Insurance Appraiser in Texas — Marshall Smith, CPAU
Marshall Smith is an IAUA CPAU-certified insurance appraiser in Texas, appointed either as a party appraiser by a policyholder or a carrier, or as the neutral umpire when two party appraisers cannot agree on the amount of loss. Marshall Services LLC provides independent, impartial insurance appraisal and umpire services for property damage claims throughout Texas and surrounding states. IAUA CPAU-certified appraiser Marshall Smith uses Xactimate estimating software, FAA Part 107 drone inspections, and construction expertise to produce accurate property damage valuations. We serve policyholders, insurance carriers, contractors, public adjusters, and attorneys. Appraisal types include hail, wind, fire, smoke, hurricane, and tornado damage for residential and commercial properties. Water and flood losses are appraised too, and they have their own page: see water damage insurance appraisal in Texas for freeze-burst pipes, slab leaks, flash flooding, and storm surge. On the Texas coast we appraise hurricane, wind, and hail losses in Corpus Christi and the wider Coastal Bend as well as in Galveston and along the Bolivar Peninsula. Additional services include expert witness testimony for property insurance litigation and loss consulting to help property owners document and present their claims. Service areas: Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Colorado, and California.
What Damages Texas Property, and Where
Texas is large enough that the loss you are disputing depends heavily on where you sit. The I-35 corridor and the northern counties — Dallas, Fort Worth, Denton, Collin, and out toward Wichita Falls — sit in one of the most active hail regions in the country, with the heaviest storms concentrated between March and June. In the Panhandle and West Texas, straight-line wind and hail-driven roof loss dominate the spring, while the Hill Country and Central Texas see flash flooding tied to the same convective systems. Along the coast — the Coastal Bend, Galveston, and the Bolivar Peninsula already noted above — the season shifts to June through November, where the argument is usually wind versus surge and how much of a roof failed to named-storm wind rather than age.
Hail claims in particular tend to be argued over the extent rather than the existence of damage: whether spatter and soft-metal denting on vents, gutters, and flashing corroborates impact to the shingle field, and whether observed granule loss is storm-created or the result of normal weathering. This is why an appraisal on a North Texas roof often turns on the quality of the documentation rather than the presence of a storm date.
The Order Things Actually Happen In
Once appraisal is invoked under the policy's appraisal clause, each side names a competent, independent appraiser. Those two appraisers confer, then each inspects the property and prepares an itemized valuation — in this office, built in Xactimate with FAA Part 107 drone imagery where roof access or steepness makes it appropriate. The two appraisers then exchange positions and attempt to agree on the amount of loss. Where they agree, that figure is binding. Where they disagree, the disputed items go to a neutral umpire, and any two of the three signatures set the award.
The documents that move an appraisal are the policy declarations and coverage form, the carrier's estimate and inspection report, any contractor or public-adjuster estimate, dated photographs, and — for cause-of-loss disputes — moisture readings, engineering or plumbing reports, and weather data for the loss date. On timeline: a straightforward residential hail or wind file often reaches an agreed amount or an umpire award within a few weeks of both appraisers completing inspection. Files needing an engineer, umpire scheduling, or coverage clarification run longer. Clarifying coverage limits and the specific peril at issue before inspection, rather than after, is consistently the single biggest factor in a clean, fast process.
A Pattern We See Repeatedly in the Metroplex
A recurring pattern across DFW hail files involves disputes over the extent of roof and soft-metal damage after a spring storm, where the parties agree a storm occurred but not how much of the roof it affected. In these matters, the disputes have consistently narrowed once the field damage is documented item by item — test squares photographed with the impact and the corresponding collateral damage to gutters, vents, and metal accessories, each tied to a defensible line item rather than a lump-sum roof number. That evidence-first approach is what tends to close the gap between two appraisers without needing the umpire at all.
Questions This Page Hasn't Answered Yet
Can I use my own contractor's estimate? Yes. A contractor's or public adjuster's estimate is useful supporting evidence, but in appraisal the party appraiser prepares an independent valuation; your estimate informs it rather than replacing it.
What evidence carries the most weight? Dated, close-range photographs showing the damage and its cause, paired with line-item justification and, for cause disputes, an expert report. Broad "whole roof" claims without documented test areas are the easiest to dispute.
What if I disagree with the outcome? An appraisal award settles the amount of loss, not questions of coverage or liability — those remain available to be resolved separately. See our ADR and demand for appraisal page and appraisal vs. litigation for how those tracks differ.
To discuss a Texas property claim, call 972-322-0752.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an insurance appraisal in Texas?
An insurance appraisal is a binding process outlined in most property insurance policies. When a disagreement arises over the value of a covered loss, either party can invoke the appraisal clause. Each side selects an independent appraiser, and if those two cannot agree, a neutral umpire makes the final determination. It resolves disputes over the amount of loss — not whether the damage is covered.
Can Marshall Services serve as both a party appraiser and an umpire?
Yes. Marshall Smith holds the CPAU (Certified Property Appraiser & Umpire) designation through the IAUA, qualifying him to serve as either a party appraiser or a neutral umpire. The role depends on the engagement — we never serve in both capacities on the same claim.
How long does the appraisal process take?
Most insurance appraisals in Texas are resolved within 90 to 120 days from the date the demand letter is sent. The timeline depends on the complexity of the claim, the responsiveness of both parties, and whether an umpire is needed.
What types of property damage does Marshall Services appraise?
We appraise all types of covered property damage including hail, wind, fire and smoke, hurricane, tornado, water intrusion, and flood-related losses — for both residential and commercial properties.
What areas does Marshall Services cover?
We provide insurance appraisal and umpire services throughout Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Colorado, and California. In Texas, we serve all major metro areas including Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Midland, Tyler, Sherman, and Galveston.
Is the insurance appraisal decision binding?
Yes. Under Texas law and most insurance policies, the appraisal award is binding on both parties regarding the amount of loss. Once two of the three parties (the policyholder's appraiser, the insurer's appraiser, and the umpire) agree on a figure, that amount becomes the final determination.
How much does an insurance appraisal cost in Texas?
The cost varies with the property's size, the damage scope, and the complexity of the valuation. Each side generally pays its own appraiser, and the parties typically share the neutral umpire's fee if an umpire is needed. Marshall Services can review the claim information and explain the applicable fee before an engagement begins.
When should I invoke the appraisal clause on a Texas property claim?
Consider invoking appraisal when coverage has been accepted but you and the carrier cannot agree on the amount of loss. The process is not intended to decide whether damage is covered. If your policy contains an appraisal clause, review its requirements and timing before sending a demand, because your policy governs how appraisal is invoked.
Do you travel to rural Texas properties outside the major cities?
Yes, Marshall Services travels statewide for appraisal and umpire assignments, including properties outside the major metropolitan areas. Scheduling depends on the property's location, the inspection needs, and current availability. Providing the property address and basic claim details allows the firm to confirm travel arrangements and discuss the next steps for an on-site inspection.