Foundations
Property insurance concepts, the appraisal provision, and how policy language and state law differ.
The curriculum
A national core curriculum for insurance appraisal
A shared educational foundation for appraisers and umpires, developed with input from across the industry.
The national core curriculum is a shared set of learning objectives for insurance appraisal protocols and best practices. It is meant to equip appraisers and umpires with the knowledge, practical skills and professional judgment needed to help resolve disputed claims, while recognizing differences in policy language and state law.
The question at the heart of it
What should every insurance appraiser and umpire understand, and be able to do, before accepting an assignment?
Areas under discussion
The content will be shaped by contributors. These are the areas the initiative has identified so far, offered as a starting point for input rather than a finished outline:
Roles and responsibilities
What appraisers and umpires are each responsible for, from appointment to award.
Ethical conduct
Impartiality, conflicts of interest, disclosure and professional integrity.
Valuation and scope
Developing and testing a well-supported amount of loss.
Documentation
Records, evidence and awards that stand up to review.
Communication
Working with the other appraiser, the umpire and the parties professionally and clearly.
Working through disagreement
Moving from competing positions toward a well-supported resolution.
Professional judgment
Applying knowledge to real claims, including when to seek expert input.
How it will work with existing training
The curriculum is a common foundation, not a replacement for existing programs. Training providers keep their own courses, certifications and teaching styles; the curriculum gives them shared learning objectives to teach to, so a professional trained anywhere starts from the same core.
Help shape it
The curriculum is in development, and we want practitioners' input on what it must get right. Share your ideas or nominate a contributor.
Frequently asked questions
Will the curriculum replace existing appraisal courses?
No. It is a shared foundation of learning objectives. Training providers keep their own programs and teach to the common core in their own way.
Does the curriculum account for differences between states?
Yes. It is designed to recognize differences in policy language and state law while establishing common learning objectives for competent, ethical practice.