Insurance umpire services
An umpire is the neutral third member of an appraisal panel. Nelson Avila, CPAU, accepts umpire appointments made by agreement of both appraisers or by a court.
The umpire decides the items the two party-appointed appraisers cannot agree on. Under most appraisal clauses, a written award agreed to by any two of the three panel members sets the amount of loss.
How an umpire is selected
The two appraisers choose the umpire together. If they cannot agree within the period the policy sets, which is 15 days in many homeowners policies, either party may ask a court to choose. Nelson accepts both kinds of appointment.
What the umpire does
- Confirms the scopeIdentifies in writing the items still in dispute and what the policy asks the panel to decide.
- Reviews both positionsReads each appraiser's estimate, documentation and written submission.
- Inspects when neededInspects the property when either appraiser asks or the dispute calls for it.
- Decides the disputed itemsWorks with the appraisers toward an award that two panel members can sign.
Neutrality standards
- No financial interest in the property or the outcome
- Written disclosure of any prior relationship with a party, attorney or appraiser before accepting
- All communications shared with both appraisers; no discussion of the claim with one appraiser alone
- Fees agreed in writing and not tied to the award
Impartiality
Before accepting any assignment, Skyland checks for conflicts and discloses in writing any prior relationship with a party, attorney or appraiser on the claim. Fees are agreed in writing and never depend on the amount of the award.
Umpire fees
Umpire fees are paid the way the policy's appraisal clause provides. Many homeowners policies split the umpire's cost and other appraisal expenses equally between the policyholder and the insurer. How fees work ›
Need an appraiser or umpire?
Send the claim basics and the role you need. Nelson Avila reviews each request and replies by phone or email.