Insurance Appraisal Umpire / Arbiter in Texas

Neutral Resolution of Residential and Commercial Property Insurance Disputes

When an insured’s appraiser and the insurance company’s appraiser cannot agree on the amount of a property loss, an experienced insurance appraisal umpire can help the panel reach a fair, organized, and timely resolution.

Eric Ramirez serves as an insurance appraisal umpire and neutral arbiter of amount-of-loss disputes throughout Texas. He has served as a court-appointed insurance appraisal umpire in Harris County, Webb County, and other Texas matters involving residential and commercial property damage.

⚖️ Umpire fee: $1.00 per square foot

⏱️ Goal: Resolve the appraisal dispute within 30 days

In residential disputes, 30-day objective begins after the appointment is accepted and the appraisers provide their complete positions, estimates, supporting documents, disputed items, and required payments. The actual completion time may depend on the complexity of the loss, cooperation of the panel, inspections, expert involvement, and document availability.

☎ Request Eric Ramirez as Your Insurance Appraisal Umpire

---

Experienced, Independent Insurance Appraisal Umpire

An appraisal is commonly used to resolve disagreements concerning the amount of an insured property loss. The policyholder and insurance company each select an appraiser. When their estimates differ, the appraisers select an umpire to address the unresolved items.

The umpire’s responsibility is not to advocate for either party, in many times “does not” write the estimate. The umpire reviews the competing positions, evaluates the supporting information, identifies the actual differences, provides his expert opinion as a Master Builder with the National Association of Homebuilders, Residential Building Inspector with the International Code Counsel, etc. and works with the appraisal panel toward an award based on the documented amount of loss.

Eric Ramirez brings experience in:

• Insurance appraisal
• Property-loss evaluation
• Construction estimating
• Residential and commercial building damage
• Insurance policy estimating platforms
• Alternative dispute resolution
• Court-appointed umpire assignments
• Expert-witness and property-inspection work

His objective is to provide both appraisers with a professional, organized, and impartial process.

---

Insurance Appraisal Umpire Fee

💵 $1.00 Per Square Foot

Eric Ramirez generally charges an umpire fee calculated at:

$1.00 per square foot

The applicable square footage and final fee will be identified in the written umpire agreement, invoice, or court appointment materials.

The fee may depend on:

• Total property square footage
• Area included in the dispute
• Number of buildings or structures
• Residential or commercial occupancy
• Complexity of the disputed scope
• Amount and organization of documentation
• Need for an on-site inspection
• Travel requirements
• Specialized consultants or experts
• Duties imposed by a court order

Each party is commonly responsible for “one-half” of the umpire’s expense, although the governing policy, agreement, or court order should be reviewed for the controlling payment terms.

---

A Goal of Resolving the Dispute Within 30 Days

⏱️ Efficient Does Not Mean Rushed

The goal in residential / commerical is to move the appraisal forward and work toward resolution within 30 days after the file is complete.

A complete umpire submission should generally include:

• The applicable insurance policy and appraisal provision
• Disputed Estimates 
• The written appraisal demand
• The umpire-selection agreement or court order
• Both appraisers’ estimates
• A clear statement of each appraiser’s position
• A line-by-line list of disputed items
• Photographs and videos
• Measurements and diagrams
• Engineering or consultant reports
• Contractor proposals
• Invoices and receipts
• Relevant scope and pricing documentation
• Confirmation of the umpire fee

Delays often occur when the panel has not exchanged estimates, has not identified its actual differences, or submits an incomplete file.

The 30-day target is a professional objective—not a guarantee. Large commercial losses, multiple structures, expert disputes, scheduling problems, incomplete documentation, or uncooperative participants may require additional time.

---

How the Umpire Process Works

📩 1. Appointment or Selection

Eric Ramirez receives the written selection from the two appraisers or a court order appointing him as umpire.

The appointment documents should identify:

• The insured
• Insurance company
• Claim number
• Property address
• Date and cause of loss
• Names of both appraisers
• Scope of the appointment
• Applicable deadlines
• Special court requirements, when applicable

📄 2. Engagement and Fee Agreement

The panel receives the umpire engagement terms, disclosure information, document requirements, payment instructions, and scheduling procedure.

“Both sides should provide documents and payments before substantive review and scheduling begins.”

