Activity of independent insurance claims adjusters

A regulated trade (Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act) for the independent investigation and settlement of insurance claims. The professional qualification is satisfied by secondary education with a school-leaving examination; no practice is required. The licence arises on the day of notification.

Conditions for operating

General conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act: full legal capacity and a clean criminal record.
Professional qualification (Section 7 and Annex 2 of the Trade Licensing Act in conjunction with Section 24): secondary education with a school-leaving (maturita) examination.
No practice is required.
Medical fitness is not required; liability insurance is not required.
Obstacles to operating a trade under Section 8 (among others, specific conditions in the event of insolvency / bankruptcy).
The professional qualification may be proved through a responsible representative under Section 11.

Examples of activities

Investigating the origin, extent and amount of damage from a reported insurance claim
Inspection of damaged property, a vehicle or real estate and taking photographic documentation
Assessing whether the loss event corresponds to the conditions of the insurance contract
Determining the amount of the insurance benefit and drawing up a settlement report
Settlement of insurance claims from motor vehicle insurance (collision, third-party liability)
Settlement of property damage from natural disasters, break-ins or vandalism
Investigation and settlement of insurance claims from liability insurance
Communication with the insured, the injured party and the insurer during the settlement

What the trade is and what it is for

The trade Activity of independent insurance claims adjusters is a regulated trade under Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act. It entitles you to the independent investigation and settlement of insurance claims, independent of the insurer. The adjuster ascertains whether and to what extent an insured event has occurred, investigates its causes, the extent and amount of the damage, and the basis for determining the insurance benefit.

You usually perform this activity on the basis of a contractual relationship with an insurer or reinsurer as an external supplier, or for injured parties. The aim is an objective and demonstrable assessment of the loss event so that the insurer can decide on the amount of the benefit.

What falls under this trade (and what does not)

The trade covers in particular:

inspection of the site of the damage and of the damaged property, vehicle or real estate,
ascertaining the cause, extent and circumstances of the damage,
assessing whether the event is in line with the insurance contract and the insurance conditions,
calculating and determining the amount of the damage and the insurance benefit,
drawing up the settlement report and supporting documents for the insurer.

What does not belong here: This trade is not the brokerage or distribution of insurance. The arranging of insurance contracts, their brokerage and advice on insurance products are governed separately by Act No. 170/2018 Coll., on the distribution of insurance and reinsurance, and are subject to registration with the Czech National Bank — not to the Trade Licensing Act. An adjuster does not sell insurance, but only deals with damage that has already occurred. Forensic expert opinions are reserved for experts under a special act. Ordinary service repairs or construction works fall under other, craft trades.

Statutory conditions for obtaining the trade

You must meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act:

full legal capacity (it may be substituted by the court's approval of the legal representative's consent),
a clean criminal record within the meaning of Section 6 (proved by an extract from the Criminal Records register, which the office obtains itself).

Furthermore, you must document your professional qualification. The obligation to prove professional qualification for the trades listed in Annex 2 follows from Section 7 of the Trade Licensing Act; for this regulated trade the following is required under Annex 2 of the Act and in line with Section 24:

secondary education with a school-leaving (maturita) examination.

No practice is required. Unlike craft trades, the qualification for a regulated trade cannot be substituted by general practice — the qualification is laid down directly by the Act (by Annex 2). Beware also of the obstacles to operating a trade under Section 8 (specific conditions are tied to insolvency and bankruptcy; the mere declaration of bankruptcy is not an obstacle, but certain circumstances may prevent operation for a specified period).

If you do not meet the professional qualification yourself, you may appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who meets the conditions and is responsible for the proper operation of the trade. One person may be a responsible representative for no more than four entrepreneurs.

How to notify or obtain the trade step by step

Fill in the Unified Registration Form (URF) for notifying the trade.
Submit it at any municipal Trade Licensing Office, electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT contact point.
Document the proof of professional qualification (school-leaving certificate). The office verifies the clean criminal record itself.
Pay the administrative fee.
The Trade Licensing Office makes the entry in the Trade Register usually within 5 working days of the day of delivery of the notification. The licence arises on the day of notification if the conditions are met.

You can find the detailed procedure in the guide How to start a trade.

Documents and fees

A completed URF (notification of the trade).
Proof of education — the school-leaving certificate (professional qualification).
Proof of the responsible representative under Section 11, if you appoint one.
An administrative fee of CZK 1,000 for the first notification of a trade; CZK 800 for filing electronically via rzp.gov.cz.
The clean criminal record (extract from the Criminal Records register) is arranged by the office.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a university education?

No. Secondary education with a school-leaving (maturita) examination is sufficient. The Act does not require a higher level of education.

Do I need practice in insurance?

No. For this regulated trade, no practice is required. What is decisive is documenting the school-leaving education.

Can I arrange insurance contracts thanks to this trade?

No. The distribution and brokerage of insurance are governed by Act No. 170/2018 Coll. and require registration with the Czech National Bank. The adjuster only investigates and settles insurance claims that have already arisen.

Do I need liability insurance or a medical certificate?

According to the database of regulated activities, neither liability insurance nor medical fitness is required. Contractual liability insurance may, however, be imposed on you by the insurer for whom you work.

When can I start doing business?

The licence arises on the day of notification, provided you meet the general conditions and the professional qualification. The office makes the entry in the register usually within 5 working days.