How to read the results
- Amount in dispute is your replacement cost estimate minus the carrier’s. Appraisal can only move money inside that gap.
- Projected award applies your slider to the gap. Panels rarely land exactly on either side’s number.
- Net gain subtracts your appraiser’s fee and, if you tick the box, your half of the umpire.
- Three outcomes show the net at 30%, 50% and 80% of the gap. If the net is negative at 30%, the claim depends on a strong result.
Why the benchmarks matter more than the slider
It’s tempting to set the slider at 100% and stop there. In practice, well-documented line items tend to hold and unsupported ones tend to fall away. A case that still makes sense at 30% to 50% of the gap is usually one worth discussing with an appraiser.
What this estimator ignores
Depreciation timing, deductibles and policy limits change what you’re paid, not the size of the dispute. For payment timing, use the RCV/ACV holdback calculator; for deductibles, the named-storm deductible calculator. All figures are illustrative.
Questions about this tool
Is the projected award a prediction?
No. It’s a scenario you choose. Real awards depend on documentation, the panel and the policy language.
How are appraisers usually paid?
Arrangements vary: flat fees, hourly rates and, in some cases, a percentage of the increase. Get the arrangement in writing and compare it here before you sign.
What size gap usually justifies appraisal?
There’s no rule, but gaps under about 10% of the carrier’s estimate or a few thousand dollars are often better handled with a documented supplement request.