Who may request
- Policyholder or authorized representative
- Claim must meet DFS eligibility (residential property)
- Specific dispute categories (amount, coverage-adjacent)
Request process
- File request with DFS (online or mail)
- DFS screens eligibility
- DFS notifies carrier
- Carrier has time to respond (typically 21 days)
- Mediator assigned from approved panel
- Session scheduled within 45 days typical
Session logistics
- In-person or virtual
- Both parties present with authority to settle
- 2-4 hours typical
- Single mediator
- Non-binding
- Cost: $350 typical, paid by carrier
How to prepare
- Complete documentation ready
- Xactimate estimate
- Expert reports
- Policy and correspondence
- Settlement range decided in advance
Session approach
- Opening statements
- Position presentations
- Private caucuses with mediator
- Settlement exploration
- Signed agreement if settled
If not settled
- No formal outcome
- Parties can return to normal negotiation
- Appraisal or litigation remains available