📊 3. Exchange of Positions

Each appraiser should submit a complete estimate and clearly state the amount being presented.

The panel should identify areas of agreement and create a focused list of remaining disagreements.

🔍 4. File Review

The umpire reviews the estimates, measurements, photographs, expert reports, repair scopes, pricing, quantities, and other supporting materials.

🏠 5. Inspection or Panel Conference

When necessary, the umpire may schedule:

• A property inspection
• Virtual panel conference
• In-person appraisal meeting
• Estimate comparison meeting
• Expert presentation
• Focused review of disputed items

🤝 6. Deliberation

The umpire discusses the unresolved items with both appraisers and provides each side a reasonable opportunity to explain its position and supporting information.

✍️ 7. Appraisal Award

The appraisal panel works toward a written award reflecting the amount-of-loss determination. Texas Department of Insurance materials explain that appraisal addresses the amount of damage and is distinct from a dispute over whether the policy covers the loss.

---

Residential Insurance Appraisal Umpire Services

🏠 Residential Property Disputes

Residential appraisal assignments may involve:

• Roofing systems
• Exterior elevations
• Windows and doors
• Interior water damage
• Flooring and cabinetry
• Fire and smoke damage
• Plumbing losses
• Hurricane damage
• Wind and hail damage
• Structural components
• Detached structures
• Garages and carports
• Pools and exterior improvements
• Contents-related valuation issues when included in the appointment

The umpire evaluates the disputed quantities, repair methods, scope, pricing, and supporting documentation presented by the appraisers.

---

Commercial Insurance Appraisal Umpire Services

🏢 Commercial and Complex Property Losses

Commercial disputes often require review of multiple estimates, specialized trades, extensive measurements, operational considerations, and large volumes of supporting documentation.

Assignments may involve:

• Apartment complexes
• Multifamily properties
• Retail centers
• Office buildings
• Warehouses
• Industrial facilities
• Restaurants
• Hotels and hospitality properties
• Churches
• Schools
• Medical offices
• Commercial roofing systems
• Mixed-use properties
• Multiple-building losses
• Large-loss fire and water claims

Complex commercial matters may require a structured document-exchange schedule and separate conferences addressing different portions of the claim.

---

Types of Property Damage Reviewed

🌪️ Wind and Hurricane Damage

Evaluation of roofing, exterior cladding, openings, water intrusion, interior damage, and related repair requirements.

🧊 Hail Damage

Review of roofing systems, metal components, exterior surfaces, mechanical equipment, and disputed repair or replacement scopes.

🔥 Fire and Smoke Damage

Evaluation of direct fire damage, smoke effects, demolition, cleaning, replacement, and building restoration costs.

💧 Water Damage

Review of plumbing failures, roof leaks, water migration, interior finishes, drying-related repairs, and resulting construction scope.

🏗️ Structural and Building Damage

Evaluation of framing, foundations, building-envelope components, code-related work, and associated repair requirements when included in the appraisal.

⚙️ Equipment and Specialty Components

Review of mechanical, electrical, roofing, commercial equipment, or specialized building components supported by appropriate documentation.

---

Why Select Eric Ramirez?

⚖️ Court-Appointed Umpire Experience

Eric Ramirez has served as a court-appointed insurance appraisal umpire in Houston, Laredo, and other Texas matters.

Court appointments may involve additional requirements, including:

• Compliance with the appointment order
• Written disclosures
• Defined deadlines
• Fee allocation
• Status communications
• Panel scheduling
• Submission of an award or other required document

🏗️ Construction and Estimating Experience

An effective umpire must understand more than the total shown at the bottom of an estimate.

The review may require consideration of:

• Damage scope
• Measurements and quantities
• Repair methodology
• Labor and material pricing
• Construction sequencing
• Trade coordination
• Access requirements
• Demolition and debris removal
• General contractor involvement
• Building components
• Estimate documentation

📋 Organized Dispute Resolution

The process focuses on the actual disputed items rather than repeating the entire claim history.

Both appraisers are expected to provide:

• A complete position
• Supporting documentation
• A list of remaining differences
• Professional communication
• Availability for inspection or conference
• Timely responses

🤝 Impartial Treatment of Both Appraisers

The umpire is not the insured’s representative and is not the insurance company’s representative.

Both appraisers receive an opportunity to present their estimates, explain their reasoning, and provide supporting information.

