2025 CAT Adjuster Rules for North Carolina: Everything You Need to Know

New ID and Access Rules for CAT Adjusters in North Carolina. As hurricane season approaches, the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) has released updated procedures for out-of-state catastrophic (CAT) adjusters operating in declared disaster areas. These guidelines are critical for insurance carriers and adjusting firms planning emergency deployments.

What Companies Must Do

Before deploying adjusters to a declared disaster area in North Carolina, insurance carriers must ensure they meet a few critical requirements outlined by the NCDOI. First, each catastrophic (CAT) adjuster must be issued with a proper identification badge using the official template provided in Bulletin 25-B-06. Adjusters must also complete the North Carolina CAT Adjuster Course, which focuses on specific insurance and building code requirements for the state. The course is available online through the NC CAT Adjuster Certification Course page.

Once the adjusters are prepared, the company must notify the NCDOI’s Licensing Section with the following details:

• Adjuster’s name and state of residence
• Licensure status, including state of licensure (if applicable)
• Confirmation that the CAT course was completed

This notification should be emailed to CATAdjusterRequest@ncdoi.gov. If email is not possible, it may be faxed to (866) 565-7854, Attention: NC Catastrophic Adjuster Approval.

Who Qualifies?

Under NCGS 58-33-70(e), the Commissioner may allow out-of-state adjusters to operate in North Carolina without a state license—so long as specific conditions are met. Eligible adjusters must:

• Work for an insurance company that is authorized to do business in North Carolina
• Be engaged in emergency adjustment work specifically tied to a named catastrophe
• Comply fully with the identification and reporting procedures outlined in the bulletin

It’s important to note that public adjusters do not qualify for this temporary exemption. They must hold a valid North Carolina public adjuster license to work in the state, even during a catastrophe.

Conclusion

This bulletin provides a clear framework for ensuring your CAT adjusters are ready and compliant before they arrive. With proper training, ID, and communication to NCDOI, your team can act swiftly and effectively when disaster strikes. For a copy of the bulletin click here (open).  If you have any questions or need further information please contact the Licensing Section-Agent Services Division at 919.807.6800.