I disagree with my home insurer. Do I ask for an appraisal or file a complaint?

Home insuranceDeniedTexasChecked Nov 6, 2026

From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: TDI View original ↗

In short

Appraisal is for fights about how much, not whether it is covered.
For a coverage fight, file a complaint with your state.
Decide which fight it is, then keep copies of everything.

What this means

There are two ways to disagree, and each fits a different problem. Appraisal is for disputes about the amount of your claim [1]. It is not for disputes about whether the policy covers the loss [1]. In appraisal, each side picks an appraiser, and the two pick a third, called an umpire [1].

If the estimates differ, the umpire decides [1]. For a claim you think was denied unfairly, you can file a complaint with TDI [2]. TDI can ask the company to look at the policy again [2].

Your next step

Use appraisal for a dispute about the amount of your claim; it is not for a dispute about whether the policy covers a loss [1]. If you think the company unfairly denied your claim, you can file a complaint with TDI [2]. The deadline these sources give is 15 business days for the company to accept or deny a claim once it has all it needs [3].

Check it yourself

Open the first source above and read the part quoted. Your own policy papers hold details these sources do not give: "Don't know yet" for your case.

Where this comes from (5)

[1] TDI · checked 2026-11-06
Ask for an appraisal. The appraisal process is for disputes about the amount of your claim. It isn't for disputes about whether your policy covers a loss. If you use appraisal, you and the insurance company each hire an appraiser. The two appraisers then choose a third appraiser as an umpire. Your appraiser and the company's appraiser each estimate the amount of your loss. If the estimates are different, the umpire m…
[2] TDI · checked 2026-11-06
If you think your insurance company unfairly denied your claim, you can file a complaint with TDI . TDI can ask a company to relook at the policy to be sure it made the correct decision
[3] TDI · checked 2026-11-06
Accept or deny your claim within 15 business days of getting all the information it needs from you. If the company denies your claim, it must tell you why in writing … Send you a check within five business days after it agrees to pay your claim
[4] TDI · checked 2026-11-06
Companies have 15 days to respond to us and can ask for a 10-day extension … Settle disputes when you and the company disagree about the facts
[5] TDI · checked 2026-11-06
The insurance company must tell you in writing why it denied a claim. If you think the company should pay more for a claim, tell the company why and send them supporting documents, such as a contractor's estimate for the repairs … If the company still disagrees, you can ask for an appraisal . If you think your insurance company unfairly denied your claim, you can file a complaint with TDI

How we found this

We matched your question to 5 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.

What we don’t know yet

Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.

Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.

Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.

This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.

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