An appraisal umpire is essentially an unbiased, competent and disinterested individual who is selected in cases where the policyholder and insurance carrier are engaged in the insurance appraisal process. An umpire is a professional who is appointed by appraisers as an impartial intervener who helps make decisions when the two appraisers reach differences. When either appraiser is in agreement with the umpire on the “amount of loss” for the damages, the decision is binding. In simplest terms, an umpire is an expert on the “amount” or “costs” for items that have suffered damage.
The Umpire ‘Clause’
The umpire clause is actually quite similar to an arbitration clause. It means that the insurance policy provides for a means of settlement or resolution of a case with the intervention of a third unbiased party. This is required when the two sides involved (the insurance company and the policyholder) are unable to agree on a fair claim amount, despite hiring independent appraisers.
Appointing An Insurance Umpire
The decision with regards to the appointment of an umpire is part of an appraisal process. It is included in most property policies, but a few insurance companies may have eliminated the clause from their policy. The cost of a lawsuit or court proceedings may actually be avoided by both parties who decide to use this process for a mutually amicable resolution of their dispute.
Most legal experts suggest that the services of an umpire possibly be utilized in every appraisal process. It is not mandatory to use their services to the fullest extent, but if hired right in the beginning, i.e. when the appraisal process is initiated, they will be ready with all details related to the insurance claim case. This makes them readily available to act in case the two appraisers are unable to settle on an agreeable amount or claim value.
Benefits To Policyholders
Many a times, the policyholders are left frustrated and with no choice but to accept the amount offered by the insurance company. It is also true that in most cases, the insurance company fails to provide a notification to the policyholders about their rights of participation in various beneficial forums such as those geared towards resolving property damage claims. So the appraisal process can actually be a very effective alternative insurance claim settlement process for the policyholder, given that it is conducted in a proper and systematic manner.
(C) Joe Brennan is President and owner/operator of Insurance Claims Group, Inc., a national independent adjusting, appraisal, and umpiring firm. We will answer your claim questions FREE as part of our FREE Insurance Advice and Insurance Claim Consulting Services.
Moore, Oklahoma: Helping others, providing donations, and lending a helping hand is the American Way! Ask the victims of 9/11, Hurricanes Katrina and Andrew, Joplin, MO Tornado, and of course those still in need from Super Storm Sandy, how grateful they were to receive assistance, and pure human kindness from other human beings Worldwide… Read the rest of this entry »
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(C) Joe Brennan is President and owner/operator of Insurance Claims Group, Inc., a national independent adjusting, appraisal, and umpiring firm. We will answer your claim questions FREE as part of our FREE Insurance Advice and Insurance Claim Consulting Services.
Insurance Appraisal: It seems lately as more and more claims enter into appraisal, the clause is being invoke without merit. To actually qualify an insurance claim for the appraisal process there first must be a dispute over the “amount of loss”. However, only after the parties have exhausted negotiations. Read the rest of this entry »
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(C) Joe Brennan is President and owner/operator of Insurance Claims Group, Inc., a national independent adjusting, appraisal, and umpiring firm. We will answer your claim questions FREE as part of our FREE Insurance Advice and Insurance Claim Consulting Services.
An insurance dispute held up the demolition of a house destroyed by fire for over a year. Unfortunately, this type of situation can happen. In fact, some disputes can last even two to three years or longer. Even more unfortunate than the loss of the home was the loss of two family members who died in the fire.
The following story was broadcast by WRAL News on May 7, 2008 – one year to the day they covered the original story about the fire itself. This story has personal affects on me as I was the independent appraiser for the insured in this case.
WRAL News – The May 7, 2007, fire at 1884 Memorial Church Road, in Fremont, claimed the lives of Shannon Minshew and her 77-year-old, bed-ridden grandmother, Mayola Waddell. Read the rest of this entry »
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(C) Joe Brennan is President and owner/operator of Insurance Claims Group, Inc., a national independent adjusting, appraisal, and umpiring firm. We will answer your claim questions FREE as part of our FREE Insurance Advice and Insurance Claim Consulting Services.
Texas courts are protecting policyholders who disagree with their insurance company when it comes to fairly settling insurance claims (in this case roof hail damage claims). It’s bad enough to have insurance claim damage to your property, the last thing one needs is to have to become a professional wrestler to obtain what is rightfully theirs. Well, the Texas courts agree. Read the rest of this entry »
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(C) Joe Brennan is President and owner/operator of Insurance Claims Group, Inc., a national independent adjusting, appraisal, and umpiring firm. We will answer your claim questions FREE as part of our FREE Insurance Advice and Insurance Claim Consulting Services.
Some insurance advice should just not be ignored. When anyone suffers property damage, they should first notify their insurance company or their agent. Policyholders can call to initiate a claim or many companies now allow claims to be submitted through their websites. However, it’s always a good idea to submit your property claims via postal mail.
(C) Joe Brennan is President and owner/operator of Insurance Claims Group, Inc., a national independent adjusting, appraisal, and umpiring firm. We will answer your claim questions FREE as part of our FREE Insurance Advice and Insurance Claim Consulting Services.
In the event that a policyholder or the insurance company invoke appraisal via the insurance appraisal clause, the two appraisers must choose an umpire. Most policies require that the two independent appraisers must attempt to select and agree upon the Insurance Appraisal Umpire within 15-days of the two appraisers being named. The chosen appraisal umpire must be an impartial, unbiased, and disinterested party in the outcome of the appraisal award. Read the rest of this entry »
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(C) Joe Brennan is President and owner/operator of Insurance Claims Group, Inc., a national independent adjusting, appraisal, and umpiring firm. We will answer your claim questions FREE as part of our FREE Insurance Advice and Insurance Claim Consulting Services.
In the event of an insurance claims dispute, the Insurance Appraisal Clause within an insurance policy allows the two parties to settle the dispute using independent appraisers. The policyholder contracts an insurance appraiser, who is independent, to assess the value to the damages to their property. The insurance company hires a separate appraiser as well. The two appraisers together will select an appraisal umpire. The umpire is sort of like an arbitrator or judge. If the two appraisers cannot agree on a certain damages, the umpire makes a verdict. As long as one of the appraisers agrees with the umpire, that disagreement is settled. The umpire may agree with one independent appraiser about one point and agree with the other appraiser on another point. Eventually all points and disagreements are settled. Read the rest of this entry »
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(C) Joe Brennan is President and owner/operator of Insurance Claims Group, Inc., a national independent adjusting, appraisal, and umpiring firm. We will answer your claim questions FREE as part of our FREE Insurance Advice and Insurance Claim Consulting Services.
Disputes, especially when it comes to settling insurance claims, are not new scenarios. In fact, they take place every day. Just what causes these disputes? Well, one of the obvious reasons is most policyholders believe that they deserve to be paid a larger settlement than what they have received. Second, many insurance companies are trying to pay as little as possible on a claim. And third, claims are sometimes denied. All of which can result in a dispute. Read the rest of this entry »
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(C) Joe Brennan is President and owner/operator of Insurance Claims Group, Inc., a national independent adjusting, appraisal, and umpiring firm. We will answer your claim questions FREE as part of our FREE Insurance Advice and Insurance Claim Consulting Services.
Benefits of Umpire Services in Insurance Claims
