Your policy already contains the tool to fix it. The appraisal clause resolves a disagreement over the amount of a covered loss — without a lawsuit, without a courtroom, and usually in a fraction of the time.
Appraisal is a dispute-resolution process built into the policy itself. It applies in one specific situation: everyone agrees the damage is covered, but nobody agrees on what it costs to fix.
Either the policyholder or the carrier can invoke it. Each side selects a competent, independent appraiser. The two appraisers inspect, scope and value the loss, then compare positions. Whatever they agree on is settled. Whatever they cannot agree on goes to a neutral umpire, whose decision — signed by the umpire and either appraiser — binds both parties.
If your carrier is denying the claim outright, or arguing the cause of loss isn't covered, appraisal is the wrong tool and we'll tell you so. It resolves dollars, not whether the policy responds.
Carriers review claims in Xactimate. An estimate submitted as a spreadsheet or a contractor's proposal often can't be reconciled line-for-line against the carrier's own numbers, which stalls the file and hands the other side an easy objection. Writing in the same platform removes that argument entirely — the disagreement becomes about the work, not the format.
We serve as the appraiser for property owners, associations, contractors working with owners, and — equally — for carriers and IA firms who need a competent appraiser named on their side. We take one role per claim. If we appraised a loss, we will not later umpire it. That line is what makes the work credible.
Wilderness Adjusting handles appraisal assignments in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, and is licensed in Florida, Indiana, North Carolina and Texas. Appraisal and umpire work are contractual roles under the policy and are not adjusting, so they are available in states where no adjuster license applies.
Nearly every property insurance policy contains an appraisal clause. When both sides agree the loss is covered but disagree on the amount, either party can invoke it. Each side names an independent appraiser, the two appraisers work to agree on the value, and anything they cannot settle goes to a neutral umpire. The result is binding.
Most appraisals resolve in weeks rather than the months or years litigation takes. The timeline depends on how quickly both appraisers can inspect, exchange positions and reconcile. A straightforward residential loss can close in three to six weeks; a large commercial or multi-building loss takes longer.
No. Appraisal is a contractual process written into your own policy — it is the opposite of litigation. There is no court, no lawsuit and usually no attorney required. It exists specifically so a disagreement about dollars does not have to become a legal fight.
Appraisal settles the amount of loss only. If the carrier is denying that the damage is covered at all, or disputing liability, that is a coverage question and appraisal cannot resolve it. We work with a local attorney on exactly these files and are glad to make the introduction — tell us what the carrier is saying and we will point you to the right person.
Tell us about the claim. We’ll tell you honestly whether appraisal is the right route — and if it isn’t, what is.