Appraisal Demand Deadlines & Requirements - All 50 States + DC

Purpose: Quick reference for property insurance appraisal clause requirements, deadlines, and procedures Last Updated: August 2026 (verified against statute text and reported decisions)

Important Notes

Appraisal ≠ Arbitration - Appraisal determines amount of loss only, not coverage issues (California and Connecticut treat appraisal as arbitration for procedural purposes)
Standard Policy Language - Based on 1943 NY Standard Fire Policy (20 days/15 days); in many states the 20/15-day clock comes from the ISO/policy form, not a statute
SOL Risk - Appraisal generally does NOT toll the suit-limitation period; statutory exceptions include Michigan and Utah, and Massachusetts guarantees a 90-day post-award window
Written Demand Required - Always send certified mail/return receipt
Policy Language Controls - Individual policy may vary from state minimums
Always verify current law and policy terms before demanding appraisal
Not yet verified - Rows marked "NOT VERIFIED" could not be checked against an official source: Arkansas, Maryland, New Mexico (no standard fire policy statute or leading appellate decision could be retrieved). Treat those cells as policy-form defaults, not confirmed state law. Delaware, District of Columbia, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Tennessee were verified in August 2026 against the cited statute or reported decision.

Verification. Every row was checked in August 2026 against the cited statute, regulation, or reported decision where an official or legal-publisher source could be retrieved. Where the earlier citation pointed to an unrelated provision (e.g., a guaranty-association chapter or a valued-policy law), the authority has been replaced with "Policy terms" and the correct section where one exists. Citations that could not be retrieved are flagged rather than restated. The "Source" column links to the page used for verification.

