Determining the scope of any damages and repair needs is not always easy, and it is easy for the insured and the insurer to disagree on the amount of damages and what it will take to put things right. In many cases, the scope of damages and the responsibilities of the insurer will be settled in court, and that is just what happened in a recent case.
A number of recent court cases have held that the scope of damages is subject to appraisal, and that a quality appraisal can be used to settle disputes between the insurer and the insured. While some insurers have tried to argue that the scope of damage and the scope of repairs are not subject to appraisal, the courts have ruled differently. That means property owners need to know their rights and understand their responsibilities, whether the insured property is a small home or a multimillion dollar investment.