Using the insurance appraisal cost calculator
- Enter the insurer’s replacement cost total, before depreciation and deductible.
- Enter your estimate, also at replacement cost, from a contractor or independent estimator.
- Test several outcomes. Try 30%, 55% and 80% on the slider instead of trusting one answer.
- Add fees using your appraiser’s quoted arrangement and a realistic umpire fee.
Reading the result
If your net only turns positive near 100%, the case depends on winning every item, and that’s fragile. If it stays positive at 40% or 50%, the dispute is large enough that appraisal may be worth discussing. Example figures in the tool are illustrative.
What it leaves out
Deductibles, depreciation timing and policy limits change what you’re paid, not the size of the dispute. For those, use the holdback recovery calculator and the deductible converter.
Questions about this tool
Is the projected award a prediction?
No. It’s a scenario you choose. Real awards depend on documentation, the panel and your policy.
What do appraisers typically charge?
Arrangements vary: flat fees, hourly rates or a percentage of the increase. Get the fee in writing before you sign, and compare it with the gap you’re trying to close.