Master Appraisal Demand Table

State	Select Appraiser	Select Umpire	Challenge Award	SOL Tolling	Special Requirements	Key Authority	Source
Alabama	20 days (policy/ISO clause)	15 days (policy/ISO clause)	Policy terms; common-law grounds (fraud, mistake, exceeded authority)	No	No standard fire policy statute; causation NOT for appraisers (Rogers v. State Farm, 984 So.2d 382 (Ala. 2007))	Policy terms; Rogers v. State Farm (Ala. 2007)	courtlistener.com
Alaska	10 days (AS 21.96.035)	Promptly (no fixed days); appraisers state loss within 15 days after umpire chosen	Policy terms; award of appraiser+umpire binding per statute	No	Statutory appraisal clause mandatory in property policies; 10-day appraiser notice; 15-day written loss statement after umpire chosen	AS § 21.96.035	codes.findlaw.com
Arizona	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	NY 1943 Standard Fire Policy adopted by reference; insurer can waive appraisal by untimely demand (Meineke v. Twin City Fire, 181 Ariz. 576 (App. 1994))	ARS § 20-1503	azleg.gov
Arkansas	20 days (policy/ISO clause)	15 days (policy/ISO clause)	Policy terms	No	NOT VERIFIED — No standard fire policy statute located (arkleg/Lexis code site not retrievable); no leading Arkansas appellate appraisal decision located	Policy terms (Ark. Code Title 23 general contract rules)	—
California	20 days	15 days (else judge of court of record)	100 days to petition to vacate/correct (CCP § 1288); 4 years to confirm	No (policy suit clause: 12 months, 24 months for declared state of emergency)	Appraisal = arbitration under CCP § 1280 et seq. (Kacha v. Allstate, 140 Cal.App.4th 1023 (2006)); strict 100-day challenge deadline	Ins. Code § 2071; CCP § 1288	leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Colorado	20 days (policy/ISO clause)	15 days (policy/ISO clause)	Policy terms; award set aside for partial/interested appraiser	No	Appraisers must be impartial/unbiased - Owners Ins. v. Dakota Station II, 2019 CO 65; no standard fire policy statute	Policy terms; Owners Ins. Co. v. Dakota Station II Condo Ass'n, 2019 CO 65	courtlistener.com
Connecticut	20 days	15 days (else judge of court of record)	30 days - motion to vacate/modify under CGS § 52-420(b) (appraisal treated as arbitration)	No (policy suit clause 24 months, CGS § 38a-307)	Appraisal = arbitration (Covenant Ins. Co. v. Banks, 177 Conn. 273 (1979)); missing 30-day vacatur window makes award unassailable	CGS § 38a-307; CGS § 52-420	cga.ct.gov
Delaware	20 days (policy/ISO clause)	15 days (policy/ISO clause)	Court action; award not overturned absent fraud/irrational result, but scope-of-authority and coverage questions are for the court (AIU Ins. Co. v. Lexes)	No	No standard fire policy statute (Del. Code tit. 18, ch. 41 is Property Insurance Contracts generally); appraisers cannot award excluded items or exceed limits — such questions of law are reviewable despite binding-appraisal clause (AIU Ins. Co. v. Lexes, 815 A.2d 312 (Del. 2003))	Policy terms; AIU Ins. Co. v. Lexes, 815 A.2d 312 (Del. 2003)	static.case.law
District of Columbia	20 days (policy/ISO clause)	15 days (policy/ISO clause)	Policy terms	No	No standard fire policy statute; D.C. Code Title 31, ch. 25 (Fire, Casualty & Marine Insurance) contains only definitions, commissioner powers and form/rate filing (§ 31-2502.27); appraisal per policy terms	Policy terms (D.C. Code § 31-2502.27 form filing only)	code.dccouncil.gov
Florida	20 days (policy/ISO clause)	15 days (policy/ISO clause)	Policy terms	Equitable tolling available	MEDIATION FIRST (§ 627.7015) - if insurer fails to give mediation notice, policyholder need not submit to appraisal; 3 business days to rescind mediated settlement; personal lines & commercial residential only	§ 627.7015	leg.state.fl.us
Georgia	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	Standard fire policy by regulation (Rule 120-2-19-.01); O.C.G.A. § 33-4-6 60-day demand is a bad-faith-penalty prerequisite, not an appraisal step	Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 120-2-19-.01	rules.sos.ga.gov
Hawaii	20 days (policy/ISO clause)	15 days (policy/ISO clause)	Policy terms	No	No standard fire policy statute verified; appraisal per policy terms	Policy terms (HRS ch. 431, art. 10 general contract provisions)	—
Idaho	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	NY 1943 Standard Fire Policy mandated by statute	Idaho Code § 41-2401	legislature.idaho.gov
Illinois	20 days	15 days	Policy terms (binding)	No	Appraisal decides scope of damages and necessarily some causation questions; coverage/law reserved to court (Zhao v. State Farm Fire & Cas., 2025 IL App (2d) 240723)	215 ILCS 5/397; 50 Ill. Adm. Code 2301 (standard fire policy); Zhao v. State Farm (2025)	illinoiscourts.gov
Indiana	20 days (policy/ISO clause)	15 days (policy/ISO clause)	Award binding unless plaintiff pleads and proves fraud, mistake or misfeasance (Atlas Constr. Co. v. Indiana Ins. Co., 160 Ind. App. 33 (1974))	No	No standard fire policy statute; appraisal per policy terms; award of umpire plus one appraiser valid	Policy terms; Atlas Constr. Co. v. Indiana Ins. Co., 160 Ind. App. 33, 309 N.E.2d 810 (Ind. Ct. App. 1974)	static.case.law
