Resources
Practical education on the property insurance appraisal process, for every party to a claim.
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Roof Decking Requirements in Modern Building Codes
Underneath every asphalt, wood, or metal roof surface sits a structural deck, and the requirements governing that deck have changed considerably over the decades a typical Minnesota home has been standing. The International Residential Code sets out minimum standards...Browse the full Resources Index
Detached Garages, Sheds, and Outbuildings in Property Claims
Detached garages, sheds, and other outbuildings are often insured under a separate coverage category from the main dwelling, generally referred to as other structures coverage, and while these buildings can be smaller and simpler than the primary residence, evaluating...Browse the full Resources Index
Building a Fair and Transparent Appraisal Process
The overall value of the appraisal process depends heavily on fairness and transparency at every step, from selecting appraisers to reaching a final award, and understanding what supports this kind of process can benefit everyone involved. Selecting genuinely...Browse the full Resources Index
Lessons From Appraisal Case Files: Patterns Behind Smooth Resolutions
After enough appraisals, certain patterns tend to emerge, not about who prevails on a given issue, since that depends entirely on the facts of each individual loss, but about what generally makes the process itself run more smoothly. These patterns are worth...Browse the full Resources Index
How Appraisal Fits into the Overall Claims Timeline
Appraisal is generally just one potential phase within the broader life of a property insurance claim, and understanding where it typically fits into the overall timeline can help set realistic expectations. Most claims begin with reporting the loss, followed by...Browse the full Resources Index
Model Codes and Local Amendments: Why Requirements Vary
A contractor working from one county to the next in the same state can sometimes encounter requirements that differ in small but meaningful ways, and the reason traces back to how model codes function once they leave the hands of the organization that wrote them. The...Browse the full Resources Index
What Happens if One Side Refuses to Participate in Appraisal
Because appraisal clauses generally give both the policyholder and the insurer the right to invoke the process, occasionally one side may be reluctant to participate once the other side has made a demand. Understanding what typically happens in this situation can be...Browse the full Resources Index
How to Know If Your Claim Is a Good Fit for Appraisal
Not every property insurance disagreement is a good fit for the appraisal process, and understanding a few general signs can help you think through whether appraisal might be appropriate for your specific situation. Appraisal is generally designed for disputes...Browse the full Resources Index
Townhome Claims: Party Walls, Shared Roofs, and Continuous Elevations
Townhome and rowhouse style construction introduces a set of evaluation questions that differ from both a fully detached single family home and a typical condominium building, largely because individual units are physically connected to their neighbors through shared...Browse the full Resources Index
What Nationwide Appraisal Experience Brings to a Local Claim
Property insurance appraisal involves both general principles that apply broadly and specific rules that vary by state, and appraisers who have worked claims across multiple states often bring a useful, broader perspective to a local claim. Exposure to a range of...Browse the full Resources Index
How Building Codes Are Adopted and Updated Over Time
Building codes are not static documents handed down once and left alone. In the United States, most jurisdictions build their local requirements on a foundation of model codes published by the International Code Council, an organization that develops and revises the...Browse the full Resources Index
How Major Weather Events Lead to More Appraisal Requests
Large scale weather events, such as hurricanes, hail storms, or widespread wind damage, often lead to a noticeable increase in appraisal requests in the affected areas, and understanding why can provide useful context. Major storms typically generate a large...Browse the full Resources Index
Is the Appraisal Process the Same in Every State
The basic concept of appraisal, resolving disputes over the dollar amount of a covered loss using two appraisers and a neutral umpire, is common across the country, but the specific rules and procedures involved are not identical from state to state. Some states...Browse the full Resources Index
How Supplements Work When Hidden Damage Is Found
Property repairs do not always reveal their full scope until work is already underway. A roofing crew tearing off old shingles might find deteriorated decking that was not visible during the initial inspection. A contractor opening a wall to repair storm damage might...Browse the full Resources Index
Reglets and Surface Mounted Flashing on Masonry
Masonry construction presents a different flashing problem than a typical wood-framed wall, because brick, block, and stone are porous materials that move at a different rate and in a different way than the roofing or siding that meets them. Where a roof surface...Browse the full Resources Index
Does Choosing Appraisal Mean You Cannot Trust Your Insurer
Some policyholders wonder whether invoking the appraisal clause implies a lack of trust in their insurance company, or whether it might negatively affect their relationship with their insurer going forward. This is a reasonable concern, but it is worth understanding...Browse the full Resources Index
Appraisal Terms Every Policyholder Should Know: A Glossary
The appraisal process comes with its own specific vocabulary, and having a general understanding of common terms can make the process much easier to follow. Here is a short glossary of terms that come up often. Appraisal clause: the provision within a property...Browse the full Resources Index
Association Master Policy Claims and the Appraisal Process
When a loss affects a condominium or townhome association’s common property across multiple buildings, the resulting claim under the association’s master policy presents scale and consistency challenges that a single building or single unit loss typically...Browse the full Resources Index
