Sometimes a claim is accepted, yet the insurer’s estimate and the policyholder’s estimate end up far apart. Many Florida property policies include a procedure called appraisal for exactly this situation. It is worth understanding before a disagreement becomes a long stalemate.

What appraisal actually is

Appraisal is a method written into many property insurance policies for resolving a disagreement over the amount of a loss. It is not a lawsuit, and it is not a hearing in front of a judge. It is a structured process, usually outlined in a short clause in your policy.

In general, each side selects its own appraiser, and the two appraisers try to agree on a figure. If they cannot, they usually choose a neutral umpire to help decide the amount that remains in dispute.

When it tends to come up

Appraisal is most often discussed when both sides agree that damage occurred and that the policy responds, but not on what repairs should cost or how extensive they need to be. A common example is a storm-damaged roof where the scope of repair or replacement is in question.

Situations where it may be raised include:

• Differences in repair or replacement estimates
• Disagreement about the extent of damage to a room or structure
• Different pricing for labor and materials
• Questions about how many items in a contents claim were affected

What it does not decide

This is the point many people miss. Appraisal generally addresses the amount of a loss, not whether the policy covers it. If the insurer has denied a portion of the claim because of an exclusion, a late-notice issue or a question about the cause of damage, appraisal alone may not resolve that.

The line between a question of amount and a question of coverage is not always clear, and it can affect how the process unfolds. If you are unsure which side of that line your dispute falls on, it is reasonable to get guidance before moving forward.

Preparing before you invoke it

Appraisal can involve costs, such as paying your own appraiser and sharing the umpire’s fee, so it is not something to enter casually. Read the clause in your policy carefully. It will describe how to request appraisal, how appraisers are chosen and what happens if they disagree.

Solid documentation makes a real difference to whoever evaluates the loss. Helpful materials often include:

• Dated photos and video of the damage
• The insurer’s estimate and any written explanation of it
• Independent contractor estimates with a clear scope of work
• Receipts for emergency repairs and temporary protection
• Your policy and any correspondence about the claim

Keep in mind that the outcome of appraisal is not something anyone can predict or promise. The process turns on the facts of the loss and the evidence presented.

Talk it through before deciding

If you are staring at an estimate that does not match the damage you can see, you do not have to sort it out alone. Aviva Insurance Adjusters, Corp. is a licensed Florida public adjuster that represents policyholders, not insurance companies, and our team has more than 18 years of Florida claims experience. We work with property owners in Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough and Hernando counties, and we are bilingual.

To talk through where your claim stands, call 1-877-351-1933 or visit avivapa.com to request a free consultation.