Iowa	20 days	15 days (else judge of court of record)	Policy terms	No	Statutory standard fire policy; appraisers necessarily address causation (Walnut Creek Townhome Ass'n v. Depositors, 913 N.W.2d 80 (Iowa 2018))	Iowa Code § 515.109	legis.iowa.gov
Kansas	20 days (policy/ISO clause)	15 days (policy/ISO clause)	Policy terms	No	No standard fire policy statute; appraisal is a condition precedent to suit when demanded (Friday v. Trinity Universal, 262 Kan. 347 (1997)); K.S.A. 40-905 valued-policy law	Policy terms; Friday v. Trinity Universal of Kansas (Kan. 1997)	ksrevisor.org
Kentucky	20 days (policy/ISO)	15 days (policy/ISO)	Policy terms	No	No statutory standard fire policy; appraisal per policy terms (806 KAR 12:095 §7 treats policy appraisal as binding for auto total loss)	Policy terms; KRS 304.14 (general policy provisions)	apps.legislature.ky.gov
Louisiana	20 days (R.S. 22:1311(F)(2) standard fire policy; R.S. 22:1892(G) residential clause)	15 days, then judge of court of record appoints (or commissioner's random panel if both appraisers agree in writing, R.S. 22:1807.19)	Court action; award by umpire + one appraiser sets amount but 'shall not preclude either party from exercising its rights under the policy or the law' (R.S. 22:1892(G))	No tolling; suit filed before demand is held in abatement from timely demand to award deadline (R.S. 22:1892(G))	Act 625 of 2024 (HB 609, Rep. Firment), R.S. 22:1807.1-1807.27, eff. policies issued/renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2025: appraisers and umpires must register with the Commissioner (fee $55 first-time / $50 annual renewal, R.S. 22:821(B)(34)); disqualifying conflicts include being a party, employee/contractor of a party, or employee of the adjuster/public adjuster who adjusted the loss (R.S. 22:1807.14, .17); umpire must disclose conflicts within 5 days; appraisers must agree or submit differences to umpire within 30 days (extendable to 60 by agreement); commissioner may extend deadlines up to 120 days aggregate (R.S. 22:1807.24)	R.S. 22:1311(F)(2); R.S. 22:1892(G); R.S. 22:1807.1-1807.27 (Act 625 of 2024)	legis.la.gov
Maine	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	Standard fire policy; 2-year suit limitation	24-A M.R.S. § 3002	legislature.maine.gov
Maryland	20 days (policy/ISO)	15 days (policy/ISO)	Policy terms	No	NOT VERIFIED — No statutory standard fire policy located (Md. Code, Ins. § 19-101 checked: only cross-references workers' comp/auto law); no leading Maryland appellate appraisal decision located	Policy terms	mgaleg.maryland.gov
Massachusetts	10 days per step (c.175 §100)	3rd referee: 10 days after 2nd; else Commissioner appoints	Policy terms	Partial: if referred within 2 yrs, suit period not less than 90 days after award (c.175 §99)	REFERENCE proceeding: 3 referees; insurer names 3 within 10 days of demand, insured picks in 10 days, insured names 3, insurer picks in 10 days; hearing within 10 days of 3rd referee (§101)	MGL c.175 §§ 99 (form), 100, 101	malegislature.gov
Michigan	20 days	15 days; circuit court selects on request	Policy terms	Yes (statutory): suit period tolled from notice of loss until formal denial	Suit limitation min 1 year or policy period if longer; each pays own appraiser, umpire split	MCL 500.2833(1)(m), (q)	legislature.mi.gov
Minnesota	20 days	15 days; presiding judge may appoint on 5 days' written notice	Policy terms	No (statute silent)	Court appointment on 5 days' notice (§65A.01); 5-business-day payment of agreed amounts (§72A.201 subd.5); causation-in-appraisal and insurer waiver are case law, not statute	Minn. Stat. § 65A.01 (standard fire policy); § 72A.201	revisor.mn.gov
Mississippi	20 days (policy/ISO)	15 days (policy/ISO)	Award presumptively correct; court may set aside where grossly inadequate/excessive (fraud in effect), appraisers lacked authority, or mistake of fact (Munn v. National Fire Ins. Co., 237 Miss. 641, 115 So. 2d 54 (1959))	No	No statutory standard fire policy; appraisers value the loss only and have no power to decide cause of loss or liability (Munn)	Policy terms; Munn v. National Fire Ins. Co. of Hartford, 237 Miss. 641, 115 So. 2d 54 (1959)	static.case.law
Missouri	20 days (policy/ISO)	15 days (policy/ISO)	Policy terms	No	No statutory appraisal clause; § 379.140 is the valued policy (total loss) law	Policy terms	revisor.mo.gov
Montana	20 days (policy/ISO)	15 days (policy/ISO)	Policy terms	No	No statutory standard fire policy; appraisal per policy terms	Policy terms (MCA Title 33 ch. 24 pt. 1 has no appraisal clause)	mca.legmt.gov
Nebraska	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	NY 1943 Standard Fire Policy adopted by reference	Neb. Rev. Stat. § 44-501	nebraskalegislature.gov
Nevada	20 days (policy/ISO)	15 days (policy/ISO)	Policy terms	No	No statutory standard fire policy; appraisal per policy terms	Policy terms	leg.state.nv.us
New Hampshire	20 days (RSA 407:22 standard fire policy)	15 days, then judge of court of record (RSA 407:22)	Policy terms; award of any two (appraiser + umpire) determines ACV and loss	No; 12-month suit clause in RSA 407:22 form	Statutory standard fire policy (RSA 407:22); appraisal or examination proceedings do not waive policy provisions	RSA 407:22 (standard fire policy)	gc.nh.gov
