How to use the estimator
- Enter the carrier’s replacement cost total, the figure before depreciation and deductible.
- Enter your estimate from a contractor or independent estimator, also at replacement cost.
- Move the slider to test a likely outcome. The table underneath always shows 30%, 55% and 80% so you see a range, not one answer.
- Add fees using your appraiser’s quoted arrangement and a realistic umpire fee.
Reading the three-outcome table
Awards rarely match either side’s opening number. Well-documented line items tend to hold; inflated or unsupported ones tend to fall. If appraisal only pays at 80%, the case is fragile. If it still nets something at 30%, it’s more likely to be worth the effort.
What the estimator leaves out
It doesn’t model depreciation timing, policy limits, sub-limits or deductibles. Those change what you’re paid, not the size of the dispute. For holdback math use the ACV vs. RCV holdback calculator, and for coastal policies check the hurricane deductible calculator.
Questions about this calculator
Is a projected award a guarantee?
No. It’s a planning scenario. Real awards depend on documentation, the panel and the policy wording.
What’s a typical umpire fee?
It varies with the size and complexity of the claim. Ask for a quote once an umpire is proposed; the cost is usually split evenly between the two sides.
Should I use a flat fee or a percentage?
Use whatever your appraiser actually quoted. Try both settings to see how each arrangement changes your net.