Minnesota Insurance Appraisal Law
Minnesota's standard fire policy sets the appraisal procedure, and the Minnesota Supreme Court has held that appraisers may decide causation as part of the amount of loss.
Scope: Property insurance. Minnesota's standard fire policy (Minn. Stat. §65A.01, subd. 3) contains the appraisal clause.
Partially reviewed Review due Verified against the linked sources on October 20, 2026 · next review January 18, 2027
| Subject | Minnesota rule | Authority and related decisions |
|---|---|---|
| Impartiality | Competent and disinterested. Each party selects "a competent and disinterested appraiser" (Minn. Stat. §65A.01, subd. 3). | Statutes Minn. Stat. §65A.01, subd. 3 (standard fire policy) |
| Umpire selection | Appraisers select; court appoints if no agreement. The appraisers first select a competent and disinterested umpire. If they cannot agree within 15 days, a district court judge in the county where the loss occurred may appoint one on written application with five days' notice (§65A.01, subd. 3). | Statutes Minn. Stat. §65A.01, subd. 3 (standard fire policy) |
| Causation | Allowed. In Quade v. Secura Insurance, 814 N.W.2d 703 (Minn. 2012), the Minnesota Supreme Court held that an appraiser's determination of the "amount of loss" may include deciding the cause of the loss. Coverage questions remain for the courts. | Court decision Quade v. Secura Insurance, 814 N.W.2d 703 (Minn. 2012) Court decision Quade v. Secura Insurance (814 N.W.2d 703, 2012) |
| Award | Any two of three. A written, itemized award of any two of the appraisers and umpire, filed with the insurer, determines actual cash value and loss. Each party pays its own appraiser and shares the umpire and appraisal costs equally (§65A.01, subd. 3). | Statutes Minn. Stat. §65A.01, subd. 3 (standard fire policy) Court decision Jamestown Villas Homeowners Association v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. (No. 25-3154, 2026) |
| Deadlines | 20 days to name appraiser; 15 days for umpire. Each party names its appraiser within 20 days of the written demand; the appraisers have 15 days to agree on an umpire before either party may ask the court to appoint one (§65A.01, subd. 3). | Statutes Minn. Stat. §65A.01, subd. 3 (standard fire policy) |
Not yet reviewed for Minnesota: state license, contingency fees, coverage.
Minnesota authorities by category
Statutes and legislation
- Minn. Stat. §65A.01, subd. 3 (standard fire policy): Impartiality, Umpire selection, Award, Deadlines
Administrative rules and codes
Regulator: Minnesota Department of Commerce
Minnesota court decisions
- Jamestown Villas Homeowners Association v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. (No. 25-3154, 2026) (U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit): The Eighth Circuit affirmed confirmation of an appraisal award after concluding the award was sufficiently clear under the Minnesota-law standards applied in the case. Subjects: Award
- Quade v. Secura Insurance (814 N.W.2d 703, 2012) (Supreme Court of Minnesota): The court held that the "amount of loss" an appraiser determines can include deciding the cause of the loss. Subjects: Causation
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 · Minnesota in the research library · Minnesota decisions
Frequently asked questions
What impartiality standard applies to appraisers in Minnesota?
Competent and disinterested. Each party selects "a competent and disinterested appraiser" (Minn. Stat. §65A.01, subd. 3).
How is the umpire chosen in Minnesota if the appraisers cannot agree?
Appraisers select; court appoints if no agreement. The appraisers first select a competent and disinterested umpire. If they cannot agree within 15 days, a district court judge in the county where the loss occurred may appoint one on written application with five days' notice (§65A.01, subd. 3).
Can an appraisal panel decide causation in Minnesota?
Allowed. In Quade v. Secura Insurance, 814 N.W.2d 703 (Minn. 2012), the Minnesota Supreme Court held that an appraiser's determination of the "amount of loss" may include deciding the cause of the loss. Coverage questions remain for the courts.
Is an appraisal award binding in Minnesota, and how is it enforced?
Any two of three. A written, itemized award of any two of the appraisers and umpire, filed with the insurer, determines actual cash value and loss. Each party pays its own appraiser and shares the umpire and appraisal costs equally (§65A.01, subd. 3).
What appraisal deadlines apply in Minnesota?
20 days to name appraiser; 15 days for umpire. Each party names its appraiser within 20 days of the written demand; the appraisers have 15 days to agree on an umpire before either party may ask the court to appoint one (§65A.01, subd. 3).