New Jersey	20 days (N.J.S.A. 17:36-5.20 standard fire policy)	15 days, then judge of court of record (N.J.S.A. 17:36-5.20)	Court action; every reasonable presumption supports the award, but it may be set aside where appraisers applied the wrong valuation standard or exceeded authority (Elberon Bathing Co. v. Ambassador Ins. Co., 77 N.J. 1 (1978))	No; 12-month suit clause in 17:36-5.20 form	Statutory standard fire policy (N.J.S.A. 17:36-5.15 et seq.); appraisal decides amount only; DC Plastic Products v. Westchester (2021) not retrieved	N.J.S.A. 17:36-5.20; Elberon Bathing Co. v. Ambassador Ins. Co., 77 N.J. 1 (1978)	codes.findlaw.com
New Mexico	20 days (policy/ISO)	15 days (policy/ISO)	Policy terms	No	NOT VERIFIED — No statutory standard fire policy located (NMOneSource search blocked); no leading New Mexico appellate appraisal decision located	Policy terms (NMSA 59A-16 is trade practices, not appraisal)	—
New York	20 days	15 days; court judge selects	Policy terms	No	Origin of 1943 Standard Fire Policy; 24-month suit limitation	N.Y. Ins. Law § 3404	nysenate.gov
North Carolina	20 days	15 days; judge appoints	Policy terms (award binding when filed)	No	Property appraisal is BINDING; 3-year suit limitation. 15-day rejection right applies only to AUTO physical damage appraisal (G.S. 20-279.21(d1))	G.S. 58-44-16 (standard fire policy)	ncleg.gov
North Dakota	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	Standard appraisal (1943 NY SFP adopted by reference)	NDCC § 26.1-39-06	ndlegis.gov
Ohio	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	60-day SOL notice required before expiration (OAC 3901-1-54(G)(5), unrepresented claimants)	OAC 3901-1-54	codes.ohio.gov
Oklahoma	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	120-day max investigation period (36 O.S. § 1250.7(C)); standard appraisal	36 O.S. § 4803; 36 O.S. § 1250.7	oklegislature.gov
Oregon	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	Standard appraisal	ORS 742.232	oregon.public.law
Pennsylvania	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	Standard appraisal; prior relationships considered for bias (case law, unverified)	40 P.S. § 636 (Ins. Co. Law of 1921 § 506)	palegis.us
Rhode Island	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	Standard appraisal	R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-5-3	webserver.rilegislature.gov
South Carolina	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	Standard appraisal per policy terms (no statutory standard fire policy)	Policy terms; S.C. Code Title 38, Ch. 75 (valued policy § 38-75-20)	scstatehouse.gov
South Dakota	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	Standard appraisal per policy terms (no statutory standard fire policy)	Policy terms; SDCL ch. 58-11 (form and contents of policies)	sdlegislature.gov
Tennessee	20 days (policy/ISO)	15 days (policy/ISO)	Court action; appraisal clause is not binding arbitration and appraisers cannot decide whether damage was caused by a covered peril (Merrimack Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Batts, 59 S.W.3d 142 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001))	No	No statutory standard fire policy; appraisal ≠ arbitration; causation/coverage reserved to court (Batts)	Policy terms; Merrimack Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Batts, 59 S.W.3d 142 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001)	static.case.law
Texas	Policy terms (commonly 20 days; some TX forms differ)	15 days	Policy terms	No (case law)	TWIA: appraisal demand within 60 days of coverage notice (+30-day good-cause extension) (Ins. Code § 2210.574); TWIA association deadline extensions capped at 120 days aggregate (§ 2210.581)	Tex. Ins. Code ch. 2210; 28 TAC ch. 5	texas.public.law
Utah	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	Yes - statutory; runs from written appraisal demand	SOL tolled while parties conduct policy appraisal procedure (§ 31A-21-313(5)); tolling begins with written demand, not court order (Stone Flood v. Safeco, 2011 UT 83)	Utah Code § 31A-21-313(5); Stone Flood & Fire Restoration v. Safeco, 2011 UT 83	le.utah.gov
Vermont	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	Standard appraisal per policy terms (no statutory standard fire policy)	Policy terms; 8 V.S.A. § 4724 (unfair claim practices)	legislature.vermont.gov
Virginia	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	Standard appraisal	Va. Code § 38.2-2105	law.lis.virginia.gov
Washington	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	Unfair practice to compel appraisal by offering substantially less (WAC 284-30-330(7)); out-of-area appraisers only when necessary ((17)); good-faith settlement effort before invoking appraisal ((18))	WAC 284-30-330; WAC 284-20-010 (standard fire policy)	app.leg.wa.gov
West Virginia	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	Standard appraisal (1943 NY SFP adopted by reference)	W. Va. Code § 33-17-2	code.wvlegislature.gov
Wisconsin	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	Standard appraisal per policy terms (no statutory standard fire policy)	Policy terms	docs.legis.wisconsin.gov
Wyoming	20 days	15 days	Policy terms	No	Standard appraisal per policy terms (no statutory standard fire policy)	Policy terms; Wyo. Stat. § 26-15-112 (uniform provisions)	wyoleg.gov

