The Maryland Appraisal Clause Playbook
In Maryland, the appraisal clause is the one mechanism that forces a carrier off its first ACV number without filing suit. Most standard Maryland auto policies include a binding appraisal clause — check the Loss Settlement or Conditions section of your policy. The governing authority is COMAR 31.15.07 (Unfair Claims Settlement Practices).; the resulting award is binding on ACV but does not decide coverage or fault. Maryland policyholders in metros like Baltimore use the clause routinely because the local dealer comp market is dense enough to defend a number against any desk-based valuation.
Where to send the demand
Send the written demand by certified mail with return receipt to the claims address on your declarations page. Cc the adjuster by email so there is a same-day timestamp. In Maryland, keep a parallel copy ready for the Department of Insurance (1-800-492-6116); you do not file it on day one, but having it ready accelerates the carrier's response under COMAR 31.15.07 (Unfair Claims Settlement Practices)..
Umpire selection in Maryland
If the two appraisers cannot agree on ACV, they jointly select a neutral umpire — usually a senior independent appraiser, a retired adjuster, or a licensed dealer. In Maryland, most umpires are selected by mutual agreement within 7–14 days; if not, either side can petition a Maryland court of competent jurisdiction to appoint one. The Baltimore regional pool of qualified umpires is deep, which keeps fees competitive.
Timeline expectations
Most Maryland files run 46 days end-to-end: 1–3 days for the carrier to acknowledge, 7–10 days to name their appraiser, 5–10 days for both appraisers to exchange numbers, 5–14 days for either an agreement or umpire selection, and a settlement check within 30 days of the signed award. Baltimore-area files trend a few days faster because most independent appraisers are local.
Who pays what
You pay your own appraiser. The carrier pays its appraiser. The umpire's fee — typically $400–$900 for a single-vehicle ACV decision in Maryland — is split 50/50. Independent appraiser fees range $300–$600. Auto ACV's $1,000 minimum recovery guarantee means if we cannot beat the carrier's offer by at least $1,000, you owe us nothing.
Three tactics that move Maryland carriers fastest
- Request a copy of the actual comparable vehicle window stickers cited in the valuation, not just the line items. Most reports cite trims and options that the comps do not actually have.
- Document the request: send the demand by certified mail, retain the green card, and email a PDF copy to the adjuster the same day. Carriers regularly claim verbal invocations never happened.
- Pull your own comp set before the demand goes out. Knowing local dealer asking prices means you can immediately push back on the carrier's first appraiser position.
Three pitfalls that void or weaken the clause in Maryland
- Failing to ask for the comp window stickers. Reports cite trims; comps frequently do not match.
- Missing the policy's appraisal-demand deadline. Most carriers do not impose one, but a few do — read the policy form before you wait.
- Walking away because the adjuster says "that's not how we do it." Adjusters say that on roughly half of all first invocations; the policy still controls.
Maryland appraisal-clause demand letter (copy-ready)
Replace bracketed fields with your claim details. Send certified mail with return receipt to the claims address on your declarations page. Cites COMAR 31.15.07 (Unfair Claims Settlement Practices)..
[Date]
[Carrier name]
[Claims address from your declarations page]
Re: Claim No. [your claim number]
Policy No. [your policy number]
Insured: [your name]
Loss date: [date]
Loss location: Baltimore, MD
Governing authority: COMAR 31.15.07 (Unfair Claims Settlement Practices).
Regulator: Maryland Department of Insurance (1-800-492-6116)
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the appraisal provision of the auto policy referenced above,
and consistent with COMAR 31.15.07 (Unfair Claims Settlement Practices)., I am hereby invoking the appraisal
clause to determine the actual cash value of my totaled vehicle. Most standard Maryland auto policies include a binding appraisal clause — check the Loss Settlement or Conditions section of your policy.
I have appointed [appraiser name, license, contact] as my appraiser.
Please identify your appraiser within ten (10) business days of receipt
of this letter so that the appraisal may proceed. If the two appraisers
cannot agree, they shall jointly select a competent and disinterested
umpire as the policy provides.
Per Maryland practice, the resulting ACV shall include the statutory
sales tax and title/registration fees that form part of actual cash value
in this state (Insurers must include the 6% vehicle excise tax and title fees in the settlement.). Salvage retention, if elected, is
governed by Damage at 75% or more of ACV requires a salvage title in Maryland.
This letter is sent by certified mail with return receipt requested. All
further communications regarding ACV should be in writing. A copy of this
letter will be retained for the Maryland DOI file at 1-800-492-6116
if the carrier does not acknowledge within ten business days.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Address, phone, email]This template is a starting point, not legal advice. We'll send a tailored demand on your behalf as part of every Auto ACV engagement in Maryland.