Insurance Appraiser in Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth and Tarrant County sit on the western edge of the DFW metroplex, where the Great Plains meet the Cross Timbers — producing some of the most violent hailstorms and tornadoes in Texas. Marshall Services provides IAUA CPAU certified insurance appraisals, umpire services, and expert witness testimony for property damage claims. Serving Arlington, Mansfield, Keller, Southlake, Grapevine, Colleyville, Benbrook, Crowley, Azle, and other Fort Worth-area communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of damage do you appraise in Fort Worth?
We appraise all covered property damage in Fort Worth and Tarrant County — hail damage to roofing, siding, gutters, and fencing; wind and tornado damage including structural issues; fire and smoke damage; water damage from pipe bursts and storm intrusion; and ice/freeze damage. Both residential and commercial properties.
How much does an insurance appraisal cost in Fort Worth?
Fort Worth property insurance appraisals typically range from $750 to $5,000 depending on property size and claim complexity. This is a fraction of the $15,000–$50,000+ cost of insurance litigation. Each side pays their own appraiser, and the umpire fee is split 50/50.
Do you serve as umpire for Tarrant County claims?
Yes. Marshall Smith, CPAU, provides neutral umpire services for disputed insurance claims throughout Tarrant County and the western DFW metroplex. As an IAUA certified umpire, his binding determination resolves the dispute without costly litigation.
How is Fort Worth different from Dallas for insurance claims?
Fort Worth claims tend to involve more severe wind damage due to its western position where storms arrive first. Tarrant County also has distinct construction patterns — more ranch-style homes, different roofing materials, and rural properties on larger lots. Our Xactimate estimates use Tarrant County-specific pricing, which differs from Dallas County by 5-12% on key trades.
Do you use drones for Fort Worth inspections?
Yes. Our FAA Part 107 certified drone captures high-resolution aerial imagery of every roof plane. This is especially valuable in Fort Worth for steep-pitch roofs, multi-story homes in Southlake and Colleyville, large commercial flat roofs, and properties with limited ladder access. Drone imagery provides undeniable visual documentation of damage patterns.
Do you handle insurance appraisals outside Fort Worth?
Yes. Marshall Services serves Fort Worth, all of Tarrant County, and surrounding western DFW communities. The service area includes Arlington, Mansfield, Keller, Southlake, Grapevine, Colleyville, Burleson, Weatherford, and nearby communities, for both residential and commercial property insurance appraisals when the amount of loss is disputed.
What determines the cost of having an appraiser handle my claim?
Cost depends on the assignment rather than a fixed rate. Each side pays for its own appraiser, and when a neutral umpire is needed the two sides share the umpire's fee. What we quote reflects the property's size and type, the number of structures, how complex the loss is, and travel. A fee is quoted before any work begins.
Does an appraisal award bind both the policyholder and the carrier?
Under a typical appraisal clause, yes. An award signed by any two of the three participants — the two appraisers and the umpire — is binding on the amount of loss. The carrier then applies the policy's deductible and other terms to that amount. Appraisal settles the amount of loss; it does not decide whether the policy covers the damage.
How long does the appraisal process usually take?
It usually runs in weeks to a few months, though timing varies with scheduling and the size and complexity of the loss. Once appraisal is invoked, the carrier names its appraiser, the two appraisers inspect the property and exchange positions, and a neutral umpire is brought in only if they cannot agree. That is generally faster than the years a lawsuit can take.
When is it worth invoking the appraisal clause?
Appraisal is generally worth considering when coverage has been accepted, the remaining dispute is about the amount of loss, the gap is meaningful, and ordinary negotiation has stalled. It does not resolve a denial of coverage, because appraisal determines valuation rather than whether damage is covered. If your policy contains an appraisal clause, that clause governs whether appraisal is available and how it must be invoked.