Insurance Umpires

what is an "appraisal"?

APPRAISAL

If the policyholder/insured and the insurer/insurance company fail to agree as to the amount of loss, then, on the written request of either, each shall select a competent and disinterested appraiser to review the claim value and policy coverage.

• Do you disagree as with the amount of your insurance claim loss? Appraisal could be the best alternative to expensive legal action or time consuming regulatory complaints against your insurer.

• Have you received a settlement that significantly under values the damages to your property?

• Do you believe the damage to you property warrants full replacement but your insurance company wants to repair?

• Do you have property damage but your insurance company disagrees?

• Does it feel like your claim has come to a screaching halt?

• Have you received a denial letter on your claim because your insurance company claims your damage is less than your deductible?

typical appraisal language

Once the appraisal request is accepted, the parties appraisers select a competent and disinterested umpire; if the two appraisers cannot mutually agree on an umpire, then, on request of the policyholder/insured or the insurer/insurance company, the umpire shall be selected by a judge of a court of record in the state in which the property covered is located. Appraisal proceedings are informal unless the policyholder/insured and the insurer/insurance company mutually agree otherwise. “Informal” means that no formal discovery shall be conducted, including depositions, interrogatories, requests for admission, or other forms of formal civil discovery, no formal rules of evidence shall be applied, and no court reporter shall be used for the proceedings.The appraisers then appraise the loss, stating separately actual cash value and loss to each item. Only if the appraisers fail to agree shall they submit their differences to the umpire. A written and itemized appraisal award will be filed with the insurer/insurance company when any 2 of the 3 parties (Appraisers & Umpire) agree to an amount for the actual cash value of the loss. Once filed with the insurer/insurance company this amount is the amount of the loss.

Each appraiser shall be paid by the party selecting him or her and the expenses of appraisal and umpire shall be paid by the parties equally.

Insurance Appraisers and Umpires are not required to be licensed in most states but typically have relevant experience and/or credentials. Dottrio maintains the following certifications from the National Association of Insurance Umpires:

CPIU© - Chartered Property Insurance Umpire©

RGA© - Registered General Appraiser©

Public Adjusters and General Contractors often serve as Appraisers and/or Umpires in the insurance claims Appraisal process. General Contractors bring a wealth of knowledge in the areas of labor and material pricing to the process. Public Adjusters bring an expert understanding of the terms and conditions found in the insurance policy to the process. Dottrio is the first Maryland Public Adjuster firm to be licensed as both a Public Adjuster and General Contractor firm and certified as Insurance Claims Appraisers and Umpires. This unique set of credentials makes Dottrio the obvious choice when seeking expert assistance in the insurance claim appraisal process in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, DC & Pennsylvania.

Call us for a no cost, no obligation consultation and inspection. Contact us today at 1-844-368-8746 or via email at: admin@dottrio.com