Umpire's role
- Neutral between parties
- Decides disputed items
- Can split a disagreement or rule for either position
- Award signed by any two of three (appraiser + umpire, or both appraisers without umpire)
What umpires typically consider
- Policy language: what the policy actually requires
- Scope documentation: whose scope is supported
- Pricing: which pricing is current and reasonable
- Evidence quality: photos, reports, measurements
- Professional standards: IICRC, Xactimate, building code
What umpires typically weigh lightly
- Personal negotiation tactics
- Emotional appeals
- General industry trends
- Carrier's business considerations
Advocating before the panel
- Present documented position clearly
- Organize evidence by item
- Cite policy and statute specifically
- Respond to carrier appraiser's position substantively
- Present through your own appraiser (they argue for you)
When umpire favors party appraiser position
- Stronger documentation
- Clearer policy citation
- Trade-standard alignment
- Reasonable pricing
When umpire splits
- Ambiguous policy language
- Partial evidence for each position
- Reasonable disagreement on interpretation
After the award
- Binding on amount of loss
- Carrier must pay per award
- Bad-faith damages not addressed (separate action)
- Award enforceable in court