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
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.”

How the process works

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.

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?

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.

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

More by Nelson Avila

All 60 articles by Nelson Avila →

Other Homeland authors