TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that a 2008 Florida law establishing a 48-hour moratorium on public adjusters is unconstitutional on the basis it restricts their commercial speech.
    
The decision was a blow to the insurance industry and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, who appealed a lower court ruling that was upheld by the high court Thursday.
    
The insurance industry sided with Atwater's challenge largely because many commercial insurers provide their own adjusters to assist in claims.
    
The Florida Legislature passed the law four years ago to create a 48-hour waiting period before property owners would be able to receive any information from public adjusters about potential damages in the aftermath of a storm.
    
Atwater's office did not have any immediate comment on the decision.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)