Umpire & Appraisal Services

Umpire & Appraisal Services
for Property Insurance
Disputes.

When a property insurance claim can't be settled, Tom most often steps in as a neutral umpire — the independent third party both sides rely on to bring the dispute to a close. He also serves as an independent appraiser for either side, bringing construction knowledge and professional judgment to every matter.

Request a Consultation How It Works
35+
Years in Construction
MN
Licensed Contractor
1,000+
Appraisal Matters Completed
What is the Insurance Appraisal Clause?

Most property insurance policies include an appraisal clause that gives either party the right to demand appraisal when they can't agree on the amount of a loss.

It's a contractual dispute resolution mechanism built directly into the policy — faster and less expensive than litigation, and the result is binding on both sides.

When invoked, each party selects an independent appraiser. Those appraisers select a neutral umpire. Together, they work toward a binding resolution — without attorneys, without courts, and without the time and expense of litigation.

IAUA Member P.L.A.N. Certified (CPLAU) Iowa Licensed MN Licensed Contractor

What Tom Does

How Tom Can Help

Tom serves as a neutral umpire when appraisers cannot reach agreement, and as an independent appraiser for either the insured or the insurer. In both roles, the goal is 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

Tom serves as appraiser for either the insured or the insurer — reviewing estimates, scopes (the detailed list of what needs to be repaired and how), and positions to develop an independent, well-documented damage assessment. He is 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. Tom assesses damage accurately and documents it thoroughly — roofing, siding, interiors, and everything in between.

Commercial & Multi-Building

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

Attorney & Litigation Support

Attorneys representing either the insured or the carrier regularly retain Tom as part of the appraisal process — whether as an appraiser to support their client's position or as a neutral umpire to bring the matter to resolution. Tom is experienced working alongside legal counsel on both sides of the table.

The Process

What to Expect Once the Appraisal Process Begins

1

Appraiser Selection

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

2

Umpire Selection

Before negotiations begin, the two appraisers jointly select a neutral umpire. If they cannot agree on one, either party may petition the court to appoint one.

3

Appraisers Negotiate

With an umpire in place, the two appraisers work toward agreement on the amount of loss. If they agree, that decision is binding and the umpire is never invoked. If they reach an impasse, the umpire is called upon to review both positions and make the final determination.

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.

Tom has served in every phase of this process — as an independent appraiser for either side, and as a neutral umpire at the center of the dispute. His 35+ years in construction, Xactimate fluency, and unwavering commitment to neutrality bring a level of expertise that goes beyond insurance theory and into real-world knowledge. He has also been court-appointed as umpire — a direct reflection of the confidence both the courts and the parties place in his judgment.

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
35+
Years Experience

About Tom

A Builder Who Knows Insurance

Tom Vesel started in construction — actually building things. That hands-on background became a real advantage when he moved into property insurance consulting, and it shows up in every matter he takes on. He serves as both a neutral umpire and an independent appraiser, and holds an active Minnesota contractor's license.

Based in Minnesota, Tom handles matters ranging from straightforward residential hail claims to complex multi-building commercial losses. Umpire work makes up the large majority of his practice — including cases where he has been court-appointed when parties could not agree on a mutual selection. He also serves as an independent appraiser for either the insured or the carrier.

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.

Download Full CV
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 Minnesota contractor's license — Tom understands construction costs and methods from the inside out

Why Tom Vesel Consulting

Experience, Neutrality, and a Builder's Eye

Umpire work is the core of Tom's practice, and the experience he brings to that role is what sets him apart. He also serves as a skilled independent appraiser — and in both roles, his construction background makes a real 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 umpire and as appraiser for either the insured or the carrier. In both roles, his reputation is built on neutrality, technical knowledge, and consistent professional judgment — trusted by insureds, carriers, contractors, and attorneys alike.

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

Tom works 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

Deeply rooted in the Midwest — familiar with the contractors, the storm patterns, the carriers, and the local market conditions that shape every claim. Current on appraisal law across multiple states and relevant case law throughout the region.

06

Clear Communication

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

07

Court-Appointed Umpire

When parties cannot agree on an umpire and the matter goes before a judge, Tom has been selected by the court to serve in that role. It is one of the highest expressions of trust in an umpire's neutrality and expertise — and a distinction few appraisers can claim.

Where Tom Works

Midwest-Based. National Travel Common.

Based in Duluth, MN. Most assignments are across the Midwest, with national travel taken on regularly.

Most assignments are Midwest-based, with the bulk of work concentrated across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois — but the work goes wherever it needs to go.

Regional Knowledge Runs Deep

Deeply rooted in the Midwest — familiar with the contractors, the carriers, the storm patterns, and the local market conditions that affect how claims are scoped and priced. That regional familiarity means he can cut through disputes faster and with more confidence than someone coming in cold.

While the majority of work is Midwest-based, travel anywhere in the country is available for umpire and appraiser assignments. Distance is not a barrier.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Midwest service area map

Get in Touch

Let's Talk About Your Situation

Reach out about any appraisal or umpire matter. Tom works with property owners, contractors, insurance carriers, and attorneys on both sides of the table. Reach out for a direct conversation about whether he can help and what that looks like.

Phone
218-590-4107
Based In
Duluth, Minnesota

Send a Message