Nebraska Insurance Appraisal Law
The Nebraska Supreme Court held a pre-dispute appraisal clause void as against public policy, and the Department of Insurance says policies should allow appraisal only if both parties agree to it after a dispute arises.
Scope: Fire and lightning policies, which must conform as nearly as practicable to the 1943 New York Standard Fire Policy (Neb. Rev. Stat. §44-501, as described in Nebraska Department of Insurance guidance IGD-C11).
Partially reviewed Review due Verified against the linked sources on October 20, 2026 · next review January 18, 2027
| Subject | Nebraska rule | Authority and related decisions |
|---|---|---|
| Award | Pre-dispute clause void; appraisal by agreement after a dispute. In Rawlings v. Amco Insurance Co., 231 Neb. 874 (1989), the court held unenforceable a homeowners policy's appraisal clause that bound the parties to a nonjudicial determination of the amount of a future loss, and reversed a judgment for the insurer based on the insureds' refusal to appraise. The Department's guidance document IGD-C11 (October 20, 2022; previously CB-139) says fire and lightning policies "should contain an appraisal provision that would permit appraisals only if agreed to by both parties after a dispute arises." The guidance describes itself as advisory. | Court decision Rawlings v. Amco Insurance Co., 231 Neb. 874 (1989) Department guidance Nebraska Department of Insurance Guidance Document IGD-C11 (Oct. 20, 2022) Court decision Rawlings v. Amco Insurance Co. (231 Neb. 874, 1989) |
Not yet reviewed for Nebraska: state license, contingency fees, impartiality, umpire selection, causation, coverage, deadlines.
Nebraska authorities by category
Administrative rules and codes
Insurance department guidance
Regulator: Nebraska Department of Insurance
Nebraska court decisions
- Rawlings v. Amco Insurance Co. (231 Neb. 874, 1989) (Supreme Court of Nebraska): A homeowners policy's appraisal clause binding the parties to a nonjudicial determination of the amount of a future loss was against public policy and unenforceable; summary judgment for the insurer was reversed. Subjects: Award
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".
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Frequently asked questions
Is an appraisal award binding in Nebraska, and how is it enforced?
Pre-dispute clause void; appraisal by agreement after a dispute. In Rawlings v. Amco Insurance Co., 231 Neb. 874 (1989), the court held unenforceable a homeowners policy's appraisal clause that bound the parties to a nonjudicial determination of the amount of a future loss, and reversed a judgment for the insurer based on the insureds' refusal to appraise. The Department's guidance document IGD-C11 (October 20, 2022; previously CB-139) says fire and lightning policies "should contain an appraisal provision that would permit appraisals only if agreed to by both parties after a dispute arises." The guidance describes itself as advisory.