How the Insurance Appraisal Process Plays a Role in the Claims Process

After discovering home damage from a storm, or an interior pipe or appliance leak, you file a claim with your homeowners insurance company. They offer to settle your claim for $10,000. Your research indicates that the damage will cost more than $100,000 to repair. The insurance company refuses to budge. How can you receive the compensation you deserve?

The Insurance Claim Appraisal Process

The next step in the process may be an insurance claim appraisal. This is a faster and less costly process than a lawsuit.

If you read through the details of your homeowners insurance policy, you may find a section called “Appraisal.” In this section, it notes that if the homeowner and insurance company cannot agree on the value of a loss, then both parties may resolve their dispute through an insurance claims appraisal process.

In this process, each party hires and pays for an appraiser of their choice. An appraiser is a trained professional who estimates the cost of repairing the damage caused by the covered peril. The two appraisers agree on an umpire – a third professional who acts as a neutral referee between the two appraisers. The cost of the umpire is split 50/50 between the homeowner and the insurance company.

Both appraisers and the umpire will inspect the damage and develop estimates for repairing it. The three of them will discuss their findings on site. If they cannot come to an agreement, the umpire will have the final say. The findings of the appraisal process are binding.

It’s important to note that the appraisers and umpire evaluate the value of the damage – they do not evaluate whether or not the damage is covered by the insurance policy.

Finding an Insurance Claim Appraiser or Umpire

It is essential that you hire an experienced appraiser and umpire who is an expert in the field, such as Dan Labow of Get Paid For Your Claim. Dan received both his appraiser and umpire certifications from the Insurance Appraiser and Umpire Association (IAUA) and the Windstorm Network, the 2 leading organizations governing the appraisal process. Dan has served as an appraiser and/or umpire in resolving hundreds of insurance disputes and has the experience and know-how to maximize your chances of receiving the largest possible settlement.

If you need an expert appraiser or umpire to support you through the insurance claim appraisal process, or if you need any assistance at all in resolving your homeowners insurance claim, contact Get Paid For Your Claim. From appraisers and umpires to public adjusters, we have a top-notch team assembled and ready to fight to help ensure that your insurance company gives you the compensation that you deserve for your loss.

Insurance companies have their own team of experts and insurance adjusters to advocate on their behalf.  At Get Paid For Your Claim, weadvocate for you.  As a licensed and bonded Public Adjuster, we help insurance policyholders who have been forced to use insurance to make a claim.

Our service is fast and to the point.  We get results.  We know how to strategically move the process along, while negotiating on our clients’ behalf toward the best possible outcome — the maximum settlement available.

The earlier a public adjuster is brought into the process, the better the opportunity to help you obtain a more favorable claim settlement. As soon as you engage our team, we swing into action on your behalf.  And, we support you throughout the entire claim process to achieve the maximum insurance recovery. 

For a free inspection and claim consultation, please contact us at any of our convenient Florida locations:

BOCA RATON

2255 Glades Road
Suite 324A
Boca Raton, Florida   33431
Phone: (954) 914-5454

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STUART

1 SE Ocean Blvd
Stuart, Florida   34994
Phone: (772) 291-1903

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FORT MYERS

9160 Forum Corporate Parkway
Suite 350
Fort Myers, Florida   33905
Phone: (239) 299-4050

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WELLINGTON

12161 Ken Adams Way
Suite 110-UU
Wellington, Florida   33414
Phone: (561) 223-6889

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VERO BEACH

601 21st Street
Suite 300
Vero Beach, Florida   32960
Phone: (772) 206-3310

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