San Francisco Insurance Law Appraisals Attorney  

Obtaining Fair Insurance Appraisal Awards in Property Damage Cases in California

It happens more often than not − that look of surprise on a California property or business owner's face when he or she opens a letter from an insurance company to see that it has denied their claim, offered to pay substantially less than the claim is really worth or demanded an appraisal.

Without a Lawyer You Are at a Distinct Disadvantage

• The insurer may deny your claim altogether.
• The insurer may offer to pay far less than you believe your claim is worth.
• The insurer can request that you, your family members or your employees give a recorded statement or submit to an examination under oath.
• The insurer may demand an appraisal.

There are many conditions in a homeowners' policy or general commercial liability policy that can make it difficult for the insured to contest an unfair insurance-company driven valuation of his or her property loss. Will your interests be protected?

Get a Fair Appraisal With the Help of Pillsbury & Levinson

The insurance lawyers at Pillsbury & Levinson, LLP, represent individual policyholders in disputes with insurers. We will review your policy to determine whether you are insured for the lost or damaged property. We will analyze whether your property was adequately insured for the type of damage. If we can, we will then help you challenge the insurance company's evaluation or denial.

If a property owner and an insurance company disagree about the value of the damaged or lost property, the insurance company can demand an appraisal. The insurance company will select an appraiser; the homeowner's legal counsel will select an appraiser, and those two appraisers will select an independent third appraiser, usually someone who works in the construction industry. This three-appraiser panel will then determine the true value of the property. If an appraisal has been demanded, we will explain your rights to you and see you through the appraisal process. Our goal is to simplify an often complex and time-consuming appraisal process for you to obtain the best results we can.

The property owner and the insurance company appraisers will present evidence as to the nature and value of the property that was damaged or destroyed and the panel as a whole will arrive at a decision regarding the cost to repair or replace the home or commercial property. This amount becomes the final insurance award amount. We are there to help you successfully handle an appraisal from the time it is demanded through the final award and answer the question "what happens after the award?"

Sound Legal Counsel

If your home or business was damaged or lost to fire, water damage, an earthquake or mudslide, or some other type of covered loss, you can dispute a lowball insurance offer.

To discuss your homeowners' claim or business property claim with an experienced attorney, contact Pillsbury & Levinson, LLP. From our law offices in San Francisco, we represent clients throughout California and across the nation.