Insurance Appraisal, Umpire & ADR Services

The line between amount of loss and coverage

The appraisal clause is powerful because it is narrow. It resolves one question only: the amount of loss — the scope of damage and what it costs to repair or replace, stated in industry-standard line items. It does not decide whether a loss falls within your policy in the first place. Whether a peril is covered, whether an exclusion applies, and how policy conditions are read are separate determinations made by the carrier under the policy terms, and where the parties disagree on coverage, that dispute is resolved by a court — never by the appraisers or the umpire. If you are unsure whether a particular loss is covered, check your own policy and raise it with your carrier; appraisal settles the number, the policy and the carrier settle coverage. Keeping that boundary clear is often what keeps an engagement moving, because it lets both appraisers focus on scope and pricing rather than talking past each other.

What documentation actually moves an appraisal

The single most common question we hear is what evidence carries weight. Across our files, the appraisals that reconcile fastest share the same backbone: date-stamped, geotagged photographs tied to specific slopes and elevations; a consistent Xactimate scope with line-item justification rather than lump sums; and, where the cause or extent is contested, an independent expert assessment or supporting data. For hail, that means test squares and clear directional documentation of impact. For wind, structural photographs paired with wind-speed and event data from the date of loss. For water, moisture mapping and a moisture reading log that establishes the extent — and, separately, documentation bearing on the source, which is frequently where the disagreement actually sits. Bring your policy declarations, the original claim documentation, any prior estimates, and repair invoices if work has already been done. The more precisely the scope is described, the less there is to argue about.

When these losses tend to arrive

Timing shapes how these files are argued. In DFW and North Texas, the spring hail season runs heaviest from March through June, and disputes here typically turn on the extent of damage rather than its existence — how many slopes, whether accessories and soft metals are included, and matching. Gulf Coast hurricane and TWIA windstorm exposure concentrates from June through November, where wind-versus-water scope questions are common. Oklahoma sees tornado and hail through the same spring-to-early-summer window, Colorado carries a distinct high-elevation hail pattern into midsummer, and California fire and wind files cluster later in the year. Knowing the event date and pulling the storm record for it is often the first evidentiary step.

A representative DFW hail pattern

A recurring pattern in the DFW Metroplex illustrates how documentation resolves disagreement. In hail files where the two sides disagreed on how much of the roof and exterior was affected, the difference was closed not by argument but by evidence — detailed photographic documentation of each affected slope combined with an independent expert assessment of impact, priced out in transparent line items. Once the scope was documented that thoroughly, the appraisers reconciled without needing an umpire. Several of these engagements led the same property owners and referring professionals to return with later claims, which tells us the process held up.

After the award, and how to start

Once any two of the three panel members sign, the amount of loss is set and returned to the parties; the carrier then applies the policy's terms — deductible, depreciation, and any recoverable-depreciation provisions — to issue payment on covered items. To begin, one party invokes the clause in writing and names its appraiser; from there the defined naming window and inspection sequence already described on this page take over. If you are weighing appraisal, want an independent appraiser named, or need a neutral umpire, call 972-322-0752 or use our contact page. For location-specific detail, see our appraiser pages for Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and the Rio Grande Valley.

Frequently Asked Questions

What evidence does an appraisal actually require?

Documented scope. Photographs tied to location and date, a line-item estimate that prices what is actually damaged, and a clear explanation of why each item belongs in the scope. A position without evidence behind it does not improve in appraisal.

Do I have to use a contractor you recommend?

No. The appraiser's role is to determine the amount of loss, not to sell the repair. Independence from the repair work is part of what makes the valuation credible.

What happens if the two appraisers disagree?

They select a neutral umpire. Any two of the three signing an award binds the amount of loss. In practice most files resolve between the appraisers without reaching that point.

Can you serve as the umpire rather than a party's appraiser?

Yes. The IAUA CPAU designation covers both roles - appointed appraiser for one party, or neutral umpire when the appraisers cannot agree. Never both on the same claim.

Can I use one service on its own, such as just the drone work or just the estimate?

Yes. Xactimate estimating, drone documentation, and consultation are all available as standalone engagements, whether or not the claim ever goes to appraisal.

How long does a typical engagement take?

Four to eight weeks for most files from invocation to award, longer on large or multi-building losses. The full window including the carrier's response time is usually 90 to 120 days, which compares with one to three years for litigation.

How much do your insurance appraisal services cost?

Fees vary with the property type, number of structures, damage scope, travel, and complexity of the assignment. Marshall Services provides the engagement terms and fee structure before work begins. In an appraisal, each side generally pays its own appraiser, and the parties typically share the neutral umpire's fee if an umpire becomes necessary. Your policy governs how those expenses are allocated.

When should I invoke the appraisal clause in my policy?

Consider invoking appraisal when the carrier has accepted coverage but you disagree about the amount of loss and ordinary discussions have not resolved the valuation. If your policy contains an appraisal clause, review its requirements before sending a written demand. Appraisal determines the amount of loss, not whether damage is covered, and your policy governs the procedure, selection of appraisers, and applicable deadlines.

Where does Marshall Services handle property insurance appraisals?

Marshall Services handles property insurance appraisal assignments across Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Colorado, and California. Availability for a particular property depends on the assignment, travel, inspection needs, and scheduling. Residential, commercial, and multi-property matters may be considered throughout those service areas. Contact the firm with the property location and claim type so it can confirm whether the assignment is within its current service area.