Insurance Appraisal Process FAQ
How does the property insurance appraisal process work in Texas? What the process is, who pays for it, how long it takes, and what happens when the two appraisers disagree — answered by IAUA CPAU-certified appraiser Marshall Smith. Every question is indexed at the top of the page, so you can pick the question you came for and the rest stay out of your way. When you and your insurance company disagree on the amount of a property loss, the appraisal clause in your policy offers a faster, less expensive path than litigation: typically 90–120 days to resolution against years in court, a typical appraisal cost of $1K–$5K, 20 days for the carrier to appoint its appraiser once the demand is received, and 95% of files settled between the two appraisers without an umpire. Appraisal is the right route where coverage is already accepted and the disagreement is about how much the loss is worth, where you have a contractor's estimate documenting the full scope, and where a binding number in months beats years of litigation. It is the wrong route where the carrier disputes coverage rather than the amount, because appraisal decides scope and cost only; where nothing documents the scope yet; where you want an advocate, because by law and ethics your appraiser has to stay impartial; and where you want to keep arguing the number afterwards, because the award is binding on the amount of loss. Then choose the option that best describes your situation — property owner, attorney, contractor or adjuster, or insurance carrier. A short conversation is usually enough to tell whether appraisal is the right route for your claim, and it costs nothing to have. If it is not the right route, we will say so.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the insurance appraisal process?
Appraisal is a fair, binding way to resolve disagreements with your insurance company about how much your covered loss is worth (not whether the damage is covered). It's built into most Texas homeowners policies as an alternative to lawsuits.
Each side picks an independent appraiser to review the damage and agree on a fair amount. If they can't agree (which happens only about 5% of the time), a neutral umpire helps decide.
Who pays for what?
• You pay for your appraiser (that's us). • Your insurance company pays for theirs. • If an umpire is needed, the cost is split 50/50 between you and the insurance company.
No attorney fees are required — appraisal is designed to be simpler and less expensive than going to court.
How long does the whole process take?
Typically 90–120 days from start to finish, but it can vary based on schedules, complexity, and how quickly everyone responds. Our goal is always to keep things moving efficiently with our proprietary technology.
How do I start the process?
Sign the sample demand letter we provide, attach your contractor's estimate, and send it to your insurance company (via certified mail or email — keep proof). This officially invokes appraisal.
By Texas rules, they usually have 20 days to name their appraiser after receiving it.
What happens after I send the demand letter?
1. The insurance company should confirm they received it. 2. They appoint their appraiser (within ~20 days in most policies). 3. Forward their response (confirmation, appraiser name/contact, or any document) to us right away. 4. Once both appraisers are appointed, we inspect the damage and work toward an agreement.
What is my only real responsibility after sending the demand?
If the insurance company doesn't name their appraiser by the 20-day mark (or whatever your policy states), you need to follow up with them directly by phone or email.
Due to impartiality rules, we can't do this for you, and your contractor can't either. This is usually the only action required from you.
Can the appraisal decide if my damage is covered?
No — appraisal is only for the amount of loss (scope and cost) when coverage is already accepted. It doesn't resolve coverage disputes (e.g., "Is this excluded?").
If there's a coverage issue, talk to your agent or an attorney.
Will I get more money than the insurance company's offer?
No outcome is guaranteed, but appraisal often helps because it bases the decision on facts, evidence, and fair market value — not just the insurance company's internal guidelines.
Many clients see fairer results this way.
What if the appraisers can't agree?
We select a neutral umpire together (costs split 50/50). The umpire reviews the evidence and helps decide on a fair amount.
Again, this is rare — only about 5% of cases need one.
Are appraisers impartial?
Yes — by law and ethics, appraisers (including us) must be independent and impartial. We advocate for a fair valuation of your loss based on evidence, but we don't act as your contractor, adjuster, lawyer, or advocate in a biased way.
What if I have questions during the process?
Just reach out anytime — email us at Info@marshallservicesusa.com, call 972-322-0752, or message us. We're here to explain things clearly and keep you updated every step of the way.