The clause in plain terms
Most homeowners, condo, landlord and commercial property policies written in Illinois include a paragraph headed “Appraisal.” The wording varies by company, but the structure is nearly always the same: if you and the insurer fail to agree on the amount of loss, either side can demand appraisal in writing; each side picks a competent and impartial appraiser; the two appraisers pick an umpire; and a written agreement signed by any two of the three sets the amount of loss.
That two-of-three rule is the reason appraisal works. Nobody has to persuade a desk adjuster in another state. Two people who have walked the property and priced the work sign one number, and that number governs what the policy pays on the disputed items.
What we handle as your appraiser
- Policy and demand review. We read your form’s appraisal paragraph first. Some carriers give 20 days to name an appraiser; some require a sworn proof of loss before appraisal; some say nothing at all about timing.
- Our own scope. We inspect, measure and photograph the property ourselves. We never start by marking up the adjuster’s estimate.
- A line-item valuation priced for your Illinois ZIP code, with code-required items, overhead and profit and sales tax handled the way your policy actually reads.
- Working sessions with the other appraiser to agree on as many items as possible. Most panels settle the bulk of the gap here.
- Umpire selection and submissions. If items remain, we help choose a qualified umpire and present those items with photos, measurements and pricing support.
- Award drafting. We make sure the award separates replacement cost, depreciation and actual cash value so payment follows without a second argument.
Claims where representation tends to pay off
Appraisal fits disputes about scope and price: whether one slope or every slope of a hail-struck roof needs replacing, whether the vinyl siding can be matched, what a finished basement in Naperville really costs to rebuild after a sewer backup. It fits poorly when the carrier says the damage is wear and tear, or that the loss happened outside the policy period.
How we keep numbers credible
An umpire sees inflated estimates every week and discounts them quickly. We price what we can prove, show our measurements and explain every difference from the carrier’s estimate in plain language. That restraint is what gives our line items weight when it matters.
Frequently asked questions
Can my roofer serve as my appraiser?
It’s risky. Policies usually require the appraiser to be impartial or disinterested, and a contractor who holds the repair contract has a financial stake in the outcome. An award signed by a conflicted appraiser can be challenged.
What if the insurer won’t name its appraiser?
Many policies let either party ask a court to appoint an appraiser or umpire if the other side fails to act within the stated time. That step usually involves an attorney.
Does appraisal stop my policy’s lawsuit deadline?
Not automatically. Illinois law can pause the limitation period in some situations, but you should calendar the policy’s deadline and get legal advice well before it arrives.