When two appraisers in a property insurance dispute cannot agree, or in some cases before they even begin their work, many policies call for a neutral third party called an umpire to be brought into the process. Understanding how that selection typically happens can make the step feel less mysterious.
In most cases, the two party appointed appraisers are the ones who select the umpire together. They may propose candidates to each other, review qualifications and experience, and try to agree on someone both consider fair and capable.
Many policies describe the umpire the same way they describe the appraisers, as someone who should be competent and disinterested, meaning qualified for the type of loss involved and without a personal or financial stake in the outcome beyond their fee.
If the two appraisers cannot agree on an umpire within a reasonable time, many policies provide a fallback, often allowing either party to ask a court in the relevant jurisdiction to appoint one. This court involvement is usually limited to the umpire selection step itself, not the underlying valuation dispute.
Because umpire selection procedures can differ from policy to policy and from state to state, reviewing the specific appraisal clause in your own policy is the best way to understand exactly how the process would work for your claim.
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.