Insurance claim appraisal is a policy provision that resolves disputes over the value of property damage without litigation. When you and the carrier can't agree on repair costs, either party can invoke appraisal to force resolution.

Here's how it works: Each side selects an appraiser. If they disagree on the amount of loss, those two appraisers select a neutral umpire. Agreement by any two of the three creates a binding award that resolves the claim.

The result gets stuck claims resolved in weeks, not years. However, appraisal only resolves "amount of loss" disputes, not coverage disputes or causation arguments (which vary by state).

Invoke appraisal when negotiations have stalled over repair scope and cost, not coverage. If the carrier's estimate is significantly lower than actual repair costs and you've exhausted normal negotiation, appraisal forces resolution without litigation.

Traditional appraisals resolve in 6-10 weeks once invoked, while litigation drags on for years. JustClaims uses data-driven workflows to resolve appraisals in weeks, not months, eliminating the scheduling delays that plague traditional processes.

Each party pays their own appraiser and splits the umpire cost. While this is an out-of-pocket expense, it's far less expensive than litigation and resolves claims fast.

It's a common misconception. While you appoint an appraiser, their legal and ethical duty is to valuation accuracy, not to either party. Think of them as a "fact-finder." By remaining impartial, the appraiser maintains the integrity of the appraisal process. This objectivity is your greatest asset: it carries more weight with carriers and courts than biased opinions, helping reach fair resolutions faster.

Yes. Once a majority of the appraisal panel signs the award, the loss amount is final and binding for both parties. It can only be overturned in rare cases of fraud or technical non-compliance.

No. Appraisal only resolves "amount of loss" disputes. If a carrier denies coverage entirely, that's a legal issue requiring litigation, not appraisal.

A public adjuster manages the entire claim from start to finish, including coverage disputes. An insurance appraiser is a valuation specialist hired specifically to resolve cost disputes through the formal appraisal process.

Generally, only the named insured, a licensed public adjuster, or an attorney can formally demand appraisal. However, contractors often identify when appraisal is needed because carrier estimates fall short of real-world repair costs.

Look for competent, impartial professionals with deep forensic estimating expertise and a track record of building evidence-based valuations. The best appraisers use technical data and code requirements, not subjective negotiation, to reach fair outcomes.