Florida Insurance Appraisal Law
Florida limits when a proposed umpire can be challenged to four listed conflicts of interest. The Florida Supreme Court sends causation to the appraisal panel when the insurer admits a covered loss, and a pre-suit statute lets the insurer answer a notice of intent to sue by requiring appraisal.
Scope: Residential property insurance appraisal; the pre-suit notice rules in §627.70152 apply to suits under residential or commercial property policies. AUA has not yet reviewed Florida rules on appraiser licensing or appraiser fees.
Partially reviewed Review due Verified against the linked sources on October 20, 2026 · next review January 18, 2027
| Subject | Florida rule | Authority and related decisions |
|---|---|---|
| Umpire selection | Disqualification on four grounds only. An insurer or policyholder may challenge and disqualify a proposed umpire only if the umpire (1) is related to a party or its representative within the third degree; (2) previously represented a party professionally on the same claim or property; (3) represented someone with materially adverse interests in a substantially related matter; or (4) was an employer or employee of a party within the prior five years (Fla. Stat. §627.70151). | Statutes Fla. Stat. §627.70151 (Appraisal; conflicts of interest) |
| Causation | Panel decides if coverage admitted. Johnson v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., 828 So. 2d 1021 (Fla. 2002): "causation is a coverage question for the court when an insurer wholly denies that there is a covered loss and an amount-of-loss question for the appraisal panel when an insurer admits that there is covered loss, the amount of which is disputed." | Court decision Johnson v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., 828 So. 2d 1021 (Fla. 2002) Court decision Johnson v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. (828 So. 2d 1021, 2002) |
| Deadlines | Pre-suit notice: 10 business days; suit allowed 90 days later. Before suing under a property policy, a claimant must give the Department of Financial Services written notice of intent to initiate litigation at least 10 business days before filing, and the insurer must respond in writing within 10 business days. If the notice alleges an act or omission other than a denial of coverage, the insurer must respond with a settlement offer or by requiring appraisal or another method of alternative dispute resolution. Limitation periods under s. 95.11 are tolled while appraisal is ongoing, and if appraisal has not concluded within 90 days after the 10-day notice period expires, the claimant may file suit without further notice (Fla. Stat. §627.70152(3)-(4)). | Statutes Fla. Stat. §627.70152 (Suits arising under a property insurance policy) |
Not yet reviewed for Florida: state license, contingency fees, impartiality, coverage, award.
Florida authorities by category
Statutes and legislation
- Fla. Stat. §627.70151 (Appraisal; conflicts of interest): Umpire selection
- Fla. Stat. §627.70152 (Suits arising under a property insurance policy): Deadlines
Administrative rules and codes
Regulator: Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
Florida court decisions
- Baytree, Condominium, Section Eight, Inc. v. Clear Blue Specialty Insurance Co. (No. 24-10889, 2026) (U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit): The opinion addresses a property insurance dispute involving appraisal demands, disputed damage scope, and the policy's notice and coverage provisions. Subjects: Coverage
- Johnson v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. (828 So. 2d 1021, 2002) (Supreme Court of Florida): Causation is a coverage question for the court when the insurer wholly denies a covered loss, and an amount-of-loss question for the appraisal panel when the insurer admits a covered loss and disputes its amount. Subjects: Causation, Coverage
Research, not legal advice. Each entry summarizes the linked statute, regulation, guidance or court decision as checked on the date shown. Laws change, policy wording controls, and courts in the same state can disagree. Read the source and consult a licensed attorney before relying on any entry. Coverage is not yet exhaustive: states marked "Not yet reviewed" have not been researched, not "no rule".
← All states · Florida in the research library · Florida decisions
Frequently asked questions
How is the umpire chosen in Florida if the appraisers cannot agree?
Disqualification on four grounds only. An insurer or policyholder may challenge and disqualify a proposed umpire only if the umpire (1) is related to a party or its representative within the third degree; (2) previously represented a party professionally on the same claim or property; (3) represented someone with materially adverse interests in a substantially related matter; or (4) was an employer or employee of a party within the prior five years (Fla. Stat. §627.70151).
Can an appraisal panel decide causation in Florida?
Panel decides if coverage admitted. Johnson v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., 828 So. 2d 1021 (Fla. 2002): "causation is a coverage question for the court when an insurer wholly denies that there is a covered loss and an amount-of-loss question for the appraisal panel when an insurer admits that there is covered loss, the amount of which is disputed."
What appraisal deadlines apply in Florida?
Pre-suit notice: 10 business days; suit allowed 90 days later. Before suing under a property policy, a claimant must give the Department of Financial Services written notice of intent to initiate litigation at least 10 business days before filing, and the insurer must respond in writing within 10 business days. If the notice alleges an act or omission other than a denial of coverage, the insurer must respond with a settlement offer or by requiring appraisal or another method of alternative dispute resolution. Limitation periods under s. 95.11 are tolled while appraisal is ongoing, and if appraisal has not concluded within 90 days after the 10-day notice period expires, the claimant may file suit without further notice (Fla. Stat. §627.70152(3)-(4)).