond G Farmer RE: Notice of Unusual Circumstance/Catastrophe Insurance Declaration for Hurricane for South Carolina due to Hurricane Matthew for the Purposes of Licensing Temporary Adjusters DATE: October 4, 2016 S.C. Code Ann. Reg. 69-1, Adjustment of Claims under Unusual Circumstances provides that: In the event of a catastrophe where there are insufficient licensed adjusters in South Carolina to handle claims expeditiously, non-resident adjusters will be permitted to enter the State to handle the adjustments arising out of the catastrophe without being required to be licensed in South Carolina, provided that the adjuster exhibits evidence of an adjuster's license in his home state and remains in the State only for the period that is necessary to assist in the adjustments. An unusual circumstance or catastrophe exists when, due to a specific, infrequent, and sudden natural or man-made disaster or phenomenon, there have arisen losses to property in South Carolina that are covered by insurance, and the losses are so numerous and severe that resolution of claims related to such covered property losses will not occur expeditiously without the authorization of emergency adjusters by the Department due to the magnitude of the catastrophic damage. On October 4, 2016, Governor Nikki Haley declared a state of emergency due to the potential for flooding, tornado, and other wind-related damage due to Hurricane Matthew. Forecasters with the National Weather Service show Hurricane Matthew taking a westerly route after it exits the Caribbean and predict a direct hit of a Category 2 or 3 hurricane in South Carolina. The hazards created by this hurricane include damage from flash flooding, storm surge, tropical and hurricane force winds, tornado and other emergency conditions. Tropical-storm and hurricane-force winds are also highly anticipated. Hurricane or tropical-storm winds, tornadoes, wind gusts, flooding and the threat of flash flooding are imminent and represent a threat to the safety, security, welfare and property of the citizens of the State of South Carolina. Based upon this unusual circumstance, declaration of emergency and the potential for significant damage including catastrophic losses, this Department has determined in accordance with S.C. Ann. Reg. 69-1 that the licensure of temporary non-resident adjusters may be necessary. Adjusters will be available to assist with the evaluation of claims resulting from this event for South Carolina after the storm. This determination is effective immediately and will continue until further notice from the South Carolina Department of Insurance. Individuals interested in becoming licensed as non-resident, temporary adjusters may obtain the procedures and forms for licensure from this Department's internet website at doi.sc.gov/emergencyadjuster. Please direct any questions or concerns regarding this Bulletin to Andrea Bourgoin at 803-737-5757.