About the Illinois Public Adjusters Association
How It All Began
Ron Harris founded Harris Insurance Services back in the early 80’s. Jason, in addition to practicing law, became a public adjuster and worked with his father.
Ron Harris saw a future where public adjusters were organized and promoted dedication, professionalism, and integrity in the community of public adjusting. Recognizing that the industry was not organized, they began seeking and establishing the IPAA, Illinois Public Adjusters Association. Jason Harris, Ron Harris, and others contributed time, effort, and resources to the IPAA.
And so it began back in 1987, with leaders in the industry seeking to promote the welfare of the industry with a goal of setting higher standards for its members and the industry. Officially, the State of Illinois Secretary of State issued articles of incorporation to the Illinois Public Adjusters Association on May 5th, 1998.
Since that time, we have seen many changes not just in the industry itself but also in new public adjusters. We have seen contractors try to claim they had the same knowledge and dedication as public adjusters. We have seen contractors and others who are not licensed, wrongfully attempting to settle and negotiate insurance losses. Under the Public Adjuster Laws, contractors are NOT allowed to adjust claims. We have seen organizations claiming to be the Illinois Public Adjusters Association, and yet they are really a group of contractors. And so our mission continues.
The Illinois Public Adjusters Association’s mission and goals may be many. However, there remains one common element belonging to all those goals: that the members distinguish themselves as possessing integrity, the desire to help the public, superior skills of adjusting, years of experience, and knowledgeable. We welcome only those who can distinguish themselves and have the qualifications and desire to achieve results for those who have suffered insurance losses.