Many auto policies include an appraisal provision for disagreements over the amount of loss: each side selects an appraiser, the appraisers select an umpire, and any two decide. Here is how it generally works and what to check in your own policy.
A widely used standard personal auto policy form includes an appraisal provision along these lines: if you and the insurer do not agree on the amount of loss, either may demand an appraisal; each selects a competent and impartial appraiser; the two appraisers select an umpire; the appraisers state separately the actual cash value and the amount of loss, and submit differences to the umpire; a decision agreed to by any two is binding; each party pays its own appraiser and shares the umpire’s and other appraisal expenses equally.
Upload the valuation report your insurer sent you. In about a minute you see which items may not add up — free. The full review report with a draft letter you edit and send yourself is $79.
Check my report →Many do, but not all, and wording varies. Read the “Appraisal” section of your own policy.
No. We provide information about your insurer’s report. If you use your policy’s appraisal provision, you choose your own appraiser.
FairTotalLoss is a self-help information tool. We are not a public adjuster, appraiser, or law firm; we do not represent you, contact your insurer, or negotiate your claim, and we do not advise on insurance coverage. Our reports describe what your valuation report shows and questions you may choose to ask; they are not an appraisal and not a substitute for advice from a licensed public adjuster or attorney. Fixed price, unrelated to any settlement outcome.