Clearwater Insurance Appraisal Dispute Lawyer

Whether you are in the midst of a dispute with your property insurance company following a submitted claim and seeking information about dispute resolution options, or your insurer has demanded an insurance appraisal, it is critical to understand how this process works. An insurance appraisal can be complex, and it can be difficult for Clearwater homeowners to navigate on their own. The Florida Statutes permit insured policyholders to have an attorney during the process, so it is essential to seek legal advice from an attorney at Geyer Fuxa Tyler as soon as you can. Contact our experienced Clearwater insurance appraisal dispute lawyer today.

Learning More About Insurance Appraisals in Clearwater, Florida

If you are not familiar with the insurance appraisal or methods of alternative dispute resolution in Florida for property insurance disputes, it is critical to learn more about the insurance appraisal process. More broadly, an insurance appraisal is what initially determines the value of the damage to property and the costs of repairing the damage. Under Florida law, the process of an “Insurance Appraisal” is actually a binding method of alternative dispute resolution that is possible in claims disputes where the policy has an “appraisal clause” in it. The purpose of the insurance appraisal is to resolve the dispute and for the claim to be paid out (or not) as is determined to be fair.

Who Requests a Clearwater Insurance Appraisal?

Who requests an insurance appraisal in a Florida property insurance dispute? Generally speaking, contracts that contain provisions for alternative dispute resolution tend to favor the business (i.e., the insurance company) rather than the party doing business with the company (i.e., the insured policyholder), but an insurance appraisal may benefit either party depending on the specific issue in the case. And importantly, either the insurance company or the insured policyholder can demand an insurance appraisal.

Based on relatively recent Florida Supreme Court case law, there is no lengthy waiting period before an insured policyholder can seek an insurance appraisal, and the insured policyholder can actually demand an insurance appraisal shortly after the dispute arises.

What to Expect with a Clearwater Insurance Appraisal Dispute

What should Clearwater property insurance policyholders expect from an insurance appraisal? Each side will choose their own appraiser, and then the two separate appraisals will be assessed together. If there is a difference in the results, then an “umpire” who is a neutral third party will make a binding decision about the valuation and coverage payout for the insured policyholder.

There are only rare circumstances in which the umpire’s decision is not binding, such as in cases involving fraud or other forms of misfeasance.

Let Our Clearwater Insurance Appraisal Dispute Lawyers Help

Any policyholder who is navigating a property claim dispute with their insurance company should learn more about insurance appraisals and should discuss dispute resolution options with one of the Geyer Fuxa Tyler attorneys as soon as possible. Contact our experienced Clearwater insurance appraisal dispute lawyer to discuss the details of your insurance policy and the dispute, and to begin taking steps to obtain the coverage to which you are entitled.