Appraisal is a process that is available pursuant to many residential and commercial insurance policies. When an insured suffers a loss, rather than litigating all issues, the insured and the carrier can agree to “go to appraisal”. In this process each party appoints its own appraiser and these professionals try to agree on the dollar amount of the loss. If they cannot agree, an umpire is appointed, typically at the request of the courts, appraisers, attorneys or policyholders. Normally, the role of the umpire is not to resolve disputes regarding coverage but rather to focus on determining appropriate valuation for loss or damage.

Several of our firm’s neutrals have been serving as umpires for many years handling hundreds of appraisals as neutral umpires in all types of claims: residential, commercial and business interruption. The firm’s neutrals are often willing to provide umpire services anywhere in the state of Florida.