Draft — not legal advice, not reviewed by counsel. See README.md.
Effective 13 October 2026 — incorporated into terms.md.
Applies to shops operating in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware and New York.
The short version
In states that license motor vehicle damage appraisers or estimators, appraisals and supplements must be prepared and negotiated by a person holding the required licence. SuppSmith output is reference material for that licensed person and is not an appraisal.
Why this notice exists
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware and New York each license motor vehicle damage appraisers (titles and thresholds vary by state). In these states, only a licensed appraiser may prepare, sign or negotiate a vehicle damage appraisal or supplement. SuppSmith is built so that it never does the licensed work itself — your estimator does.
What SuppSmith is, in these states
- SuppSmith reads an insurer estimate and suggests operations, parts and documentation your estimator may wish to consider, with citations.
- SuppSmith's output is not an appraisal, is not signed as one, and is not represented to any insurer as having been prepared by a licensed appraiser.
- Your licensed appraiser/estimator reviews every suggestion, exercises independent professional judgment, and is the one who prepares, signs and submits the supplement.
- SuppSmith does not communicate with insurers, does not hold itself out as a licensed appraiser, and is not compensated based on claim outcomes.
What this means for your shop
- Only route SuppSmith's suggestions through a person at your shop who holds the licence required in your state.
- Do not present a SuppSmith-generated package to an insurer as if it were independently prepared by a licensed appraiser without that appraiser's actual review and sign-off.
- Keep records showing your licensed appraiser reviewed and approved what was submitted, consistent with your normal practice.
State regulators
| State | Regulator |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board (ADALB) |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Insurance Department — Motor Vehicle Physical Damage Appraiser licence |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation — Motor Vehicle Damage Appraiser |
| Delaware | Delaware Department of Insurance — Auto Appraiser licence |
| New York | New York State Department of Motor Vehicles — Motor Vehicle Body Damage Estimator |
Licensing requirements change; confirm current requirements with your state regulator.
Relationship to other documents
This notice is incorporated by reference into terms.md and reflects the "nature of the
service" clause there. It does not limit or replace the disclaimers and liability terms in
terms.md.
Contact
HVN Group Limited — support@suppsmith.com — Flat/Rm 01, 27/F, Comweb Plaza, 12 Cheung Yue Street, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong