What is Umpire (appraisal)?

In an appraisal under the policy's Appraisal Clause, the umpire is a neutral third person who decides the amount when the two sides' appraisers can't agree. Under typical policy wording, an amount agreed by any two of the three sets the loss.

How the umpire is chosen, and who pays for them, depends on the policy wording.

Appraisal Clause

See how the referral program works The one-pager, the referral line, the AI assistant and the Appraisal Clause, set up for you.

More terms

Total loss Actual cash value (ACV)Appraisal Clause Total Loss Formula Total loss threshold Salvage value Diminished value Comparable vehicle (comp)Fair market value (FMV)Loss of use Property-damage-only claim Referral agreement (between law firms)Demand letter

Updated 2026-11-01. General information, not legal advice; policy wording and state rules vary. TRUEclaims is not a law firm.