Insurance appraisal in Maine
Maine writes the standard fire policy into its insurance code, so the appraisal clause for fire coverage comes from statute. Each side has 20 days to name an appraiser, the appraisers have 15 days to agree on an umpire, and a judge picks one if they cannot. An itemized award signed by any two of the three and filed with the insurer sets the amount of loss.
At a glance
- Name an appraiser
- 20 days after the written demand (24-A M.R.S. § 3002, standard fire policy).
- Choose an umpire
- The appraisers have 15 days to agree on a competent and disinterested umpire.
- If they cannot agree
- On request of either side, a judge of a court of record in the state where the property is located.
- Does appraisal pause the deadline to sue?
- The statute does not say appraisal pauses the deadline to sue, and we found no Maine decision that does. The standard form requires suit within two years after the inception of the loss.
- Who may serve
- We found no Maine license for appraisers or umpires. The standard form requires each to be competent and disinterested. More below
Deadlines in Maine
The clock
- Day 0Written demandEither party, in writing
- By day 20Appraisers named20 days for each side
- By day 35Umpire chosen15 days, or a court appoints
- On siteInspectionBoth estimates, line by line
- The awardAward signedAny two of three
- After the awardPayment60 days after proof of loss and a filed award for fire coverage (30 days for other perils)
Either side starts appraisal by written demand when you and the insurer disagree on actual cash value or the amount of loss. Each side then has 20 days from that demand to choose an appraiser and tell the other side who it is. The appraisers have 15 days to agree on an umpire. If they do not, either side can ask a judge of a court of record in Maine to pick one. The form sets no deadline for the appraisers' work, so the timing after that depends on the case.
The statutory form applies to fire coverage. A homeowners or other combination policy that covers fire and other perils does not have to copy the form word for word, but under 24-A M.R.S. § 3003 its fire coverage must be at least as broad, and subject without change to the same general conditions, including the appraisal condition. For the other perils in the policy, the wording of your policy controls, and it may differ.
What the panel decides
Actual cash value and amount of loss
The standard clause covers a disagreement about the actual cash value or the amount of loss. The appraisers state actual cash value and loss for each item and send only their differences to the umpire. Whether the policy covers the loss at all is a different question, and the clause does not hand it to the panel. The statute says nothing about causation, and we did not find a Maine appellate decision on whether appraisers may decide it.
Who may serve
The standard form requires each appraiser and the umpire to be competent and disinterested. Maine's statute sets no license, training or experience requirement, and we found no Maine licensing rule for appraisers or umpires. The word disinterested points to someone with no stake in the result. Each side pays the appraiser it selects, and the two sides split the other expenses of the appraisal and the umpire equally.
The award
An itemized written award signed by any two of the three, once filed with the insurer, determines the actual cash value and the loss. The statute lists no grounds for setting an award aside, and we did not find a Maine decision stating the standard, so a challenge to an award goes to a court. Under the form, the loss is payable 60 days after the insurer receives proof of loss and the loss is settled by written agreement or by a filed award.
Points particular to Maine
The standard form says an insurer does not waive any policy provision by taking part in the appraisal. Taking part in appraisal does not waive the insurer's rights under the policy.
Maine's prompt payment statute, 24-A M.R.S. § 2436, makes a claim payable within 30 days after proof of loss and settlement of the amount, whether by written agreement or by a filed award, and says the period is 60 days for the fire portion of a standard or combination policy. Overdue claims carry interest.
Maine's unfair claims settlement statute, 24-A M.R.S. § 2436-A, lets an insured sue their own insurer for conduct such as failing to acknowledge and review a claim in a reasonable time or, without just cause, failing to make a prompt, fair settlement once liability is reasonably clear. Damages include interest at 1 1/2 percent per month and reasonable attorney's fees.
Common losses in Maine
Each one links back to how we look at that kind of loss.
Questions
Does my Maine homeowners policy have an appraisal clause?
For fire coverage, yes. Maine requires the standard fire policy form, or a combination policy whose fire coverage is subject without change to the same conditions, and that form includes the appraisal clause. For other perils, check your policy's conditions under Appraisal.
How long do we have to name an appraiser in Maine?
20 days after the written demand for appraisal.
Who chooses the umpire in Maine if the appraisers cannot agree?
The appraisers have 15 days to agree. If they do not, either side can ask a judge of a court of record in Maine to pick the umpire.
Can the appraisers decide whether my loss is covered in Maine?
No. The clause is about actual cash value and the amount of loss. Whether the policy covers the loss is a question for a court. We found no Maine decision on whether appraisers can decide the cause of damage.
Does demanding appraisal pause the deadline to sue in Maine?
The statute does not say it does, and we found no Maine decision that says so. The standard form requires suit within two years after the inception of the loss, so keep that date in view while appraisal runs.
Do appraisers need a license in Maine?
We found no Maine license for property claim appraisers. The standard form requires each appraiser and the umpire to be competent and disinterested.
Before you decide anything
Has a claim in Maine stalled on the number?
Tell us what happened and where. We'll read the policy and tell you plainly whether appraisal fits.
When you write to us
- We read the policy, the estimates on both sides and the letters that came with them.
- We tell you plainly whether appraisal fits the disagreement, and if it doesn't, who can help.
- If it fits, we confirm next steps in writing before anything starts.
Reviewed against the sources listed, October 2026. General information, not legal advice.