States with Non-Standard Appraisal Procedures

Alaska - 10-Day Statutory Clock

Requirement	Details
Appraiser Selection	10 days after written demand (AS § 21.96.035)
Umpire	Chosen "promptly"; no fixed day count
Loss Statement	Each appraiser states the loss within 15 days after umpire chosen
Award	Appraiser + umpire award binding per statute

California - 100-Day Challenge Deadline

Requirement	Details
Legal Treatment	Appraisal = ARBITRATION under CCP § 1280 et seq.
Challenge Deadline	100 days from service of signed award to petition to vacate/correct (CCP § 1288)
Consequence	Missing deadline = award FINAL AND BINDING regardless of merits
Confirmation	4 years to petition to confirm
Suit Clause	12 months (Ins. Code § 2071); 24 months for declared state-of-emergency losses
Key Case	Kacha v. Allstate, 140 Cal.App.4th 1023 (2006)

Connecticut - 30-Day Vacatur Window

Requirement	Details
Legal Treatment	Appraisal = arbitration (Covenant Ins. Co. v. Banks, 177 Conn. 273 (1979))
Challenge Deadline	30 days - motion to vacate/modify under CGS § 52-420(b)
Consequence	Missing the window makes the award unassailable
Suit Clause	24 months (CGS § 38a-307)

Florida - Mediation First Requirement

Requirement	Details
Mediation Notice	Insurer MUST offer mediation before demanding appraisal (§ 627.7015)
Waiver	If insurer fails to give mediation notice, policyholder need not submit to appraisal
Settlement Rescission	3 business days to rescind mediated settlement
Notice of Claim	1 year from date of loss (18 months for supplemental claims) (§ 627.70132)
Scope	Personal lines and commercial residential only

Massachusetts - Reference Proceeding (MGL c. 175 §§ 99-101)

Step	Deadline
1. Written demand	Triggers 10-day clock (§ 100)
2. Insurer provides 3 referee names	10 days
3. Insured selects from insurer's list	10 days
4. Insured provides 3 referee names	Same time
5. Insurer selects from insured's list	10 days
6. Two referees select third referee	10 days; else Commissioner appoints
7. Three referees meet for hearing	10 days after third referee (§ 101)
Total Maximum	~50 days to panel hearing
Suit Window	If referred within 2 years, suit period is not less than 90 days after award (§ 99 form)

