Hawkeye Consulting
and Claim Service
Insurance Claim Appraisal
Bridging the gap between insurance estimates and
the true cost of restoration.
When a gap opens between an insurance carrier and a property owner regarding the scope of damage or the actual cost of repairs, you don’t have to head straight to the courtroom. For most covered losses, the Appraisal process offers a faster, more technical, and far more cost-effective alternative to litigation or arbitration.
At Hawkeye Consulting and Claim Service (HCCS), we specialize in closing that gap through a fair, evidence-based approach to property disputes.
Why Hawkeye?
With decades of boots-on-the-ground experience in both residential and commercial insurance claims, Dan and the HCCS team have built a reputation on deep structural restoration expertise. We don't just guess at numbers; we understand the chemistry of a loss and the reality of reconstruction costs.
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Expert Advocacy: We leverage extensive industry knowledge to ensure the"Amount of Loss" is grounded in reality, not just a spreadsheet.
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Refined Process: We have streamlined the Property Appraisal workflow to minimize delays, ensuring a structured and transparent experience for all parties involved.
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Integrity-Driven Results: HCCS was founded on the principle that fairness is non-negotiable. We take pride in delivering a resolution that is equitable, defensible, and final.
What Is Insurance Claim Appraisal?
Many property policies include an “Appraisal” clause. It’s a built-in way to settle a dispute about how much a loss is worth—without having to immediately file a lawsuit.
In an appraisal, both sides still agree there is a covered loss. The disagreement is about the amount of loss:
The policyholder (or their representative) picks an appraiser
The insurance company picks an appraiser
If those two can’t agree, they bring in a neutral umpire to help make the final decision
The result is a signed and binding “Appraisal Award” that sets the dollar amount the claim should be paid at under the policy.
What Dan Does as an Appraiser
When Dan is named as an appraiser, his job is to independently determine what it reasonably costs to repair or replace the damaged property. That includes:
- Reviewing estimates, photos, reports, and correspondence from both sides
- Inspecting the property when needed to confirm damage and scope
- Preparing an independent, detailed estimate using industry tools (often Xactimate)
- Comparing line items, quantities, and pricing with the carrier’s estimate
- Meeting with the other appraiser to work through differences in scope and cost
- Working toward a fair, supportable number based on damage, codes, and industry standards
The goal is not to “match” the carrier or the policyholder – it’s to arrive at a defensible, reasonable amount of loss.
- Dispute on Amount of Loss
The policyholder, contractor, or attorney believes the carrier’s payment is too low for the actual damage. - Appraisers Are Selected
The policyholder (or their representative) names an appraiser, and the insurance company names an appraiser. - Inspection & Estimates
Each appraiser reviews the file, inspects the property if needed, and prepares their own estimate and position. - Appraisers Compare & Negotiate
The appraisers meet (often more than once) to compare scopes, pricing, and supporting documentation. - Umpire Involvement (If Needed)
If the appraisers cannot agree, a neutral umpire is selected to review the differences and help decide. - Appraisal Award Signed
An “Appraisal Award” is signed that sets the final amount of loss under the policy. The carrier then adjusts payment to match that award.
Common Questions
About
Appraisal
Is appraisal the same as suing my insurance company?
No. Appraisal is usually a contractual process inside the policy. It’s focused on the dollar amount of the loss, not on bad faith, penalties, or other legal claims a lawsuit might raise.
Do I still need a lawyer?
Many policyholders choose to work with an attorney, especially on larger or more complex claims. Hawkeye does not provide legal advice. Dan works as an appraiser or umpire within the appraisal clause; your lawyer can advise you on whether appraisal fits your overall strategy.
Who pays for the appraisers and umpire?
Does appraisal decide coverage, or just the amount?
Appraisal typically decides only the amount of loss—the dollars attached to the damage. Coverage disputes (for example, whether a loss is excluded) are usually handled outside of appraisal, often by negotiation or litigation.
Most policies require each side to pay its own appraiser and to share the cost of the umpire. The exact language can vary by policy, so it’s important to review your specific terms with counsel.
What You Can
Expect to See
To help policyholders, contractors, and counsel understand the process, Hawkeye can provide redacted examples of the types of documents used in appraisal.
Sample Appraisal Estimate
This is where you can see how line items, codes, and pricing are organized for appraisal through a sample report.
Sample Appraisal Award
A redacted Appraisal Award form provides clarity on what a final decision document looks like.