insurance Claim Services
(678
) 750-3338
If you received a call from this number, it’s in reference to:
- Settling your Diminished Value Claim
- Settling your Total Loss Claim
- Umpire Awards
If you received a call from this number, it’s in reference to:
An appraisal report establishes an opinion of value. But when the insurance company and policyholder still cannot agree on the amount of loss, the claim may move into the policy's appraisal-clause process. That creates additional work beyond preparing the original valuation.
Settlement services are separate from the valuation report and are performed only when additional appraisal-clause work is needed.
First-party appraisal is generally used when coverage is not the central dispute, but the policyholder and insurance company disagree about the amount of loss. The exact process depends on the policy, but the basic sequence usually looks like this.
The insurer makes an offer or establishes its own amount of loss.
An independent valuation shows that the amount of loss should be different.
The appraisal clause is activated under the applicable policy terms, and each side appoints an appraiser.
The appraisers exchange support, attempt to agree on the amount of loss and, when necessary, proceed through the umpire process.
The original valuation is a defined product: inspect the evidence, research the market, select comparables, make the appropriate adjustments and issue an opinion of value.
Once a claim enters the appraisal clause, the amount of work becomes unpredictable. One file may resolve after a short exchange with the carrier's appraiser. Another may require repeated discussions, additional evidence, new comparable analysis, umpire selection, review of competing positions and preparation of final award documents.
Communications and exchanges concerning the disputed amount of loss, supporting evidence and valuation methodology.
Reviewing competing comparables, adjustments, documentation and new information that arises during the appraisal process.
Preparing settlement memoranda, appraisal awards and other documents needed to conclude the amount-of-loss determination.
The exact steps vary by policy language, jurisdiction and how quickly the two appraisers can reach agreement.
Settlement work is billed hourly because there is no reliable way to know in advance whether a file will require one hour or ten. You pay for the work actually performed rather than subsidizing more complex claims through a large flat settlement fee.
Assume four hours of settlement work at $300 per hour. The hourly fee earned is $1,200 in every example. The recovery only determines whether the client-protection cap reduces that amount.
| Additional recovery | Hourly fee earned | 25% cap | Client pays | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000 | $1,200 | $500 | $500 | $700 of earned time is written off. |
| $5,000 | $1,200 | $1,250 | $1,200 | The hourly bill governs. |
| $20,000 | $1,200 | $5,000 | $1,200 | A larger recovery does not increase the fee. |
| $100,000 | $1,200 | $25,000 | $1,200 | The fee is still based on four hours of labor. |
No. If the insurer accepts the valuation or the claim resolves without further appraisal-clause work, there may be no settlement-service charge at all.
Because the workload is unknown. The valuation itself has a defined scope. Appraisal-clause work can take a short exchange or extend through multiple rounds and an umpire proceeding.
Additional time spent working the appraisal-clause dispute after the valuation is complete, including appraiser communications, valuation analysis, evidence review, umpire-related work and preparation of settlement or award documents.
Because an uncapped hourly bill can become unreasonable relative to a small recovery. We normally use the 25% limit so clients can pursue legitimate disputes without worrying that settlement costs will consume the result.
No. The fee is earned from billable time at $300 per hour. The 25% figure is a ceiling that can reduce the amount payable; it does not increase compensation above the hourly work performed.
The objective is straightforward: carry the amount-of-loss dispute through the first-party appraisal-clause process efficiently, document the work and keep the client's settlement costs proportional to the result.
Appraisal-clause procedures and requirements vary by insurance policy and jurisdiction. Appraisal generally concerns the amount of loss and does not itself determine coverage. Services are subject to the applicable policy terms, law and engagement agreement.
Any questions about our services?
We’re here to help. Fill out the form or call us now by clicking the button below.
Our team of experts is happy to answer any questions you may have, big or small.