What an umpire does
Under the typical appraisal clause, each side names an appraiser, and those two select an umpire. The umpire’s job is narrow but important: decide the items the appraisers cannot agree on. An award signed by any two of the three, usually one appraiser and the umpire, generally sets the amount of loss.
When we serve as an insurance appraisal umpire, we do not represent either side. Our role is to understand both positions, examine the evidence and decide each disputed item fairly.
How umpire selection works
- Appraisers confer. The two appraisers exchange names of potential umpires and try to agree on one.
- Conflict check. Before accepting, a prospective umpire should disclose any relationships with the policyholder, the carrier, either appraiser or their firms. We disclose prior work with either appraiser and any business ties to the carrier.
- Agreement or court appointment. If the appraisers can’t agree within the time the policy sets, many policies allow either side to ask a court to appoint one. That route takes longer and costs more, so agreement is better.
- Engagement terms. Fees and how they are split are usually set out in writing. Many policies split umpire costs equally between the two sides.
How we decide disputed items
Good umpiring is about process as much as judgment. When we sit as umpire, we generally follow these steps:
- Define the dispute. We ask both appraisers to agree on what is already settled and to list what is still open, item by item.
- Review submissions. Each appraiser submits an estimate, photos and any supporting reports. We read both sides fully.
- Inspect the property. We usually inspect in person, often with both appraisers present. Seeing the roof, the framing or the smoke-damaged room firsthand matters.
- Decide each item. We decide each open item on the evidence: quantity, material, labor and price. We don’t simply split the difference.
- Write the award. The award states the amount clearly, often by coverage part and by replacement cost and actual cash value.
Montana-specific considerations for umpires
Montana is big, and pricing varies. An insurance appraisal umpire working a claim in Big Sky must understand resort-area construction costs, while one working a ranch claim near Miles City needs to understand post-frame buildings and travel costs. Hail claims in Billings, wildfire claims in the Bitterroot and snow-load claims in mountain towns each call for familiarity with the materials and building practices involved. We aim to bring that context to every panel.
We will not serve as umpire on a claim where we have acted as an appraiser or reviewer for either side, and we will decline if any conflict could reasonably call our neutrality into question.
What an umpire does not do
An umpire does not decide coverage, interpret disputed policy language beyond what is needed to measure the loss, or rule on claims handling conduct. Those questions belong with the parties and, if needed, a licensed Montana attorney or the courts. An insurance appraisal umpire also doesn’t take sides or advise either party during the process.
For appraisers and owners
If you are an appraiser looking for a neutral, contact us with the claim details and the names of all parties so we can check for conflicts. If you are a policyholder curious about how the panel works, read our guide to the Montana appraisal clause and our appraisal questions page. If you need your own appraiser rather than an umpire, see appraisal clause representation.
Questions about umpire services
Who chooses the umpire?
Under most appraisal clauses, the two appraisers choose the umpire together. If they cannot agree within the time the policy sets, many policies let either side ask a court of record to appoint one. Policyholders and carriers usually do not pick the umpire directly; they rely on their appraisers to agree on someone neutral and qualified.
Can you be my appraiser and the umpire on the same claim?
No. An appraiser represents one side’s view of the loss, while the umpire must be neutral. We will not serve as umpire on any claim where we have worked as an appraiser or done an estimate review for either party. We disclose prior relationships with both appraisers before accepting any umpire assignment.
Does the umpire just split the difference?
A careful umpire should not. Splitting the difference rewards whichever side started further out. We decide each disputed item on its own evidence, including measurements, photos, material specifications and local pricing. Sometimes that lands closer to one side, sometimes the other. The award should be explainable item by item.