Insurance Appraisals:

Ridges Independent Claims specializes in insurance appraisal services for carriers including property, land, and worker’s compensation. Scott Olson, AIC with Ridges Independent Claims is a qualified insurance adjuster who provides a high level of customer service. During the claim process there may be times when there is a dispute between the Insured and Insurance Company over the value of the damages. In these situations insurance Appraisal may possibly be the best option to settle the claim. Your Appraiser will need to be able to properly evaluate your claim and determine the best strategy for your claim to obtain the best possible appraisal award.  

The Insurance Appraisal Process:

An appraisal is an alternative dispute resolution typically found in homeowner and commercial insurance policies.The dispute takes place when a disagreement is made between the carrier and policyholder. Each will then select a competent, independent, appraiser and notify the other of the appraiser’s identity within 20 days of receipt. This can also be seen as an alternative to a lawsuit. The disagreement can be over the company’s valuation of a specific insurance claim. The appraisal is then mandatory when demanded by the insurer. Once the Appraisal clause/provision is invoked, the insured’s appraiser and the insurance carrier’s appraiser will estimate the damage and try to come to an agreement on the amount of loss. Each party will pay its own appraiser and bear the other expenses of the appraisal and umpire equally.  If the appraisers fail to agree, they will submit their differences to the umpire. An itemized decision agreed to by two of these three will set the amount of loss. Such award shall be binding.

Why Hire an Appraiser:

The Appraiser you select serves as your independent representative and is the sole person responsible for determining the amount of the loss and presenting your position regarding your claim. How your claim is resolved and your award settlement is based on the experience, knowledge, and ability of your Appraiser to navigate through the Appraisal process.

The appraiser that you hire needs to have the following experience and abilities:

• Understands the complete appraiser process and navigate through the appraisal process
• Extensive knowledge of the claim process from the insurance company prospective
• The ability to identify and properly document claim related damages.
• Properly document the amount of repairs based on the claim related damages.
• recognize when an expert may be needed, properly identify the correct expert needed, and is able to facilitate the use of the expert
• knowledge and skills required to accurately articulate, present, and negotiate on your behalf the best possible resolution of your claim

The experience and knowledge that Scott Olson has obtained in his 20+ insurance carrier makes him a great candidate as your appraiser.  Scott’s experience working as both a Staff Adjuster and an Independent Adjuster gives him insight and perspective from both that is invaluable to the Appraisal process.  Scott has worked closely with various industry experts including engineers, forensic accountants, construction consultants, and construction contractors. Scott’s extensive experience handling claims through the mediation and litigation process provides him with the knowledge and skills needed to accurately articulate present and negotiate on your behalf in the Appraisal process.