How Appraisal Differs from Public Adjusting
Public adjusting involves managing the claim from start to finish, including documentation, policy review, communication with the insurer where allowed, and negotiation of scope and pricing issues.
Appraisal is different. It is a limited, valuation-focused process typically used after a claim has already been submitted and the only remaining dispute is the amount of loss. As an appraiser or umpire, my role is not to manage the entire claim, but to provide an independent evaluation of the scope and value of the damage within the structure of the appraisal clause.
In some cases, full public adjusting services may not be necessary. If the claim has already been documented and the disagreement is limited to pricing or scope, appraisal can be a more focused alternative. I offer appraisal and umpire services for those situations, as well as full-service public adjusting when broader claim management is needed.
Meet Your Public Adjuster Christopher L. Friedley
When you choose to work with a Public Adjuster, you are choosing to spend the next 3, 6, or even 12 months with that professional on your insurance claim. You deserve someone you can trust, who will take a comprehensive look at your loss and your policy, document your claim completely, and defend your interests with the insurance company. You need someone who understands your needs and will communicate clearly and often with you on the status of your claim and what's coming next.
My mission is to be that kind of public adjuster for business owners and families in Mississippi and Louisiana, because I understand first-hand what it's like to be on the other side.
That's because when Hurricane Katrina struck Mississippi in 2005, like many in our community, I experienced firsthand the devastation along the Gulf Coast. I spent nine hours clinging to a live oak tree in Biloxi after my in-laws’ home was swept away in the storm surge. In the aftermath, I watched my family navigate a technically complex insurance claim involving wind versus water damage, and I saw how detailed documentation and policy interpretation–or its absence–can significantly affect the outcome of a loss.
Professional Credentials Grounded in Industry Standards. My designations demonstrate advanced training in property claims, valuation, and policy interpretation. BBB Accredited for Professional Business Standards.
Do You Need an Appraiser or a Public Adjuster? Here's Some Criteria to Consider.
When dealing with an insurance claim, the right approach depends on the issue at hand. I offer both public adjusting and appraisal services to support property owners at different stages of the claims process.
Here’s a comparison to help you understand the purpose and focus of each service:
Public Adjusting Services
Public adjusting is a good fit for property owners who want full support at the start of a claim or at any point during the process. As your public adjuster, I represent your interests and help manage the claim from documentation through resolution.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive Claim Support: I assist with policy review, damage documentation, claim preparation, and communication with the insurance company where allowed.**
- Representation: I help present a clear, well-supported claim and respond to scope, pricing, and documentation questions as they arise.
- Best for New, Complex, or Disputed Claims: Public adjusting is often helpful when the scope is still being developed, documentation is incomplete, or the claim involves multiple issues.
- Ongoing Involvement: I stay involved throughout the process, helping keep the file organized, tracking documentation and deadlines, and coordinating follow-up support as needed.**
Public Adjusting is Best For:
- Policyholders starting a claim from the beginning
- Claims involving significant damage or complex losses, such as hurricanes or fires
- Property owners who want experienced support managing the claim process
Appraisal Services
Appraisal services are a specialized form of dispute resolution used when you and the insurance company disagree on the amount of loss. Unlike public adjusting, appraisal is not full claim management. My role as an appraiser or umpire is to provide an independent valuation of the loss and work within the appraisal process to help resolve that dispute.
Key Features:
- Dispute Resolution: Appraisal is used to resolve disagreements over the amount of loss, not to manage the entire claim.
- Structured Process: Each side selects an appraiser, and an umpire may be involved if the appraisers cannot reach agreement.
- Appraiser or Umpire Services: I can serve as either a party appraiser or, when selected jointly, as a neutral umpire in the appraisal process.
- Focus on Valuation: As your appraiser, I evaluate the documented damage and prepare a supported valuation of the loss.
- Focused Alternative: Appraisal can be an efficient alternative when the dispute is limited to scope or pricing rather than broader claim issues.
Appraisal/Umpire Services are Best For:
- Claims where coverage has been acknowledged, but the amount of loss remains in dispute
- Policyholders who need a focused valuation service rather than full claim management
Why I Offer Both Public Adjusting and Appraisal/Umpire Services
I offer both public adjusting and appraisal services because not every insurance claim requires the same level of involvement. Some property owners need full support from the beginning of the claims process, while others need focused help resolving a dispute over the amount of loss.
Here’s why having both options matters:
- Versatility: I can assist at different stages of the claims process, whether you are starting a claim, responding to a disputed scope or pricing issue, or considering appraisal.
- Experience Across Different Claim Situations: With over two decades of property-claims experience, I can tailor my role to the needs of the claim, whether that means full claim support or a more limited valuation-focused service.
- A Service That Fits the Dispute: In some situations, appraisal may be an efficient option when the disagreement is limited to the amount of loss. In others, public adjusting may be more appropriate when broader documentation, coordination, and claim support are needed.
- Client-Focused Support: Offering both services allows me to recommend the approach that best fits the claim, rather than forcing every matter into the same process.
If you are unsure which service is the better fit for your situation, I can help you evaluate the options during a no-cost consultation. Whether you need full claim support or a focused appraisal or umpire service, I’m available to discuss the next step. Call me at 888-572-5372 or complete the form to schedule a time to talk.
What to Expect When You Work with CLFPA
While every case is unique, here's what you can generally expect when you choose me as your Appraiser/Umpire.**
Free Consultation
We’ll review the situation together to determine whether appraisal is appropriate. Most property insurance policies contain an appraisal clause under the “Conditions” section.
Request Appraisal in Writing
If it’s a good fit, we’ll help prepare and send a formal demand to your insurance company, identifying CLFPA as your chosen appraiser.
Comprehensive Documentation
Using tools the insurance company respects, I'll thoroughly assess and document all aspects of your property damage—structural, personal, and more—creating a strong foundation for your claim.
Each Side Selects an Appraiser
The insurance company names their own independent appraiser. This must be someone impartial—not the same adjuster who issued the disputed estimate.
Appraisers Choose an Umpire
If the two appraisers can't agree, they appoint a neutral umpire. If any two of the three agree on the amount of loss, that decision is binding under the policy.
Receive the Final Award
Once the appraisal award is signed, the insurance company typically issues payment within a few days based on the agreed amount.