If appraisers fail to agree on an umpire within the specified period, whom will the court appoint to act as umpire?

• A. A licensed adjuster
• B. A competent and disinterested person
• C. The insured's attorney
• D. The insurer's appraiser

Answer: (B)

In the appraisal process, when the insurer and insured can’t agree on the amount of loss, an umpire is needed to break the deadlock. If they can’t agree on who should serve within the time limit, the court will appoint an umpire who is a competent and disinterested person. This means the umpire is neutral and has the necessary expertise but has no financial stake in the claim or bias toward either side. The goal is to ensure a fair, impartial decision on the amount of loss. Options like a licensed adjuster, the insured’s attorney, or the insurer’s appraiser wouldn’t meet the disinterested requirement, so they aren’t appropriate as umpire.