Umpire

An Appraisal Clause is a provision in most US auto insurance policies that lets either you or the insurer demand an independent appraisal when you disagree on the value of a totaled vehicle. When invoked, you and the insurer each select a competent independent appraiser, and typically those two appraisers will agree to a new actual cash value. In the event those two appraisers are unable to agree on a value, the two appraisers can select an Umpire to break ties. Typically, you will split the cost of the third appraiser/umpire with the insurance carrier 50/50. In the event that the two appraisers are unable to agree on an umpire, the insured or the insurance carrier can petition a court with jurisdiction to select one. This rarely happens, but the chance isn't zero. The resulting valuation from any two appraisers and/or the umpire is binding.

A Binding Appraisal is the result produced by the appraisal-clause process. It is binding on the question of vehicle value but does NOT decide coverage, fault, or other policy questions. Once issued, both parties must accept the value and the insurer must pay it (subject to applicable deductibles).