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
The Ultimate Guide to Insurance Appraisal in Maryland
Maryland insurance appraisal under issued policy language, including enforceability, amount and coverage boundaries, panel procedure, deadlines, award review, MIA assistance, and JIA distinctions.
The Ultimate Guide to Insurance Appraisal in Connecticut
Connecticut insurance appraisal under sections 38a-306 through 38a-308, including standard-form mechanics, issued-policy variations, matching, deadlines, award review, CID, and FAIR Plan cautions.
The Ultimate Guide to Insurance Appraisal in Tennessee
Tennessee insurance appraisal under the issued policy, including amount and coverage boundaries, the arbitration distinction, panel procedure, timing, award effect, and TDCI assistance.
The Ultimate Guide to Insurance Appraisal in New Jersey
New Jersey insurance appraisal under the scoped standard fire-policy framework, including issued-form variations, valuation and coverage boundaries, suit timing, award limits, DOBI, and NJIUA cautions.
The Ultimate Guide to Insurance Appraisal in Virginia
Virginia insurance appraisal under Va. Code § 38.2-2105, including statutory panel mechanics, issued-policy variations, claim-specific conflicts, deadlines, SCC guidance, and VPIA distinctions.
The Ultimate Guide to Insurance Appraisal in Massachusetts
Massachusetts statutory reference under M.G.L. c. 175, including cross-nominated referees, amount and coverage boundaries, timing, awards, DOI powers, and MPIUA cautions.
The Ultimate Guide to Insurance Appraisal in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania insurance appraisal, including 40 P.S. § 636 within its defined fire-policy scope, panel procedure, causation limits, deadlines, awards, and FAIR Plan distinctions.
The Ultimate Guide to Insurance Appraisal in Ohio
Ohio insurance appraisal law, including policy-specific procedure, the coverage and causation boundary, contractual suit limits, award review, ODI rules, and FAIR Plan cautions.
The Ultimate Guide to Insurance Appraisal in Michigan
Michigan insurance appraisal for qualifying fire policies under MCL 500.2833, including panel procedure, category-specific coverage, causation, statutory tolling, awards, DIFS guidance, and MBPIA limits.
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 Insurance Appraisal? Property Claim Process Guide
Learn what insurance appraisal is, how the common panel process works, what the policy controls, and when an amount-of-loss dispute may fit appraisal.
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.