Extract from the introduction to the rules of practice

In the middle of the nineteenth century, when average adjusting as a separate profession was in its infancy, there was very little in the way of established law to guide the practicing adjuster. As a consequence, many points of practice had to be decided in accordance with custom. Some of these customs were ratified subsequently by legal decisions, but others were disapproved. It became evident that, unless steps were taken to establish a reasonable measure of uniformity among average adjusters, the profession would fall into disrepute. In order to remedy this situation the Association of Average Adjusters was founded in 1869 with the principal object of the “promotion of correct principles in the adjustment of Averages and uniformity of practice amongst average adjusters”.