What does an appraisal umpire do?

The umpire is a competent, disinterested third party that the two party appraisers select together. When the appraisers can't agree on the amount of loss, they submit their differences to the umpire, who renders an independent decision. A decision agreed to by any two of the three panelists becomes binding. Ocean Point serves as umpire only on claims where we have no prior involvement with either party.

How is the appraisal umpire chosen?

After each party names its appraiser, the two appraisers choose a competent, disinterested umpire together. If they can't agree within 15 days, either party may ask a judge of a court of record in the state where the property is located to make the selection. The umpire must have no prior relationship with either side.

Does appraisal decide whether my claim is covered?

No. Appraisal only decides the amount of loss: scope, pricing, and depreciation. It does not decide coverage, meaning whether the loss is covered at all. If the carrier disputes coverage, or if bad faith is at issue, those belong in court, not before an appraisal panel. Appraisal works best when coverage isn't in dispute and only the dollar amount is.

What does appraisal cost and who pays the umpire?

Each party pays its own appraiser, typically hourly, roughly $200 to $500 per hour depending on the specialty. The umpire's cost is split 50/50 between the policyholder and the insurer. Ocean Point's contingency fee applies only to recovery generated above the carrier's pre-appraisal offer, so our fee is tied to the additional amount the process recovers for you.

Florida Insurance Claim Appraisal & Umpire Services | Ocean Point

Florida Insurance Claim Appraisal & Umpire Services

When the policyholder and carrier can't agree on the amount of loss, most Florida HO-3 policies allow either party to invoke appraisal: a structured, binding process where each side names an appraiser, the two appraisers choose an umpire, and the panel sets the amount of loss. Ocean Point represents policyholders in appraisal and also serves as appraiser or umpire on qualifying matters.

By Eli Goins · FL DFS #P159790 · Reviewed: June 13, 2026 · 2 min read

Short answer: According to most Florida HO-3 policies, when you and the carrier cannot agree on the amount of loss, either side may demand appraisal: each names a competent, disinterested appraiser within 20 days, the two choose an umpire, and a decision agreed to by any two of the three panelists is binding. Appraisal decides amount only, not coverage. Ocean Point represents policyholders on the panel and serves as umpire on qualifying matters.

How Florida appraisal works

Most Florida HO-3 and commercial property policies include an appraisal clause that looks substantially like this:

When appraisal helps

The coverage is not in dispute (the carrier agrees the loss is covered)
The dispute is about amount: scope, pricing, or depreciation
Both parties have documentation
Settlement range is apparent even if specific number isn't
You want a binding resolution without litigation

When appraisal doesn't help (or may hurt)

Coverage disputes (whether the loss is covered at all): appraisal only decides amount
Bad-faith claims (belong in court)
Claims already in litigation
Claims where your appraiser selection puts you at a disadvantage

Ocean Point's appraisal role

We represent policyholders in three capacities:

Policyholder's appraiser. Named to the panel by the insured. Advocates for the policyholder's loss documentation.
Umpire. When selected by two party appraisers, renders independent decisions where the appraisers disagree. Ocean Point serves as umpire on claims where we have no prior involvement with either party.
Appraisal consultant. Behind-the-scenes preparation of documentation, estimates, and strategy for the named appraiser.

Our appraisal process

Pre-appraisal documentation push. Full scope, Xactimate pricing, expert reports, photo evidence: prepared to panel-grade standard.
Appraiser selection. Competent (qualified in the specialty: roofing, water, fire, structural) and disinterested (no prior relationship with party).
Panel management. Schedule, scope-review meetings, umpire coordination.
Award drafting. Clear written award stating separately the ACV and loss to each item, signed by two of three panelists.
Award enforcement. Carrier must pay per the award. If they don't, the award is enforceable in court.

Appraisal cost structure

Each party pays their own appraiser (typically hourly, $200-$500/hr depending on specialty)
Umpire cost is split 50/50 between party and insurer
Ocean Point contingency applies to any recovery generated over the carrier's pre-appraisal offer

Going deeper on appraisal

For policyholders who want a focused, appraisal-only resource, our companion site AppraiseClaims.com is dedicated entirely to the appraisal-and-umpire process: panel selection, scope strategy, evidence preparation, and what to expect at each step.

A documented result

$105,000 the carrier initial offer
$255,150 what Ocean Point recovered through appraisal

Read the full case: Casey's Hobe Sound tornado claim