Which of the following is a violation of the rules governing public adjusters?

Accepting referral fees from business partners constitutes a violation of the rules governing public adjusters because it can lead to conflicts of interest and compromise the integrity of the profession. Public adjusters are expected to act in the best interest of their clients and maintain transparency and ethical standards. Accepting referral fees can create a situation where the public adjuster may prioritize financial gain over the client's needs, thus potentially damaging the relationship of trust that should exist between the adjuster and the policyholder.

In contrast, providing estimates for less than five years is generally acceptable, as adjusters often work on a case-by-case basis and may provide estimates for various timeframes depending on the specific circumstances of a claim. Communicating with an insurer is a routine part of the claims process and is important for facilitating negotiations and reaching settlements. Additionally, conducting inspections without the presence of the adjuster is not inherently a violation, as there are scenarios where an adjuster might allow or arrange for inspections to be carried out under defined circumstances that still comply with regulatory standards.