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Appraisal Readiness Checkup: Is Your Claim File Ready?

Answer twelve questions to see how ready your claim is for appraisal and get a to-do list for anything missing.

Appraisal readiness checkup12 questions · about two minutes
  1. Has the insurer accepted coverage for at least part of the loss?
  2. Do you have the carrier’s complete, itemized estimate?
  3. Do you have your own itemized estimate?
  4. Do you have dated photos taken soon after the loss?
  5. Have you read the appraisal paragraph in your policy?
  6. Do you know which deductible applies (standard or hurricane)?
  7. Have temporary repairs been made and receipts kept?
  8. Has hidden damage been opened up and documented?
  9. If the storm brought water, have you separated wind damage from flood damage?
  10. Is your correspondence with the carrier in date order?
  11. Is the gap more than about 10% of the carrier’s estimate, or several thousand dollars?
  12. Do you know your policy’s suit-limitation date?
–score

Answered: 0 / 12

To do before appraisal

    For planning only. Results depend on the figures you enter and your policy’s terms. They aren’t a quote, an appraisal or legal advice.

    Why readiness matters

    An appraisal award is binding on the amount of loss once two members of the panel sign. If your documentation is thin when appraisal starts, the result can be lower than it should be, and it’s hard to undo. The checkup weights the items that matter most: accepted coverage, both itemized estimates and photos.

    How the score works

    Each question has a weight from one to three. Your score is the share of weighted points answered “yes.” A “no” adds an item to your to-do list.

    Questions about this tool

    What score should I aim for?

    Above about 75 means the essentials are in place. Below that, work through the to-do list first.

    Can I invoke appraisal with a low score?

    You can, but it’s risky. Gaps in documentation tend to work against the party with the burden of showing the damage.

    Is my information stored?

    No. Answers stay in your browser.

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