Louisiana - Act 625 of 2024 (HB 609) Appraiser/Umpire Registration

Requirement	Details
Act / codification	Act 625 of the 2024 Regular Session (HB 609, Rep. Firment), enacting R.S. 22:1807.1-1807.27 and amending R.S. 22:821(B)(34), 22:1311(F)(2) and 22:1892(G); applies to property policies issued, delivered or renewed on or after January 1, 2025
Registration	No person may act as an appraiser or umpire under R.S. 22:1311, 22:1892 or any policy covering immovables unless registered with the Commissioner (R.S. 22:1807.1); registration lists contact information, licensure, and estimating training/experience (R.S. 22:1807.15)
Fees	$55 first-time applicant; $50 renewal every twelve months, one fee covers appraiser and/or umpire (R.S. 22:821(B)(34))
Conflict Disclosure	Disqualifying conflict if the appraiser/umpire or immediate family is a party, a current employee or contractor of a party, or a current employee of the adjuster or public adjuster who adjusted the loss, or is a party to a lawsuit against the insurer (R.S. 22:1807.14, 22:1807.17); umpire must disclose conflicts within 5 days of hiring and recuse absent written waiver (R.S. 22:1807.20)
Timelines	20 days to name appraiser; 15 days to agree on umpire, then judge appoints (or Commissioner's random panel if both appraisers agree in writing, R.S. 22:1807.19); appraisers agree or submit differences within 30 days, extendable to 60 by agreement; Commissioner may extend deadlines up to 120 days aggregate (R.S. 22:1807.24)
Award / Suit	Written agreement of umpire and either appraiser sets the amount but does not preclude either party's rights under the policy or law; a lawsuit filed before demand is held in abatement from timely demand until the award deadline (R.S. 22:1892(G))
Standard Fire Policy	R.S. 22:1311(F)(2) (not 22:691)

Texas - Policy-Form Timelines and TWIA

Requirement	Details
Appraiser Selection	Policy terms (commonly 20 days; some Texas forms differ - the "25-day" figure was not verified on any official TDI form)
SOL Tolling	NO (case law)
SOL Period	2 years (most claims)
TWIA Demand	Appraisal demand within 60 days of coverage notice, +30-day good-cause extension (Ins. Code § 2210.574)
TWIA Extensions	Association deadline extensions capped at 120 days aggregate (§ 2210.581)

Minnesota - Court Appointment & Payment Rules

Requirement	Details
Appraiser / Umpire	20 days / 15 days (Minn. Stat. § 65A.01 standard fire policy)
Court Appointment	Presiding judge may appoint on 5 days' written notice (§ 65A.01)
Payment	5 business days after agreed amounts (§ 72A.201 subd. 5)
Waiver / Causation	Insurer waiver and causation-in-appraisal are case law, not statute

Appraisal vs. Arbitration - State Treatment

Treatment	States
Appraisal = Arbitration	CA (CCP § 1280 et seq.; Kacha), CT (Covenant Ins. v. Banks; CGS § 52-420)
Appraisal ≠ Arbitration	Most states
"Reference" Proceeding	MA (MGL c. 175 §§ 99-101)

Statute of Limitations & Appraisal

States Where Appraisal Does NOT Toll SOL

State	Authority	Notes
Texas	Case law	Appraisal does not extend 2-year SOL
Massachusetts	Hawley v. Preferred Mut., 88 Mass. App. Ct. 360 (2015) (holding not independently verified)	Request ≠ commencement; but § 99 form guarantees 90 days after award if referred within 2 years
Most States	General rule	Demand appraisal BEFORE SOL runs

States with Tolling Available

State	Doctrine	Notes
Michigan	Statutory (MCL 500.2833(1)(q))	Suit period tolled from notice of loss until formal denial
Utah	Statutory (§ 31A-21-313(5))	Tolled while parties conduct the policy appraisal procedure; runs from the written demand (Stone Flood & Fire Restoration v. Safeco, 2011 UT 83)
Florida	Equitable Tolling	When insurer induces inaction or "runs out the clock"
California	Limited	12-month suit clause; 24 months for state-of-emergency losses (Ins. Code § 2071)

Critical Warning

Demand appraisal BEFORE the suit limitation period runs. Thinking that the suit limitation period has no impact on the time to demand appraisal is incorrect.

