Our team are WIND Certified Appraisers and Umpires. Our CEO, Justin Whedbee, sits on the board of the Windstorm Network and oversees the training and certification for appraisers and umpires. Who better to know the ins and outs of the appraisal process?
Fair and Reasonable. Our mission is to find the fair and reasonable amount of the loss through alternative dispute resolution. This is often resolved in what the insurance industry refers to as the “Appraisal Clause ” or “Right To Appraisal”.
Most 1st party policies have language in them that allow for the appraisal clause in the event there is a dispute in the amount of the loss, or claim. An example of the policy language could look something like this:
Appraisal. If you and we do not agree on the amount of the loss, including the amount of actual cash value or replacement cost, then, on the written demand of either, each shall select a competent and disinterested appraiser and notify the other of the appraiser selected within 20 days of such demand. The appraisers shall first select a competent and disinterested umpire; and failing for 15 days to agree upon such umpire, then, on request of you or the company, such umpire shall be selected by a judge of a court of record in the state in which the property covered is located. The appraisers shall then appraise the loss, stating separately the actual cash value or replacement cost of each item, and, failing to agree, shall submit their differences, only, to the umpire. An award in writing, so itemized, of any two of these three, when filed with the company shall determine the amount of loss.
Each party will:
- pay its own appraiser; and
- bear the other expenses of the appraisal and umpire equally.
In no event will an appraisal be used for the purpose of interpreting any policy provision, determining causation or determining whether any item or loss is covered under this policy. Neither we nor you shall be held to have waived any rights by any act relating to appraisal.
