Author profile
Sarah Patch
Co-Founder and Insurance Appraisal Writer
20 years across construction, design, and insurance-related work, including experience serving as an appraiser.
Sarah Patch on LinkedInAbout Sarah
Sarah Patch is a co-founder of InsuranceAppraisal.com and writes the site's educational insurance appraisal resources.
She has spent 20 years working across construction, design, and insurance-related fields, including experience serving as an appraiser. That background informs her focus on clear, state-specific explanations of the appraisal process.
Sarah leads vision and industry collaboration for InsuranceAppraisal.com. Her published work is educational and does not replace advice about a specific policy, claim, or legal matter.
Articles by Sarah Patch
New York Insurance Appraisal: Laws, Scope, and Process
New York property insurance appraisal under sections 3404 and 3408, including demands, umpire selection, valuation scope, awards, and court limits.
Georgia Insurance Appraisal: Laws, Scope, and Process
Georgia insurance appraisal law, including enforceability, the line between value and liability, policy-specific pre-suit rules, awards, and consumer help.
South Carolina Insurance Appraisal: Law and Process
South Carolina property insurance appraisal, including Harwell, policy conditions, valuation versus coverage, fire-loss law, deadlines, and SCDOI guidance.
Oklahoma Insurance Appraisal: One-Way Binding Rules
Oklahoma insurance appraisal under section 4803 and Massey, including one-way binding effect, mutual-agreement forms, scope, demands, and OID mediation.
Arizona Insurance Appraisal: Laws, Scope, and Process
Arizona property insurance appraisal under section 20-1503, including panel scope, arbitration-style review, waiver by delay, demands, awards, and DIFI rules.
The Ultimate Guide to Insurance Appraisal in California
How insurance appraisal works in California. Insurance Code § 2071, standard fire policy, CDI regulations, FAIR Plan, key case law, causation restrictions, process steps, and where to find qualified appraisers and umpires.
The Ultimate Guide to Insurance Appraisal in Colorado
How insurance appraisal works in Colorado. DORA Bulletin B-5.26, appraiser impartiality standards, the BonBeck causation ruling, bad faith protections under CRS 10-3-1115, and where to find qualified appraisers and umpires.
The Ultimate Guide to Insurance Appraisal in Illinois
How insurance appraisal works in Illinois. Standard Fire Policy provisions, binding status under case law, the Zhao v. State Farm causation ruling, Section 155 bad faith remedies, IDOI oversight, FAIR Plan, and where to find qualified appraisers and umpires.
The Ultimate Guide to Insurance Appraisal in North Carolina
How insurance appraisal works in North Carolina. Standard fire policy clause, binding award rules, 3-year statute of limitations from date of loss, disaster mediation, coastal windstorm claims, and where to find qualified appraisers and umpires.
The Ultimate Guide to Insurance Appraisal in Iowa
How insurance appraisal works in Iowa after SF 619. Mandatory licensing, statutory timelines, the Walnut Creek causation rule, IID umpire selection, binding award enforcement, and where to find qualified appraisers and umpires.
The Ultimate Guide to Insurance Appraisal in Florida
How insurance appraisal works in Florida after SB 2-A. Statute language, the Johnson causation rule, Parrish disinterest standard, binding award enforcement, and where to find qualified appraisers and umpires.
The Ultimate Guide to Insurance Appraisal in Texas
A deep dive into Texas insurance appraisal statutes, key court decisions like State Farm v. Johnson, appraiser qualifications, and practical tips for Lone Star State policyholders.
The Ultimate Guide to Insurance Appraisal in Louisiana
A comprehensive guide to Louisiana insurance appraisal — HB 609, the non-binding rule under R.S. 22:868, LDI Directive 173, appraiser qualifications, key case law, and practical guidance for policyholders and professionals.
Property Insurance Deductibles: Types, Amounts & How They Work in 2026
A comprehensive reference guide to property insurance deductibles — flat-dollar, percentage-based, wind/hail, and hurricane — with state-by-state data tables and practical examples.
What Is the Insurance Appraisal Process? A Guide for Property Claims
A comprehensive guide to the insurance appraisal process — how it works, when to use it, state-by-state differences, and how to choose the right professionals.
What Is an Insurance Appraisal? Definition and Complete Guide
A policy-focused explanation of what insurance appraisal decides, how the panel works, where coverage questions remain, and how to judge whether the process fits a dispute.
How to File an Insurance Claim: Step-by-Step Guide for 2026
How to report a property loss, organize evidence, document damaged property, and review the insurer's estimate without overstating the claim.
Storm Damage Assessment: What Every Homeowner Should Know
A safety-first field guide to photographing storm damage, preserving evidence, separating observations from causation, and knowing when a specialist is needed.
How to Choose the Right Insurance Appraiser for Your Claim
Key factors to consider when hiring an insurance appraiser, including credentials, experience, and specialization.
The Insurance Umpire Process Explained: When Appraisers Disagree
A detailed look at the insurance umpire process, including when it's triggered, how umpires are selected, and what to expect.