01 / POLICYHOLDER
YOUR APPRAISER
Selected by the policyholder to evaluate the damage and determine the amount of loss.
Property Insurance Appraisal Services
WHEN THE
NUMBERS DON'T
AGREE.
When an insurance company and policyholder disagree on the amount of a property loss, the appraisal process provides a structured method for resolving the valuation dispute.
Understanding the Appraisal Process
WHAT IS APPRAISAL?
Appraisal is a dispute-resolution process available under many property insurance policies when the policyholder and insurance company disagree on the amount of loss. When properly invoked, each party selects an appraiser. The appraisers evaluate the loss and attempt to agree on the amount. If they cannot agree, an umpire may become involved.
02 / INSURANCE COMPANY
CARRIER'S APPRAISER
Selected by the insurance company to evaluate the disputed amount of loss.
03 / DISPUTE RESOLUTION
THE UMPIRE
Participates when the appraisers cannot agree. An award signed by any two generally establishes the appraised amount, subject to policy terms and applicable law.
Appraisal generally determines the amount of loss. It does not automatically establish insurance coverage or resolve every coverage dispute.
When to Consider Appraisal
WHEN THE ESTIMATES DON'T ALIGN.
Disagreements over the cost or scope of property repairs can prevent a claim from moving forward. When the parties cannot agree on the amount of loss, appraisal may provide a way to resolve those differences without litigation.
- Significant differences between the carrier's and contractor's estimates
- Disagreements over the extent of damage or necessary repairs
- Disputes involving repair versus replacement costs
- Differences in labor rates, material pricing, or repair methods
- Disagreements over quantities or measurements of damaged property
- An unresolved amount-of-loss dispute after attempts to agree
Whether appraisal is available depends on the policy, the dispute, and applicable law.
How the Process Works
FROM DISAGREEMENT
TO RESOLUTION.
A structured approach to evaluating disputed property damage and determining the amount of loss.
01
REVIEW
Review the policy's appraisal provision, claim documentation, and disputed estimates to determine whether appraisal may be appropriate.
02
APPOINT
The policyholder and insurance company each select an appraiser in accordance with the policy's appraisal provision.
03
EVALUATE
The appraisers assess disputed damage, review repair scopes and costs, and attempt to agree on the amount of loss.
04
RESOLVE
If the appraisers cannot agree, an umpire may participate in resolving remaining differences. An award signed by any two of the three generally establishes the appraised amount, subject to policy terms and applicable law.
CDR Inspections LLC
LET'S REVIEW
YOUR DISPUTE.
Disagree with your insurance company's repair estimate? Contact CDR Inspections to discuss whether appraisal may be appropriate.
SEND AN INQUIRY
Complete the form below. You can also email claims@cdrinspections.com directly.