The Collins Center

Florida is embarking upon a new journey: The Collins Center as a means for resolving disputes via the appraisal mechanism in the insurance policy. Advertisement aside, I have elected to participate in this project. After two days of training, I can say it’s promising.

Appraisal in Florida is symptomatic of a system broken. More claims are resolved today via litigation and appraisal than ever before save in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. The question that must be asked is why? Why does the public (insured’s, adjusters and attorneys) see appraisal as a necessary evil to resolve disputes with their insurers? Quite simply there is no one on the insurance company side to negotiate with. No one who has authority to agree on loss and value. No one who is authorized to commit to coverage. No one who is able to share information at that vital early stage in the adjustment process. That lack of field adjuster authority creates an attitude of mistrust amongst all involved.

The truth is that the insurance company does not trust the decision making capacity of those it hires for the adjustment of the claim to make the right decision. That lack of trust is then veiled behind secrecy and obfuscation with the intended result: delay of payment and frustration on the part of those who are in dire need of the bargain of the contract.

From the ashes of destruction rises the Phoenix. The Collins Center is a non partisan organization with its hands in many projects. It has undertaken to provide a bit of sanity in the appraisal process by taking out of the loop a key component: selection of the umpire. Parties agreeing to utilize the Collins Center will have an umpire appointed by the center on a rotational basis. This rotational appointment hopefully will result in a perceived absence of bias with the umpire. Time will tell how well this system will work. In the interim, I am willing to give the process a chance.

Not all public adjusters support this program, but lets face it the system is broken and anyone bringing sanity into the process is welcome in my opinion.