The umpire is the neutral who ends the deadlock. We review both positions on the merits, evaluate the documentation behind each, and issue a written award that closes the file.
In appraisal, each side names an appraiser. Those two do most of the work — inspecting, scoping and reconciling. The umpire enters only where they genuinely cannot agree.
The umpire's job is narrow and specific: review the disputed items, weigh the evidence and reasoning on both sides, and set the amount. An award signed by the umpire and either appraiser binds both parties. That is what makes appraisal final.
An umpire is not a tiebreaker who splits the difference. The award should reflect what the documentation actually supports — which sometimes means landing on one appraiser's number rather than between them.
Residential and commercial property, storm and wind, hail, water and fire losses, and multi-building or condominium claims where the disputed scope runs across many units. Complex, high-value losses are where the umpire's construction knowledge matters most — those disputes are rarely about arithmetic.
Wilderness Adjusting accepts umpire appointments in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, and in Florida, Indiana, North Carolina and Texas. Umpire service is a neutral contractual role under the policy rather than adjusting.
The umpire is the neutral third party. When the two party-appointed appraisers cannot agree on the amount of loss, they submit their differences to the umpire, who reviews both positions and the underlying documentation and issues a written award. An award signed by the umpire and either appraiser is binding on both parties.
Usually the two appraisers agree on one. If they cannot agree within the period the policy allows, either party can petition a court to appoint one. Most policies set a deadline, so appraisers often exchange short lists of acceptable umpires early.
No — only the items still in dispute. Anything the two appraisers have already agreed on is settled and does not go to the umpire. A well-run appraisal narrows the disagreement to a handful of line items before the umpire is ever involved.
Not on the same claim. An appraiser is a party’s advocate within a defined process; an umpire is neutral. Wilderness Adjusting takes only one role per file — if we appraised a loss, we will not umpire it.
Send the claim details and both appraisers’ information. We’ll confirm availability and clear conflicts before accepting.