Your claim was paid. Just not enough.
When your insurance company agrees the damage is covered but its estimate is far below what repairs really cost, your policy's appraisal clause can take the number out of the insurer's hands and put it in front of independent appraisers.
Start An AppraisalAppraisal settles how much, not whether
Appraisal is built for disputes over the amount of a covered loss. It's a strong fit for situations like these:
Roof and storm damage underpaid
A partial repair approved where a full replacement is needed, or hail and wind damage scoped too narrowly.
Missing items in the estimate
Rooms, materials, code upgrades or labor left out of the insurer's scope of work.
Prices below what contractors charge
Unit prices that no local contractor will match for the actual work.
Not a fit: a full denial
If the insurer says the loss isn't covered at all, that's a coverage dispute, which appraisal generally can't decide.
Adjuster Shield's 12-step appraisal process
Every policy's appraisal clause is different, so a good appraisal starts with the policy and ends with the check. Here's the path we follow.
Policy audit
Read the appraisal clause and every condition that applies.
Clear the pre-conditions
Handle any requirements the policy sets before appraisal can be demanded.
Formal demand
Invoke appraisal in writing, the way the policy requires.
Appoint your appraiser
A competent, disinterested appraiser on your side.
Enforce the timeline
Hold the insurer to the deadlines for naming its appraiser.
Umpire candidates
Propose qualified, neutral umpires.
Agree on the umpire
Work with the insurer's appraiser to settle on one.
Ask the court if needed
If the selection stalls, the policy often allows a court to appoint an umpire.
Inspection
A thorough, documented inspection of the damage.
Evidence package
Weather data, photos, estimates and building codes, organized to prove the loss.
The award
Agreement by two of the three sets the amount of loss.
Collect payment
Follow through until the award is paid.
When the number is wrong, you have three paths
Each has its place. For a straight disagreement over the amount, appraisal is often the most direct.
Accept the offer
- Fastest
- Leaves the gap in your pocket
- Repairs may fall short
Appraisal
- Independent appraisers and a neutral umpire
- Focused only on the amount of loss
- Usually faster and less costly than court
Lawsuit
- Can address coverage and conduct
- Often slow and expensive
- Needs an attorney
Get your home claim appraised the right way
Adjuster Shield provides insurance appraisal services for homeowners and property owners. We'll review your policy and the insurer's estimate, and tell you whether appraisal makes sense for your claim.