Independent Appraisal & Umpire Services

When You Can't Resolve
an Insurance Loss,
Appraisal May Be the Answer.

When a property insurance claim can't be settled, appraisal may offer a fair, structured path to resolution — without going to court.

Request a Consultation How It Works
30+
Years in Construction
MN & WI
Licensed Contractor
1,000+
Appraisal Matters
How the Appraisal Process Works
1

Appraiser Selection

Each side selects a qualified, independent appraiser to assess the damage.

2

Appraiser Agreement

If the two appraisers agree on the loss amount, their decision becomes binding.

3

Umpire Involvement

If the appraisers disagree, they appoint a neutral umpire to make the final decision.

4

Final Decision

The agreement of any two of the three — appraisers or umpire — sets the binding loss amount.

IAUA Member P.L.A.N. Certified (CPLAU) MN Licensed Contractor HAAG Senior Building Consultant

What We Do

Independent Appraisal for the Full Scope of Loss

We handle residential and commercial property claims of all sizes. Our goal is always the same: a fair, accurate, and defensible determination of the amount of loss.

Insurance Umpire

When the two appraisers can't agree, they jointly select a neutral umpire to issue a binding award. Tom is regularly selected by appraisal panels to serve in that role. His construction background gives him the depth to evaluate scope disputes, not just dollar differences.

Insurance Appraiser

We serve as appraiser for either the insured or the insurer — reviewing estimates, scopes, and positions to develop an independent, well-documented damage assessment. We are also regularly retained by attorneys representing either side in the appraisal process.

Residential Claims

Hail, wind, fire, and water damage to residential properties of any size. We assess damage accurately and document it thoroughly — roofing, siding, interiors, and everything in between.

Commercial & Multi-Building

Retail centers, apartment complexes, warehouses, churches, and farm properties with multiple structures. We have experience handling large commercial appraisals where the scope is complex and the stakes are high.

The Process

What to Expect When You Engage Tom Vesel Consulting

1

Appraiser Selection

Each party — the insured and the insurer — selects their own qualified, independent appraiser to assess the damage.

2

Appraiser Agreement

The two appraisers communicate and work to reach agreement on the amount of loss. If they agree, that decision is binding.

3

Umpire Selection

If the appraisers cannot agree, they jointly select a neutral umpire. If they can't agree on an umpire, either party may petition the court to appoint one.

4

Final Decision

The agreement of any two of the three — either appraiser with the umpire — sets the binding loss amount and closes the dispute.

Why Appraisal Beats Litigation

The appraisal clause is a faster, less expensive alternative to litigation. When both sides have qualified representation, the process moves efficiently and produces a defensible, binding result.

  • No attorneys required — the process is built for professionals, not courtrooms
  • Faster resolution than litigation — typically weeks, not years
  • Results are binding and final, avoiding drawn-out disputes
  • Costs far less than legal proceedings for both parties
  • A neutral umpire brings closure when appraisers are far apart
Tom Vesel - Insurance Appraisal and Umpire Services
30+
Years Experience

About Tom

A Builder Who Knows Insurance

Tom Vesel started in construction — actually building things. That background became a real advantage when he moved into property insurance consulting, and it still shows up in every appraisal matter he takes on. He holds an active Minnesota contractor's license.

Based in Duluth, Tom handles matters ranging from straightforward residential hail claims to complex multi-building commercial losses. He holds more umpire appointments than appraiser positions — a reflection of the trust both sides place in his judgment.

Tom works with HAAG Corporation as a Senior Building Consultant and is an active member of the Insurance Appraisal and Umpire Association (IAUA). He holds the P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Appraiser & Umpire (CPLAU) designation and is state-licensed as an umpire and appraiser in Iowa.

Senior Building Consultant — HAAG Corporation
Works with HAAG Corporation as a Senior Building Consultant, focused on complex property damage assessment and forensic building analysis
IAUA Member — Insurance Appraisal and Umpire Association
Ongoing education and professional standards in appraisal practice and umpire proceedings
P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Appraiser & Umpire (CPLAU)
Certified through the Property Loss Appraisal Network — covering appraisal ethics, process, scope, and umpire authority. Listed in the P.L.A.N. Appraiser & Umpire Registry.
Licensed Minnesota Contractor
Active license — Tom understands construction costs and methods from the inside out

Why Tom Vesel Consulting

Experience, Neutrality, and a Builder's Eye

We've actually built things. That hands-on background makes a difference when a dispute comes down to scope — not just dollars.

01

Construction Background

Tom worked as a general contractor before moving into insurance appraisal. He's pulled permits, managed builds, and been on job sites — which means scope disputes get evaluated from real construction knowledge.

02

Trusted by Both Sides

Tom serves as appraiser for insureds, carriers, and their attorneys — and holds more umpire appointments than appraiser positions. Both sides of the table trust his neutrality and judgment.

03

HAAG-Affiliated Expertise

Tom works as a Senior Building Consultant with HAAG Corporation. That forensic rigor carries directly into appraisal work — functional damage, hail analysis, and thorough field documentation.

04

Xactimate Fluency

We work in Xactimate and can evaluate a carrier's estimate and a contractor's estimate side by side, line by line, to identify exactly where the gap comes from.

05

Regional Knowledge

Based in Duluth, we know the Midwest — the contractors, the storm patterns, the carriers. Fluent in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa appraisal law and current on relevant case law.

06

Clear Communication

We keep the process moving. Both sides know where things stand, the work is documented, and nobody is left wondering what comes next.

Where We Work

Serving the Midwest and Beyond

Based in Duluth, Minnesota, we regularly handle matters throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa — and we will travel anywhere nationally for the right engagement.

MNMinnesota
WIWisconsin
ILIllinois
IAIowa — Licensed

Primary Service Area

The majority of our appraisal and umpire work is concentrated in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa, where we have deep familiarity with local market conditions, material pricing, storm history, and the carriers and contractors who operate in the region.

We will travel anywhere in the country for commercial or significant residential matters. If you have a claim outside our primary area, reach out — it's worth a conversation.

Common Questions

What People Usually Want to Know

Insurance appraisal can feel unfamiliar if you haven't been through it before. Here are some of the most common questions Tom gets from property owners, contractors, and insurers alike.

Get in Touch

Let's Talk About Your Situation

Reach out about any appraisal or umpire matter. We work with property owners, contractors, insurance carriers, and attorneys on both sides of the table. We'll have a direct conversation about whether we can help and what that looks like.

Phone
218-590-4107
Based In
Duluth, Minnesota

Send a Message