⏱️ Focus on Timely Completion

The goal is to prevent avoidable delay and move a complete appraisal file toward resolution within 30 days whenever reasonably possible.

---

Texas Service Areas

Eric Ramirez accepts residential and commercial umpire assignments throughout Texas, including:

📍 Houston and Southeast Texas

• Houston
• Harris County
• Fort Bend County
• Galveston County
• Brazoria County
• Montgomery County
• Baytown
• The Woodlands
• Katy
• Pearland
• Pearland
• Sugar Land / Richmond 

📍 South Texas

• Port Arthur
• Victoria
• Laredo
• Webb County
• Corpus Christi
• Coastal Texas communities

📍 Additional Texas Assignments

Assignments may also be accepted in:

• Dallas–Fort Worth
• San Antonio
• Austin
• Other Texas counties and judicial districts

Travel and scheduling requirements are evaluated when the appointment is received.

---

Documents to Submit to the Umpire

📁 Required Appointment Information

• Court order or written umpire-selection agreement
• Insurance policy appraisal provision
• Claim number
• Property address
• Date of loss
• Cause of loss
• Contact information for both appraisers
• Counsel information, when applicable

📐 Property and Estimating Information

• Estimates from both appraisers
• Roof and building measurements
• Floor plans
• Photographs
• Videos
• Inspection reports
• Contractor estimates
• Engineering reports
• Weather information
• Material-testing reports
• Prior repair documentation

⚖️ Disputed-Issue Summary

Each appraiser should clearly identify:

• Items agreed upon
• Items still disputed
• Quantity differences
• Pricing differences
• Repair-versus-replacement differences
• Supporting documents for each position
• Total amount presented

Submitting thousands of pages without identifying the actual differences may delay the process.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an insurance appraisal umpire do?

An umpire reviews disagreements between the insured’s appraiser and the insurer’s appraiser concerning the amount of a property loss. The appraisers first attempt to agree; the umpire addresses unresolved items presented by the appraisal panel.

Is an umpire the same as an arbitrator?

No. An insurance appraisal umpire operates under the appraisal provision of an insurance policy or a related court order. Formal arbitration is a different dispute-resolution process. The word arbiter may describe the umpire’s neutral decision-making role, but the proper insurance appraisal title is umpire.

How much does Eric Ramirez charge as an umpire?

The general umpire fee is:

$1.00 per square foot

The applicable square footage, scope, travel, complexity, and payment terms will be stated in writing.

Who pays the umpire?

The insured and insurance company commonly divide the umpire’s expenses, but the actual payment obligation depends on the policy, agreement, or court order.

Can the appraisal be completed within 30 days?

The goal is to resolve the dispute within 30 days after the appointment, complete documentation, appraisers’ positions, and required payments are received.

The completion date may be affected by inspections, expert reports, file size, complexity, travel, scheduling, and cooperation of the appraisal panel.

Does appraisal decide whether damage is covered?

Appraisal is generally used to determine the amount of loss, not to decide legal coverage disputes. Coverage questions may remain for the parties, insurer, attorneys, or court after the appraisal process.

Does Eric Ramirez accept court appointments?

Yes. Eric Ramirez has served as a court-appointed insurance appraisal umpire in Houston, Laredo, and other Texas matters.

A copy of the signed appointment order should be provided immediately, together with the appraisers’ contact information and all applicable deadlines.

Are both residential and commercial assignments accepted?

Yes. Umpire services are available for residential, multifamily, commercial, industrial, retail, office, hospitality, and other property-loss disputes.

Is a property inspection always required?

Not necessarily. The need for an inspection depends on the disputed issues, available evidence, condition of the property, quality of the estimates, and the panel’s positions.

---

Request Eric Ramirez as Umpire

⚖️ Insurance Appraisal Umpire / Arbiter Services

Eric Ramirez is available for party-selected and court-appointed insurance appraisal umpire assignments involving residential and commercial property disputes throughout Texas.

Service highlights

• $1.00 per-square-foot umpire fee
• Residential and commercial assignments
• Court-appointed umpire experience
• Houston and Laredo appointments
• Construction and estimating background
• Organized panel procedures
• Goal of resolution within 30 days
• Statewide Texas availability

☎ Contact Eric Ramirez

Phone: (281) 780-6532
Email: er@eric-ramirez.com