Why We Need a Mandatory Right to Appraisal
The guardrail carriers keep trying to remove.
When a carrier's settlement offer falls short — and we rarely see one that doesn’t — the appraisal clause is how insureds get made whole. After years of losing appraisal disputes, carriers began restricting or removing the clause entirely. It is our position that the right to appraisal should be a mandatory contractual right in every policy.
+28%
ACS total loss settlements vs. carrier offers, on average
−44%
client out-of-pocket costs in repair procedure disputes
SB 458
mandatory binding appraisal — Texas law since Sept 1, 2025
The Spirit of the Appraisal Clause
Fair, fast, and out of the carrier’s hands
Invoking appraisal removes inexperienced and biased carrier appraisers from the process. Loss disputes get resolved quickly, economically, and equitably by unbiased, experienced independent appraisers — instead of through the excessively costly and time-consuming paths of mediation, arbitration, or litigation.
That’s exactly why carriers want it gone. One carrier already succeeded in eliminating its insureds’ right to invoke appraisal for repair claims — a dangerous precedent others are attempting to follow. Any limiting of the right to appraisal in repair disputes is, in our view, the nail in the coffin for safe roadways for us all.
87th & 88th Sessions
Building the case
ACS played an active role in the Right to Appraisal bills sponsored by Representative Clardy and Senator Hughes — testifying, publishing data, and educating lawmakers.
The evidence
The numbers carriers can't explain
ACS total loss settlements average 28% above carriers' offers, and we've cut clients' out-of-pocket costs in repair disputes by over 44%. Under-indemnification is rampant — and measurable.
September 1, 2025
SB 458 becomes law
Texas now requires a mandatory, binding appraisal clause in every personal auto policy. A landmark win — but the rulemaking and the fight to protect it continue.
Now
Defending the win
TDI rulemaking, court challenges, and carrier pushback continue. Every document is public in our rules library — and the effort still needs support.
One Consumer’s Example
Joe Collins beat State Farm for $248,517 — then donated every penny to this fight.
A Rusk County jury found the carrier had knowingly engaged in unfair and deceptive practices. Collins gave the entire verdict to the effort for mandatory appraisal rights — because, in his words, it was never about the money.
Read Joe’s full story →The carriers have bottomless resources. We have each other.
Gaining access and attention at the State Capitol costs money. But we, the insureds, are many — and if we join forces, we can secure our right, and our children’s right, to contest settlement offers that underpay losses and cut corners on repairs.
Donate on GoFundMe ↗Texas Mandatory Contractual Right to Appraisal for All
Free Claim Review
Have a claim dispute of your own?
The appraisal rights we're fighting to protect are already in your policy. Tell us about your claim — the review is free.
800-736-6816Toll-free, nationwide
Start your free claim review
No cost. No obligation. 24-hour response.