The basic difference lies in which types of insurance you have the authority to handle claims for. The all-lines adjuster license includes property and casualty (P&C) for residential, commercial, automobile, farm & ranch, inland marine, ocean marine, as well as workers’ comp insurance. The P&C license covers all of the above, with the exception of workers’ comp. So to put it plainly, all-lines includes workers’ comp and P&C does not.
For those who want a more detailed look, let’s review each type of insurance:
Residential – property used primarily for dwelling
Commercial – property used for business, recreation, worship, etc (not for dwelling)
Auto – cars, motorcycles, and covered vehicles used for non-commercial transport
Farm & Ranch – dwelling, outbuildings, barns, animals, equipment, crops in storage (crops in the field typically require separate crop insurance)
Inland Marine – commercial trucks in transit and their cargo; docks, piers, bridges
Ocean Marine – sea vessels and their cargo (the first type of insurance as we know it today)
Workers’ Comp – employees injured while on the job
So which license do you need? We recommend the All-Lines adjuster license because it certifies you to handle more lines of insurance and represents the most comprehensive license available. And while you may only handle residential or auto, you won’t be restricted to doing so because of your license.
