By Eli Goins · FL DFS #P159790 · Reviewed: · 1 min read
Short answer: It depends on your policy. Florida has no statutory prohibition on arbitration clauses in personal-lines property policies, and some private-carrier forms include mandatory binding arbitration. Read your policy form and endorsements for an Arbitration or Dispute Resolution section, and don't confuse it with appraisal, which covers amount of loss only. An arbitration clause meaningfully changes your rights.
How to check
- Read your policy form: look for "Arbitration" or "Dispute Resolution"
- Check endorsements, which can add or remove arbitration
- Distinguish arbitration from appraisal (appraisal is for amount only)
Arbitration vs. appraisal vs. litigation
- Appraisal: amount of loss only
- Arbitration: any dispute, typically binding, private
- Litigation: public, broader discovery, right to jury
When you see arbitration at renewal
Consider this factor when comparing carriers: an arbitration clause meaningfully changes your rights at claim time.