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[REPLAY] The Appraisal Process – Is it Still Useful to Resolve Disputed Claims?
This is a replay of an episode originally aired on Apr 22, 2025.
An adjuster working on a complex property damage claim closes the file, having paid out on the claim. Then they receive a notice that the insured is demanding appraisal. They call up the insured, only to find out that the insured has no idea what's going on.
About Our Guest
Steven J. Badger, Partner, Zelle LLP [email protected] https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-badger-467b0322/
Notable Timestamps
[ 00:20 ] - The insured signed a form on a tabet, presented to them by the contractor, without realizing it authorized a later appraisal demand.
[ 01:13 ] - Steve shares an anecdote about his appraisal training sessions & debates.
[ 02:39 ] - Steve's review of the trends shows that contractor-driven appraisal demands are more common now than they used to be.
[ 03:50 ] - Assignment of Benefits would raise other issues and would not be permitted in all states.
[ 05:15 ] - The adjuster can begin addressing an appraisal demand by contacting the insured to ask if they are aware of the demand, if the work is complete in their opinion, and the amount they paid.
[ 07:22 ] - In the states where Steve practices, the contractor performing the work (and the public adjuster on the claim) cannot also act as the appraiser.
[ 08:45 ] - Steve leverages his presence on LinkedIn to call out illegal behavior.
[ 10:11 ] - Zelle LLP has drafted an alternative appraisal clause addressing abuses in the appraisal process. Removing the appraisal clause entirely would simply increase litigation.
[ 12:37 ] - The goal of appraisal is prompt amicable resolution of disputed claims.
[ 13:15 ] - Steve provides a recap of the scenario and the points above.
Your PLRB Resources
Steve will be presenting at the Texas Hail Claims Conference on February 12-13, 2026 in Dallas.
Recorded Webinar: Combatting Common Abuses and Schemes in CAT Claims - https://www.plrb.org/courses/combatting-common-abuses-and-schemes-in-cat-claims/
CE Course: Property Insurance Appraisal - https://www.plrb.org/courses/property-insurance-appraisal/
Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company.
Subscribe to this Podcast
Your Podcast App - Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast app
YouTube - Please like and subscribe at @plrb
LinkedIN - Please follow at "Property and Liability Resource Bureau"
Send us your Scenario!
Please reach out to us at 630-509-8704 with your scenario! This could be your "adjuster story" sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to [email protected].
Sponsorship
PLRB thanks Pilot Catastrophe Services for its Diamond Sponsorship of the 2025 Claims Conference. "Pilot provides a complete suite of services to handle claims arising from catastrophic events, small storms or daily claims." Visit pilotcat.com!
Legal Information
The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate.
Music: "Piece of Future" by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).
View all episodes
By PLRB
4.8
66 ratings
This is a replay of an episode originally aired on Apr 22, 2025.
An adjuster working on a complex property damage claim closes the file, having paid out on the claim. Then they receive a notice that the insured is demanding appraisal. They call up the insured, only to find out that the insured has no idea what's going on.
About Our Guest
Steven J. Badger, Partner, Zelle LLP [email protected] https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-badger-467b0322/
Notable Timestamps
[ 00:20 ] - The insured signed a form on a tabet, presented to them by the contractor, without realizing it authorized a later appraisal demand.
[ 01:13 ] - Steve shares an anecdote about his appraisal training sessions & debates.
[ 02:39 ] - Steve's review of the trends shows that contractor-driven appraisal demands are more common now than they used to be.
[ 03:50 ] - Assignment of Benefits would raise other issues and would not be permitted in all states.
[ 05:15 ] - The adjuster can begin addressing an appraisal demand by contacting the insured to ask if they are aware of the demand, if the work is complete in their opinion, and the amount they paid.
[ 07:22 ] - In the states where Steve practices, the contractor performing the work (and the public adjuster on the claim) cannot also act as the appraiser.
[ 08:45 ] - Steve leverages his presence on LinkedIn to call out illegal behavior.
[ 10:11 ] - Zelle LLP has drafted an alternative appraisal clause addressing abuses in the appraisal process. Removing the appraisal clause entirely would simply increase litigation.
[ 12:37 ] - The goal of appraisal is prompt amicable resolution of disputed claims.
[ 13:15 ] - Steve provides a recap of the scenario and the points above.
Your PLRB Resources
Steve will be presenting at the Texas Hail Claims Conference on February 12-13, 2026 in Dallas.
Recorded Webinar: Combatting Common Abuses and Schemes in CAT Claims - https://www.plrb.org/courses/combatting-common-abuses-and-schemes-in-cat-claims/
CE Course: Property Insurance Appraisal - https://www.plrb.org/courses/property-insurance-appraisal/
Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company.
Subscribe to this Podcast
Your Podcast App - Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast app
YouTube - Please like and subscribe at @plrb
LinkedIN - Please follow at "Property and Liability Resource Bureau"
Send us your Scenario!
Please reach out to us at 630-509-8704 with your scenario! This could be your "adjuster story" sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to [email protected].
Sponsorship
PLRB thanks Pilot Catastrophe Services for its Diamond Sponsorship of the 2025 Claims Conference. "Pilot provides a complete suite of services to handle claims arising from catastrophic events, small storms or daily claims." Visit pilotcat.com!
Legal Information
The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate.
Music: "Piece of Future" by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).