ABOUT CAMPBELL ADJUSTING LLC

Insurance appraisal is a formal process used to resolve a disagreement over the amount of a property loss. The policyholder and insurance company each select an appraiser to independently evaluate the disputed damages and repair costs.

If the appraisers cannot agree, they submit the remaining differences to an umpire. An agreement signed by any two members of the appraisal panel generally establishes the amount of loss, subject to the terms of the insurance policy.

Appraisal may be appropriate when the insurance company has accepted coverage for a loss, but there is a significant disagreement involving the scope of repairs, quantities, repair methods, or pricing.

Before proceeding, the claim documents and policy should be reviewed to determine whether the dispute concerns the amount of loss and whether appraisal is the appropriate next step.

Appraisal commonly addresses disagreements involving:

• The extent of covered property damage
• Necessary repair or replacement procedures
• Material quantities and measurements
• Labor and material pricing
• The reasonable cost of completing the covered repairs

Appraisal generally determines the amount of loss. It does not decide whether the policy provides coverage for a particular cause of loss.

Appraisal is generally not intended to resolve a complete coverage denial. If the insurance company has denied the entire claim, the disagreement may involve coverage rather than the amount of loss.

A partially accepted claim may still contain disputed damages or repair costs that require further review. The policy, denial letter, estimates, and claim correspondence should be examined before determining whether appraisal may apply.

Your appraiser independently evaluates the disputed property damage and develops a supported position regarding the amount of loss.

Depending on the assignment, this may include inspecting the property, reviewing photographs and reports, taking measurements, evaluating repair procedures, preparing or reviewing an estimate, communicating with the other appraiser, and participating in the umpire process when necessary.

No. An appraiser’s role is to evaluate the amount of loss within the appraisal process.

A public adjuster may assist a policyholder with presenting and negotiating an insurance claim. An attorney provides legal advice and representation. Campbell Adjusting LLC does not provide legal advice through this website or through its expert appraisal services in Texas.

Appraisal awards are commonly binding as to the amount of loss when signed in accordance with the policy’s appraisal provision. The exact effect of an award depends on the policy language and applicable law.

Appraisal establishes the amount of loss but does not necessarily require payment for damages the insurance company maintains are not covered under the policy.

The policy holder generally pays the appraiser they select, and the insurance company pays its own appraiser. The parties commonly divide the umpire’s fee and related umpire expenses equally.

The applicable policy language should always be reviewed because appraisal provisions and cost responsibilities can vary.

The timeframe depends on the complexity of the loss, the availability of the parties, whether another inspection is required, the quality of the available documentation, and whether the appraisers can reach an agreement without an umpire.

Because each file is different, Campbell Adjusting LLC does not promise a specific completion date before reviewing the claim.

Helpful documents may include:

• The insurance company’s estimate
• A contractor or public adjuster estimate
• Coverage or denial letters
• Supplement responses
• Photographs and measurements
• Engineering, inspection, or damage reports
• Repair proposals and invoices
• Relevant claim correspondence
• The insurance policy or appraisal provision, when available

Providing complete documentation helps us understand the disputed issues and determine whether the matter appears appropriate for appraisal.

No result can be guaranteed. An appraisal evaluation may support an amount that is higher than, lower than, or similar to the insurance company’s current estimate.

Campbell Adjusting LLC develops its position from the observed property conditions, reasonable repair requirements, estimating information, and available claim documentation.

Campbell Adjusting LLC may review contractor estimates and supplements to identify differences involving scope, quantities, repair procedures, Xactimate line items, or pricing.

When a contractor refers a property owner with an underpaid claim, any appraisal engagement is entered into directly with the property owner or the property owner’s authorized representative. Campbell Adjusting LLC does not represent the contractor in the insurance claim.

The first step is to identify the actual disagreement. If the insurance company has accepted the loss but the parties disagree over the necessary repairs or their cost, appraisal may be appropriate.

Campbell Adjusting LLC can review the available estimates and claim documentation and discuss whether the dispute appears to involve the amount of loss. This initial discussion does not guarantee that appraisal will be recommended.

Campbell Adjusting LLC continues to serve clients who need appraisal expert in Texas for residential and commercial property claim disputes.