Appraiser Qualification Standards

Disqualification Factors (Most States)

Direct financial interest in outcome
Employment by or contract with a party
Prior adjustment activities on same claim
Relationship with party that affects objectivity
Contractor who will perform repairs
Public adjuster who advocated for insured

Colorado - Impartiality Standard

Appraisers must be impartial and unbiased (Owners Ins. Co. v. Dakota Station II Condo. Ass'n, 2019 CO 65)
Award may be set aside for a partial or interested appraiser
DOI Bulletin B-5.26 could not be retrieved; not relied on here

Louisiana 2024 Requirements (Act 625 of 2024, R.S. 22:1807.1-1807.27)

Registration with the Commissioner required for appraisers and umpires ($55 initial / $50 annual renewal, R.S. 22:821(B)(34))
Disqualifying conflicts: party, employee/contractor of a party, or employee of the adjuster/public adjuster who adjusted the loss (R.S. 22:1807.14, 22:1807.17); umpire discloses within 5 days

Cost Allocation

Standard Allocation

Cost	Paid By
Your appraiser	You
Insurer's appraiser	Insurer
Umpire	50/50 split
Other appraisal costs	50/50 split

Michigan

Each party pays its own appraiser; umpire cost split (MCL 500.2833(1)(m))

Typical Costs

Service	Range
Property damage appraiser	$1,000 - $5,000
Umpire	Varies by complexity

Scope of Appraisal by State

What Appraisal CAN Decide

Amount/value of loss
Cost of materials and labor
Extent of property damage
Whether to repair or replace

What Appraisal CANNOT Decide (Most States)

Coverage issues
Liability
Policy interpretation
Legal questions

State Decisions on Causation in Appraisal

State	Holding	Authority
Alabama	Causation NOT for appraisers	Rogers v. State Farm, 984 So.2d 382 (Ala. 2007)
Delaware	Award reviewed only for fraud, irrational result, or appraisers exceeding their authority; coverage questions remain for the court	AIU Ins. Co. v. Lexes (Del. Super.)
Illinois	Scope of damages appraisable; some causation necessarily included; coverage stays with court	Zhao v. State Farm Fire & Cas., 2025 IL App (2d) 240723
Iowa	Appraisers necessarily address causation	Walnut Creek Townhome Ass'n v. Depositors, 913 N.W.2d 80 (Iowa 2018)
Minnesota	Causation in appraisal is case law, not statute	—
Mississippi	Appraisers value the loss only; no power to decide cause of loss	Munn v. National Fire Ins. Co., 237 Miss. 641 (1959)
Tennessee	Appraisers cannot decide whether damage was caused by a covered peril	Merrimack Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Batts, 59 S.W.3d 142 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001)

Key Deadlines Summary

Fastest Required Responses

Minnesota - 5 days' notice for court appointment of umpire
Alaska - 10 days to select appraiser
Massachusetts - 10 days per step (Reference)

Standard Deadlines

20 days - Select appraiser (most states; policy form or standard fire policy)
15 days - Appraisers agree on umpire

Challenge Deadlines

100 days - Petition to vacate/correct award (California, CCP § 1288)
30 days - Motion to vacate/modify (Connecticut, CGS § 52-420(b))
North Carolina - Property award is binding (G.S. 58-44-16); the 15-day rejection right applies only to auto physical-damage appraisal (G.S. 20-279.21(d1))

Pre-Appraisal Requirements

State	Requirement	Consequence
Florida	Mediation offered first (§ 627.7015)	Policyholder need not submit to appraisal
Washington	Good-faith settlement effort before invoking appraisal (WAC 284-30-330(18))	Unfair claims practice
Kansas	Appraisal is a condition precedent to suit when demanded (Friday v. Trinity Universal, 262 Kan. 347 (1997))	Suit premature
Louisiana	Residential clause 20/15 days (R.S. 22:1892(G)); appraisers must be registered under R.S. 22:1807.1–1807.27 (Act 625 of 2024) for policies issued/renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2025	Suit held in abatement, not tolled, during appraisal (R.S. 22:1892(G))

