Florida Insurance Appraisal Dispute Lawyer
When an insurance company in Florida denies a policyholder’s claim, the next step is typically for the policyholder to appeal the denied claim and to seek coverage under the terms of their policy with assistance from an attorney. However, the process for resolving a denied claim can become complicated, and the policyholder may need to enter into a binding process known as “appraisal.” While you might think of the word “appraisal” as a reference to a damages amount that an adjuster comes up with during an investigation into a claim, an “Insurance Appraisal” in Florida actually refers to a form of alternative dispute resolution to resolve a disputed claim. It is important to have an attorney on your side through the appraisal process. Contact our experienced Florida insurance appraisal dispute lawyer to learn about how we can assist you.
What is a Florida Insurance Appraisal?
What is an insurance appraisal and how does it work? Under Florida law, an insurance appraisal is defined as an “alternative procedure for resolution of disputed property insurance claims.” More specifically, according to the statutory language, it is a “mediated claim resolution conference prompted by the need for effective, fair, and timely handling of property insurance claims.”
The insurance appraisal is intended to be a nonadversarial process. However, the insurance appraisal is a process that is often requested by the insurer when the policyholder disputes the denial of a claim. At the same time, policyholders may seek an insurance appraisal early on in the process in certain cases to their own benefit. You should know that, as a policyholder, you will have the ability to work with an attorney to have your claim paid out fairly after the insurance appraisal. The Florida Statutes are clear that a policyholder can request an attorney during the insurance appraisal, and you should certainly plan to do so.
An insurance company is able to demand an insurance appraisal, or a policyholder can demand an insurance appraisal, as a result of an appraisal clause in the policyholder’s property insurance policy. You should work with your attorney to understand the details in your property insurance policy and whether there is an appraisal clause.
How Can a Lawyer Help with My Florida Insurance Appraisal Dispute?
The insurance appraisal process can be extremely complicated, and at this stage of the dispute with a binding decision to be made through the process, it is critical to have an experienced attorney guiding you.
When an insurance appraisal is set to happen, what does the process entail? Both the insurance company and the policyholder will choose an impartial appraiser to assess the issue in the dispute and to make a separate evaluation. If the evaluations differ from one another, then an neutral third party known as an umpire will make a final determination.
Reach Out to Our Florida Insurance Appraisal Dispute Lawyers
Are you considering an insurance appraisal after having your claim delayed or denied by your insurance company? Or has your insurer demanded an insurance appraisal? An attorney at Geyer Fuxa Tyler can help. Contact our experienced Florida insurance appraisal dispute lawyer today.