Property insurance appraisal · Umpire services
A competent, impartial appraiser or umpire for property insurance disputes
Skyland Claims Resolution provides appraiser and umpire services when a policyholder and an insurer disagree on the amount of a property loss. Nelson Avila, CPAU, accepts assignments from policyholders, attorneys and insurance carriers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, in English or Spanish.
Who Skyland works with
Policyholders
A party-appointed appraiser for homeowners, condominium unit owners, associations and businesses after appraisal has been demanded.
Appraiser for policyholders ›Attorneys
An appraiser for your client, or a qualified umpire candidate to propose to the other side or the court.
Services for attorneys ›Insurance carriers
A carrier-appointed appraiser for insurers, TPAs and independent adjusting firms, with itemized, documented valuations.
Services for carriers ›Appraisers and courts
A neutral umpire for appraisal panels, selected by both appraisers or appointed by a court.
Umpire services ›What appraisal decides
Appraisal is the policy's process for settling a disagreement about the amount of a property loss. Each side names an appraiser, the appraisers choose an umpire, and an agreement by any two of the three sets the amount.
- A dispute over the amountThe policyholder and the insurer agree a loss happened but disagree on what it costs to repair or replace.
- A written demandEither side invokes the policy's appraisal clause in writing.
- Two appraisers, one umpireEach side names its own appraiser. The two appraisers then select an umpire, or a court does if they cannot agree.
- An awardThe appraisers try to agree item by item. What they cannot agree on goes to the umpire. A written award signed by any two sets the amount of loss.
In general, appraisal sets the amount of a loss; it does not decide whether the policy covers it. The exact rules come from the policy's own wording and the law of the state where the property is. How property insurance appraisal works ›
Two roles, two standards
A party-appointed appraiser is chosen by one side and values the loss for that side. Even so, most appraisal clauses require that appraiser to be competent and impartial, disinterested or independent, depending on the policy's wording. Skyland reviews the clause before accepting and never ties a fee to the amount of the award.
An umpire is chosen by both appraisers, or by a court, and owes nothing to either side. As umpire, Nelson has no financial interest in the outcome, shares communications with both appraisers and decides only the items they could not agree on. Umpire services ›
Impartiality
Before accepting any assignment, Skyland checks for conflicts and discloses in writing any prior relationship with a party, attorney or appraiser on the claim. Fees are agreed in writing and never depend on the amount of the award.
Need an appraiser or umpire?
Send the claim basics and the role you need. Nelson Avila reviews each request and replies by phone or email.