Steps to Invoke the Appraisal Clause

The Appraisal Clause in an auto policy is the insured’s secret weapon for leveling the playing field when facing lowball settlement offers from insurance carriers.

This clause is designed to protect policyholders and insurers alike by offering a fair and impartial mechanism for determining disputed loss amounts. When disagreements arise, invoking the appraisal clause allows both parties to appoint independent appraisers and, if necessary, an umpire to arrive at a binding resolution. 

Before requesting a Right to Appraisal review, please check your policy to confirm it includes an Appraisal provision, typically listed as shown below. 

APPRAISAL

A. If "we" and "you" do not agree on the amount of loss, either may

demand an appraisal of the loss. In that event, each party will

select a competent appraiser. The two appraisers will select

an umpire. The appraisers will state separately the amount of

loss. If they fail to agree, they will submit their differences to the

umpire. A decision agreed to by any two will be binding. Each party

will:

1. Pay its chosen appraiser; and

2. Bear the expenses of the appraisal and umpire equally.

1) Contact the IAS Claims team for a free consultation to see if your claim is a good candidate to invoke the Appraisal Clause.

2) Retain our firm as your appointed appraiser to represent you in this claim. Our company and appraiser information will need to be given to your insurance carrier at the 1st notification of appraisal.

3) Contact your insurance company in writing, stating that you are invoking your appraisal right due to the inability to reach a mutually agreeable settlement. (This is the typical way to invoke an Appraisal Clause, but it’s a good idea to review your insurance policy for specific language that describes how to invoke the Appraisal Clause.) 

Typical email language to initiate the Appraisal Clause Process:

Attn: Claims Department

I'm invoking my Right to Appraisal under my insurance policy, disputing your assessed Loss Value. The IAS Claims Network is representing me, and requests confirmation of this letter's receipt within five business days via fax, email or US Mail.

After selecting an independent appraiser, please have them contact the IAS Claims Network to begin the appraisal process.

4) Your insurance company will respond and choose an independent appraiser to appraise your vehicle and contact our company.

5) Your IAS Claims appraiser and the insurance company appraiser share their results and will attempt to come to an agreement. Both appraisers are required to agree on an umpire within 14 days of their initial contact. In the unlikely event that the appraisers can’t come to an agreement, the chosen umpire will decide the final award. The umpire’s decision is final.

6) How much does it cost? Auto Appraisal Clause fees start at $295.00 for a normal auto. Specialty vehicles & property damage claims are billed at $150 an hour. Specialty vehicles would include RV’s, Heavy Equipment, Semi Trucks, Classic autos, Motorcycles etc. Umpire fees can range depending on the claim & are split between the insured and insurance company.

7) Does the IAS Claims Network guarantee a higher settlement? 

We can’t promise a higher settlement, but our track record shows we’ve never had a case that didn’t result in a settlement exceeding our appraisal fee. If we can’t secure a higher settlement that at least covers the cost of our fee, the insured owes nothing.

Start your Free Appraisal Clause Review by emailing us a copy of your insurance carriers market valuation report to claims@iasclaimsnetwork.com