Rockwell Man Charged with Unlicensed Public Adjusting and Insurance Fraud

IA Insurance Press Releases

Filed April 3rd, 2026

Detected April 4th, 2026

Summary

The Iowa Insurance Division's Fraud Bureau charged Joseph Starr, 39, of Rockwell, with two counts of acting as a public adjuster without a license and one count of insurance fraud (Class D felony). Starr allegedly negotiated insurance claims on behalf of clients with Farm Bureau Financial Services and Osage Insurance while employed by Sibling Construction, and submitted invoices for work not yet completed.

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What changed

Joseph Starr was charged on March 24, 2026, with two counts of unlicensed public adjusting and one count of insurance fraud (Class D felony). The Iowa Insurance Division's Fraud Bureau investigation revealed that Starr, an employee of Sibling Construction, negotiated insurance claims with Farm Bureau Financial Services and Osage Insurance on behalf of clients, and submitted invoices for uncompleted work. Starr was arrested on March 27, 2026, at Cerro Gordo County Jail.

Iowa law prohibits contractors performing repairs from acting as public adjusters on the same insurance claim. Construction firms and contractors should ensure compliance with this restriction. Any entity or individual engaging in public adjusting activities without proper licensure faces criminal exposure. Iowans with information about insurance fraud can contact the Iowa Insurance Division's Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

What to do next

Verify that no employees or affiliated contractors are engaging in public adjusting activities without proper licensure
Ensure separation between repair work and insurance claim negotiation functions
Report suspected insurance fraud to the Iowa Insurance Division Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556

Penalties

Class D felony charges for insurance fraud; additional penalties for unlicensed public adjusting under Iowa law

Source document (simplified)

Rockwell Man Faces Charges for Public Adjusting without a License and Insurance Fraud

Friday, April 3, 2026
Press Release

DES MOINES, IA – Joseph Starr, 39, of Rockwell, was charged on March 24, 2026, with two counts of Acting as a Public Adjuster without a License and one count of Insurance Fraud—Presenting False Information (Class D Felony). The charges followed an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division's Fraud Bureau.

According to criminal complaints filed by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau, Starr was an employee of Sibling Construction and is accused of engaging in multiple acts of unlicensed public adjusting. Starr allegedly negotiated insurance claims on behalf of clients with both Farm Bureau Financial Services and Osage Insurance, actions which would financially benefit himself and his company. Furthermore, Starr submitted invoices for compensation for work that had not yet been completed.

Starr was arrested and booked at the Cerro Gordo County Jail on March 27, 2026.

Iowa law restricts a contractor completing the repairs from acting as a public adjuster on the insurance claim. Iowans can view a list of licensed public adjusters in Iowa at the Iowa Insurance Division’s website.

No further information regarding this case will be provided at this time. Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.