Questions & answers · Car insurance
My auto insurer and I disagree on the amount of my car damage. What is appraisal?
Car insurancePaid too littleTexasChecked Nov 5, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-05 · Source: TDI View original ↗
In short
- Appraisal settles how much the damage is, not what is covered.
- You and the insurer each hire an appraiser, and an umpire breaks ties.
- You pay your own appraiser and half the umpire. Read your policy for the steps.
What this means
TDI says your auto policy may include an appraisal process. You and the company each hire a damage appraiser, and the two appraisers choose a third appraiser as umpire. The umpire rules on any disagreements, and the appraisal decision is binding on the amount of the damage [1].
Appraisal settles the amount, not coverage. TDI says that if there is a dispute about what is covered, you can pursue that issue after the appraisal [1]. You pay for your own appraiser and half of the umpire's costs [1].
TDI also lists filing a complaint with TDI as an option if you think the company treated you unfairly [1].
Your next step
read the appraisal section of your own policy. The TDI page does not state a deadline for auto appraisal; the policy may.
Where this comes from (1)
[1] TDI · checked 2026-11-05
Your policy may include an appraisal process to resolve complaints. Appraisal allows you and the company to hire separate damage appraisers. The two appraisers choose a third appraiser to act as an umpire. The appraisers review your claim, and the umpire rules on any disagreements. The appraisal decision is binding on the amount of the damage. If there is a dispute about what is covered, you can pursue a settlement o…
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