CLAIMS PROCESS · APPRAISAL

Understanding Florida’s Appraisal Process for a Disputed Property Insurance Claim

By Nelson Avila, Licensed Florida Public Adjuster (License G332385) · Florida Certified Contractor · Property Insurance Appraiser & Umpire
Homeland Public Adjusters · Last reviewed: October 2026

Infographic showing the five steps of Florida’s property insurance appraisal process, from dispute to binding appraisal award

The five steps of Florida’s appraisal process for a disputed claim

Most Florida homeowners insurance policies include an appraisal clause — a built-in process for resolving a dispute over the dollar amount of a covered loss, separate from mediation and separate from a lawsuit. Either the homeowner or the insurer can invoke it once there’s a disagreement over value, as long as there’s no dispute that the loss is actually covered — appraisal resolves “how much,” not “whether.”

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If you need help with a disputed claim amount where the policy’s appraisal clause may apply in Florida or New Jersey, Homeland Public Adjusters handles exactly this kind of claim. Homeland is a licensed public adjusting firm (Florida W818638; New Jersey 3003982360) with 20 years in the industry (since 2006) and a network of experts in Florida and New Jersey ready to take on any loss. In Florida we come to you within hours, wherever you are. Call (305) 783-3777 (Florida) or (732) 517-3777 (New Jersey), 24/7, English or Spanish.

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How the process works

Short answer: Appraisal resolves “how much,” not “whether”: each side picks an appraiser, the two pick an umpire, and any two of the three set a binding amount. Since the Florida Supreme Court’s 2023 Parrish decision, an appraiser who stands to be paid a contingency fee on the claim is not “disinterested” and can be disqualified, so choose yours carefully from the start.

Each side selects its own appraiser. The two appraisers then select a neutral third party, the umpire, and any two of the three can agree on a final number that becomes binding under the policy.

A detail worth knowing before you choose an appraiser

In 2023, the Florida Supreme Court ruled in Parrish v. State Farm Florida Insurance Co. that an appraiser working under a contingency-fee arrangement isn’t “disinterested” under a typical policy’s appraisal clause, and can be disqualified from serving. That makes the choice of appraiser something to get right from the start, since a disqualification can delay the entire process.

Appraisal isn’t automatically the right move for every dispute. It works well when the disagreement is purely about scope or value on an otherwise accepted claim. It’s the wrong tool when the real dispute is over coverage itself, since appraisal doesn’t resolve coverage questions, only value.

What Homeland does in an appraisal

We document the loss, build the estimate the appraisal process is actually deciding on, and help select an appraiser positioned to represent the claim’s full value. Call Homeland before invoking appraisal on a disputed claim.

Homeland prepares the estimate behind appraisals for policyholders in Fort Lauderdale, Naples and Orlando.

Insurance Appraisal From the Policyholder’s Side: Step by Step

Insurance appraisal resolves a disagreement over the amount of a loss without a lawsuit. It decides how much, not whether the policy covers the loss, and it is only as strong as the estimate and documentation behind your side.

Confirm it is an amount dispute. If the insurer denies coverage outright, appraisal may not be the right tool; if it accepts the loss and pays too little, it usually is, and Homeland prepares the file for it.
Build the file first. A line-item estimate, photos, expert reports and the scope of every room or area in dispute.
Demand appraisal in writing. Follow the clause: who demands, how, and the time each side has to name its appraiser.
Choose a competent, disinterested appraiser. Your appraiser should have no stake in the outcome; the two appraisers then select an umpire.
The award. An award signed by any two of the three sets the amount of loss; payment follows under the policy.

In Florida, residential and commercial residential claims can also use DFS mediation for disputes of at least $500 (Fla. Stat. §627.7015). Working with a law firm on an appraisal? See appraisal-ready files for law firms.

Attorneys and other professionals who need an appraiser or umpire can contact Skyland Claims Resolution, where Nelson Avila, CPAU, takes appraisal and umpire assignments.

Frequently asked questions

What is the appraisal process in Florida property insurance?

Most Florida homeowners policies include an appraisal clause for resolving a dispute over the dollar amount of a covered loss. Each side picks its own appraiser, the two appraisers pick a neutral umpire, and an agreement by any two of the three sets an amount that is binding under the policy.

Can appraisal decide whether my loss is covered?

No. Appraisal resolves how much a covered loss is worth, not whether the loss is covered. If the real dispute is about coverage, appraisal is the wrong tool.

Can my appraiser work on a contingency fee in Florida?

Choose a disinterested appraiser. In 2023 the Florida Supreme Court held in Parrish v. State Farm Florida Insurance Co. that an appraiser paid on a contingency fee isn't “disinterested” under a typical appraisal clause and can be disqualified, which can delay the whole process.

What does an insurance appraiser do?

In a property insurance appraisal, each side’s appraiser values the loss and tries to agree with the other; if they cannot, an umpire decides the disputed items. It is different from an auto damage appraiser or a real estate appraiser.

Does appraisal decide whether my claim is covered?

Generally no: appraisal decides the amount of loss. Coverage disputes are a different question, and sometimes a legal one.

This article is for general information only and is not legal advice.

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