Refer a Client

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after I refer a client?

The file is reviewed to see whether appraisal fits, and you are told either way. That review looks at whether coverage has been accepted, how far apart the two estimates are, and whether the policy contains an appraisal clause. If something essential is missing it is requested before a view is offered rather than after. Referring a file commits nobody to anything.

Do I need my client's permission before referring them?

Yes. Send only what your client has agreed you may send, because the file contains their claim details and their property. In practice the cleanest route is to tell the client the file is going out for an appraisal opinion so they expect the call. Nothing is raised with the carrier on the strength of a referral alone.

Can a contractor or public adjuster refer a file and stay involved?

Yes. A referral does not remove you from the claim; the appraisal runs alongside the work you are already doing. What the appraiser cannot do is act as your advocate — an appointed appraiser owes an honest valuation rather than a favourable one, and an umpire owes neutrality to both sides. That separation is what makes an award hold up afterwards.

Is a referral fee paid for sending a file?

No. Nothing is paid for a referral and nothing is asked for one. Paying for referrals would give the appraiser a financial relationship with one side of a dispute he is meant to value impartially, which is precisely the objection a carrier's attorney would raise about the award later.