by Russ Lis | May 29, 2026 | Appraisal Compared to Other Dispute Options
While appraisal itself is generally a process handled by appraisers and, if needed, an umpire rather than attorneys, there are situations where involving an attorney alongside the appraisal process can be worthwhile. If there is any uncertainty about whether a...
by Russ Lis | May 28, 2026 | Appraisal Compared to Other Dispute Options
Bad faith is a legal concept that can arise in the insurance context when there are allegations that an insurer failed to handle a claim fairly or in accordance with its obligations under the policy and applicable law. Understanding how this relates to appraisal can...
by Russ Lis | May 26, 2026 | Appraisal Compared to Other Dispute Options
Policyholders sometimes wonder whether invoking the appraisal clause affects their other rights under the policy, such as the ability to pursue other remedies if problems arise later. This is a reasonable question, and the answer generally depends on the specific...
by Russ Lis | May 24, 2026 | Appraisal Compared to Other Dispute Options
A common question about the appraisal process is whether reaching an award closes the door on any further legal action. The answer generally depends on what the underlying disagreement actually involved. An appraisal award typically resolves the specific dollar...
by Russ Lis | May 22, 2026 | Appraisal Compared to Other Dispute Options
Cost is often a significant factor when comparing appraisal to litigation, and understanding the general cost differences between the two can help explain why appraisal is a commonly used option for resolving valuation disputes. Litigation typically involves...
by Russ Lis | May 21, 2026 | Appraisal Compared to Other Dispute Options
One of the practical advantages often associated with the appraisal process is speed, particularly when compared to resolving a dispute through litigation. Understanding why appraisal often moves faster can help explain its appeal for many valuation...
by Russ Lis | May 18, 2026 | Appraisal Compared to Other Dispute Options
Appraisal is a useful tool for resolving many property insurance disputes, but it is not the right fit for every situation. Understanding its limits can help avoid pursuing the wrong process for a given disagreement. Appraisal generally applies only to disputes...
by Russ Lis | May 17, 2026 | Appraisal Compared to Other Dispute Options
While the basic concept of appraisal, using two appraisers and a neutral umpire to resolve a disputed dollar amount, is fairly consistent across the country, the specific procedures and rules involved can vary meaningfully from state to state. Some states have...
by Russ Lis | May 16, 2026 | Appraisal Compared to Other Dispute Options
Appraisal and mediation are both processes used to help resolve property insurance disputes outside of court, but they work quite differently, and understanding the distinction can help clarify which might apply to a given situation. Appraisal is generally a...
by Russ Lis | May 13, 2026 | Appraisal Compared to Other Dispute Options
When a property insurance claim reaches a genuine disagreement over the dollar amount of a loss, there are generally a few different paths available, and appraisal and litigation are two of the more common ones. Understanding how they compare can help put the...
by Russ Lis | May 12, 2026 | Business Interruption Claims
Having well organized financial records ready before a business interruption appraisal begins can make the process more efficient and help support a clear, well documented claim. Start with several years of historical profit and loss statements, which help...
by Russ Lis | May 10, 2026 | Business Interruption Claims
Business interruption claims can be complex, and a few common mistakes can make the process more difficult or reduce the strength of a business’s position if the claim ends up in appraisal. One common mistake is not maintaining thorough financial records...
by Russ Lis | May 8, 2026 | Business Interruption Claims
Because business interruption claims involve financial calculations and projections, accountants often play an important supporting role during the appraisal process for these types of losses. An accountant can help organize and present financial documentation,...
by Russ Lis | May 6, 2026 | Business Interruption Claims
While business interruption appraisals follow the same general appraisal process as property damage appraisals, the type of evidence and analysis involved can look quite different. Property appraisals generally focus on physical damage, repair costs, and...
by Russ Lis | May 4, 2026 | Business Interruption Claims
The period of restoration generally refers to the length of time reasonably needed to repair, rebuild, or replace damaged property following a covered loss, and it plays a central role in calculating a business interruption claim. Disputes over this period often...
by Russ Lis | May 3, 2026 | Business Interruption Claims
Strong documentation is especially important in business interruption claims, since these losses are based on financial records and projections rather than straightforward physical repair costs alone. Historical financial statements, including profit and loss...
by Russ Lis | May 1, 2026 | Business Interruption Claims
Extra expense coverage generally helps pay for reasonable and necessary costs a business incurs to continue operating, or to reduce the length of an interruption, following a covered property loss. Disputes over these costs can also be resolved through...
by Russ Lis | Apr 29, 2026 | Business Interruption Claims
Calculating lost income for a business interruption claim generally involves estimating what a business would have earned during the interruption period if the covered loss had not occurred, then comparing that to what the business actually earned during that...
by Russ Lis | Apr 27, 2026 | Business Interruption Claims
Business interruption claims can be disputed for a variety of reasons, often related to how lost income is calculated or how long the interruption period should reasonably last. One frequent area of disagreement is the projected income the business would have...
by Russ Lis | Apr 25, 2026 | Business Interruption Claims
Business interruption insurance, sometimes called business income coverage, generally helps replace lost income and cover certain ongoing expenses when a covered property loss forces a business to suspend or reduce operations. When the dollar value of this type of...
