How the Insurance Appraisal Process Works
A Clear Path to Resolving Underpaid Insurance Claims
When an insurance claim doesn’t reflect the true scope or cost of damage, your policy often includes a built-in solution: appraisal. Appraisal is designed to resolve disagreements over the value of a loss in a fair, structured, and policy-backed way.
Team Riley Adjusting helps guide you through this process — so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
What Is Insurance Appraisal?
Insurance appraisal is a formal process outlined in most property insurance policies. It is used when the policyholder and the insurance company disagree on the scope or cost of damage, not on coverage itself.
Rather than prolonged disputes or uncertainty, appraisal allows both sides to rely on independent evaluation to reach a fair resolution.
When Appraisal Is Used
Appraisal is commonly used when:
Damage is approved for partial repair but full replacement is warranted
Key elements of the loss are overlooked or undervalued
Estimates differ significantly from the actual cost of repair
Claims stall due to unresolved valuation disagreements
If the damage exists and coverage is not in question, appraisal may be the right next step.
How the Appraisal Process Works
Appraisal Is Invoked
Either party can invoke appraisal under the terms of the policy. Once invoked, the process follows a structured framework.
Independent Appraisers Are Appointed
Both the policyholder and the insurance company appoint their own independent appraiser to evaluate the loss.
Damage Is Evaluated
Each appraiser inspects the property, documents the damage, and prepares an objective assessment of the scope and cost of repairs.
Differences Are Resolved
The appraisers compare findings and work toward agreement. If needed, an umpire may be involved to help resolve remaining differences.
Resolution Is Reached
Once the appraisal is complete, the agreed scope and estimate become binding under the policy.
Why Appraisal Matters
Appraisal helps:
Remove uncertainty from the claims process
Ensure damage is evaluated accurately
Provide a clear, defensible scope of work
Allow repairs to move forward without prolonged disputes
It exists to ensure claims are resolved based on facts, documentation, and the policy itself.
How Team Riley Adjusting Helps
Team Riley Adjusting serves as a steady, experienced guide throughout the appraisal process. We help ensure the process is followed properly, the damage is evaluated thoroughly, and the resolution reflects the true scope of the loss.
Our role is to remove conflict and bring clarity.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If your insurance claim doesn’t reflect the true scope of damage, appraisal may provide the clarity you need.