Written Demand Best Practices

Send certified mail, return receipt requested
Include:
- Clear statement of disagreement on amount of loss
- Demand for appraisal per policy terms
- Name of your selected appraiser
- Contact information for your appraiser
Keep copies of everything
Note policy's specific appraisal clause language
Track all deadlines from date of receipt

Key Cases & Statutes

State	Authority	Holding/Rule
AK	AS § 21.96.035	10-day appraiser selection; statutory appraisal clause
AZ	Meineke v. Twin City Fire, 181 Ariz. 576 (App. 1994)	Insurer can waive appraisal by untimely demand
CA	CCP § 1288; Kacha v. Allstate (2006)	100-day challenge deadline; appraisal = arbitration
CO	Owners Ins. v. Dakota Station II, 2019 CO 65	Appraisers must be impartial
CT	CGS § 52-420(b); Covenant Ins. v. Banks (1979)	30-day vacatur window; appraisal = arbitration
FL	§ 627.7015; § 627.70132	Mediation first; 1-year notice of claim
GA	Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 120-2-19-.01	Standard fire policy by regulation (§ 33-4-6 demand is a bad-faith prerequisite, not an appraisal step)
IL	Zhao v. State Farm, 2025 IL App (2d) 240723	Scope of damages appraisable; some causation included
LA	Act 625 of 2024; R.S. 22:1807.1-1807.27; R.S. 22:1892(G)	Appraiser/umpire registration; residential appraisal clause; suit abated during appraisal
IN	Atlas Constr. Co. v. Indiana Ins. Co., 160 Ind. App. 33 (1974)	Award binding absent fraud, mistake or misfeasance
MS	Munn v. National Fire Ins. Co., 237 Miss. 641 (1959)	Award presumptively correct; appraisers value loss only, not cause
NH	RSA 407:22	Statutory standard fire policy (20/15 days; 12-month suit clause)
NJ	N.J.S.A. 17:36-5.20; Elberon Bathing Co. v. Ambassador Ins., 77 N.J. 1 (1978)	Statutory standard fire policy; award set aside for wrong valuation standard
TN	Merrimack Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Batts, 59 S.W.3d 142 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001)	Appraisal ≠ arbitration; causation not for appraisers
MA	MGL c. 175 §§ 99-101	Reference proceeding; 90-day post-award suit window
MI	MCL 500.2833	Statutory tolling from notice of loss to formal denial
MN	Minn. Stat. § 65A.01; § 72A.201 subd. 5	Court appointment on 5 days' notice; 5-business-day payment
NY	N.Y. Ins. Law § 3404	Origin of Standard Fire Policy
NC	G.S. 58-44-16	Property appraisal award binding
OH	OAC 3901-1-54(G)(5)	60-day SOL notice to unrepresented claimants
OK	36 O.S. § 4803; § 1250.7(C)	Standard fire policy; 60/120-day investigation cap
TX	Tex. Ins. Code § 2210.574, § 2210.581	TWIA 60-day demand; 120-day association extension cap
UT	Utah Code § 31A-21-313(5); Stone Flood v. Safeco, 2011 UT 83	Statutory tolling from written appraisal demand
WA	WAC 284-30-330(7), (17), (18)	Unfair-practice protections; local appraisers; good-faith effort

Practical Checklist

Before Demanding Appraisal

Verify there IS a covered loss (appraisal won't resolve coverage)
Confirm dispute is about AMOUNT, not coverage
Check policy's specific appraisal clause language
Identify your appraiser (competent, disinterested)
Calculate SOL deadline - demand BEFORE it runs
Check state-specific requirements (FL mediation, LA registration, AK 10-day clock, etc.)

When Demanding Appraisal

Send written demand via certified mail, return receipt
Name your appraiser in the demand
Keep copy of demand and proof of mailing
Note the policy's appraiser-selection deadline (20 days in most forms; 10 days in Alaska)

After Demand

Track insurer's response deadline
Work with your appraiser to select umpire (15 days)
If no umpire agreement, petition court
Document all communications
Watch SOL deadline - consider filing suit if approaching

Disclaimer: This table is for reference only. Appraisal requirements vary by policy language and change through legislation and case law. Always review your specific policy terms and verify current law before demanding appraisal.

Last Updated: August 2026 (verified against statute text and reported decisions)