Understanding your general rights in the appraisal process can help you feel more confident if you ever need to use it to resolve a disagreement over the dollar amount of a covered loss.
In many policies, either the policyholder or the insurance company can invoke appraisal when the two sides disagree on the value of a covered loss, meaning this right is generally available to you as the policyholder, not just to the insurer.
You generally have the right to select your own competent and disinterested appraiser to represent your side’s independent evaluation of the loss, separate from any adjuster or estimator the insurance company may have used earlier in the process.
You generally have a say in umpire selection as well, since umpires are typically chosen jointly by the two appraisers, giving your chosen appraiser a role in that decision on your behalf.
Because specific rights and procedures can vary by policy and by state, reviewing the appraisal clause in your own policy, and asking questions of your appraiser or an attorney if anything is unclear, is the best way to fully understand your rights in a specific situation.
This article is general education about how the appraisal process commonly works. It is not legal advice, and specific procedures can vary by state and policy. If you have questions about your own claim, review your policy language and talk with your insurance company, agent, or an attorney familiar with your state’s laws.
Russ Lis is a working property insurance appraiser and umpire based in Minnesota, serving clients nationwide. Have a question about your own claim? Contact Appraisal Resolution.