The Appraisal Provision in your Policy

If you are having a dispute with your insurance company over the price
of the claim ( The Amount of Loss ) you may be best suited to invoke /
demand appraisal instead of hiring a public adjuster. 

This will usually yield good results if you can find an experienced appraiser in your area .
If you have chosen a contractor who does a lot of insurance work
chances are good that they have appraisers that they work with. If not
we can help you with that . Here is the wording on most appraisal
provisions :

APPRAISAL

If you (insured) and we (insurance company or insurer) fail to agree on
the amount of loss (total loss or loss in value), either one can demand
the loss to be set by appraisal. Either side shall make a written demand
for appraisal, each side shall select a competent, independent
appraiser. The appraisers shall then set the amount of loss. If the two
appraisers fail to agree within a reasonable time, they shall submit their
differences to the umpire. Written agreement by any two is binding. The
cost of hiring the umpire shall be divided equally between the insurer
and the insured.

1.

You can pay the rest of the money to your contractor out of your own
pocket. (You should never have to do this , unless you upgrade)

2.

You can walk away from the claim (Not adviseable)

3.

You can demand an appraisal in writing.

Appraisal is great because you bring in 3rd parties who do not work for

either, so they are as biased as they can be . At least that's the idea.

The appraisers pick a nuetral umpire in case they have any differences

to resolve . The 3 make up the appraisal panel. If any 2 out of the 3 on


the panel agree to the price they sign the award and it is legal, binding,

and final . That amount becomes the new amount of the claim .

The carrier pays their appraiser , you pay yours, and the costs of the

umpire ( Should you need them ) is split 50/50 between both parties.

This is a fair and inexpensive way to settle your claim . As a public

adjuster we do many appraisals every year . WE are willing to help you

for sure. Chances are your contractor may know me, or know of me

anyway. We would advise you on the best course to take on your claim .