Philip Weber
Trusted Umpire Services Helping Appraisers Finalize Awards.
I'm Certified by both IAUA & PLAN. I keep current on Property Insurance Appraisal laws and training. I am competent, climb on roofs as needed, inspect attics and crawlspaces when the appraisal calls for it. I am fluent is Xactimate and need no help understanding it. I am a licensed Producer/Broker in Colorado & Texas and a Licensed PA in Colorado. I have a construction background. I understand the policy. I provide disclosures and will never take on a role as umpire unless I am impartial and qualified.
CERTIFIED BY
My Beliefs and Aspirations as Umpire
I have and continue to be hired as an appraiser for both the carrier and the insured.
I have been able to agree to awards with other appraisers without the umpire's involvement regardless of the side that hired me.
I am not an umpire that looks to please the insured or the carrier and
Each side is important to me, and the facts are most important of all.
My goal as Umpire is to help the appraisers to work together.
I am NOT a Ruler or Judge, EVER.
I pride myself of being fair and transparent.
The umpire I admire the most is Retired Judge Christopher Cross & I model my process after his.
I am an open book and will disclose anything and everything that may be viewed as relative.
Clarity. Integrity. Ethics. Expertise. Fairness. Every Step of the Way.
All parties are treated equal.
Why Choose Philip Weber as Your Umpire?
✅Unbiased Ethical Decision Making
I act as a neutral third party, committed to helping the appraisers to resolve appraisal disputes by aligning with facts, experts, what is reasonable—not unsupported opinions.
✅Certified
I am certified by leading industry organizations like IAUA and PLAN, ensuring recognized standards and professionalism. Being a member of these organization means abiding by their rules and their ethics.
✅Familiarity with a Wide Variety of Claims
I have resolved or helped to resolve claims in the millions and claims as small as a few thousand and even zero. I have and continue to handle a wide range of property damage disputes—from Hail & Wind to Fire & Smoke to Flood & Accidental Discharge, and more.
✅Clear Communication
I explain each step of the process, and take into account both appraisers needs. I try to make sure the process is fair for both appraisers at all times. Everyone on the panel will be in agreement to the process and timetables.
✅Final Awards
I will not threaten or attempt to force my opinion on the appraisers. I do not allow ambushes, and I do not send out signed awards in an attempt to lure a signature.
✅ Invoice - Costs
On small residential where the differences are clear I set a flat fee based on the information provided, generally $1500 per side.
On Complex appraisals my rate is $250 per hour.
Why Choose Philip Weber as Your Umpire?
✅Unbiased Ethical Decision Making
I act as a neutral third party, committed to helping the appraisers to resolve appraisal disputes by aligning with facts, experts, what is reasonable—not unsupported opinions.
✅Certified
I am certified by leading industry organizations like IAUA and PLAN, ensuring recognized standards and professionalism. Being a member of these organization means abiding by their rules and their ethics.
✅Familiarity with a Wide Variety of Claims
I have resolved or helped to resolve claims in the millions and claims as small as a few thousand and even zero. I have and continue to handle a wide range of property damage disputes—from Hail & Wind to Fire & Smoke to Flood & Accidental Discharge, and more.
✅
Clear Communication
I explain each step of the process, and take into account both appraisers needs. I try to make sure the process is fair for both appraisers at all times. Everyone on the panel will be in agreement to the process and timetables.
✅
Final Awards
I will not threaten or attempt to force my opinion on the appraisers. I do not allow ambushes, and I do not send out signed awards in an attempt to lure a signature.
✅
Invoice - Costs
On small residential where the differences are clear I set a flat fee based on the information provided, generally $1500 per side.
On Complex appraisals my rate is $250 per hour.
What to Expect from My Umpire Process
I Help the Appraisers to get a Fair Award
in a Timely Manner
When an insurance appraisal dispute reaches a standstill between the two appointed appraisers, the umpire's role as a neutral party is to help the two appraisers resolve the issue.
My role is not to take sides, it's to carefully review all facts, documents, and expert opinions and attempt to orchestrate a three-signature award.
I do my best to ensure that the award is fair to both policyholders and insurance companies.
01
Setting the Ground Rules
Set the ground rules for engagement. Our first meeting is to discuss potential timetables for inspections, meetings, discussions that lead to a timely fair award.
I do not rule with a iron fist I work with the panel.
02
Setting Communication Expectations
The panel will conduct itself without name calling, bickering, insults, or other unprofessional behavior.
The expectation is that each appraiser will have the opportunity to present their position item by item and in fact both will have "two bites at the apple".
03
Work with the Appraisers to Set a Reasonable Timetable
Timely awards need reasonable timetables that all parties agree to and adhere to.
It's my experience that when the timetables are agreed to by all of the members of the appraisal panel they are kept and the appraisal award is produced within a reasonable schedule.
04
The Award
My goal is always a three signature award.
I realize that is not always possible. However it demonstrates the willingness to be fair to both appraisers and to work with both appraisers.
Frequently Asked Vetting Questions
I hope these questions and answers mirror your own vetting questions.
What is my fee?
For single family residential my fee is straight forward, $1500 per side retainer and a not to exceed $2,500.
Complex and commercial is invoiced at $250 per hour.
What is my Xactimate experience?
I am fluent wit Xactimate and unlike other umpires I do not need anyone to write it for me.
What Claim Experience have I had?
My claim experience runs the gamete with the exact number unknown, but probably in the thousands. I have adjusted large, medium, and small commercial, residential from single family & condo to multiple buildings, resorts, country clubs, farms, restaurants of all sizes, churches of all sizes, small HOA claims and large complex HOA claims with nested HOAs.
What about cause of loss?
In some states cause of loss is appraisable. In Colorado cause of loss is appraisable unless the policy prohibits it.
If cause of loss is appraisable and if it is a difference that I am called upon to help the appraisers resolve is cause, then I believe I am well equipped to do so.
I was trained to determine cause of loss, and I continue my training still. I have construction and restoration experience. I have taken smoke, fire and water restoration classes.
I have been in the industry a long time and early in my career the adjuster had to be good, very good at cause of loss. The adjuster could not leave an inspection until the cause of damage was determined for each damage identified whether it was attributed to the loss or not.
What is my process?
I do not act like a dictator. I see myself as a facilitator. I am there to help the appraisers resolve differences. I do not advocate for, "split the baby" awards. I believe the award must be fair to both parties and splitting the baby is not fair for either party.
When appraising, I have been able to agree to awards with the other appraiser regardless of whether I am hired by the insurance carrier or the insured. I think this signifies that I am fair.
I dop not send out blackmail awards or attempt to bate an appraiser into agreeing with me. I will not send out a signed award. I will work with both appraisers and when I do send out a potential award it is a draft, and it is expected that both appraisers will discuss it with me to dial it in.
How many times have I been an umpire?
Zero so far. I have been asked a few times though those were on the east coast. I was appointed once but had to decline due to my schedule and availability.
Unlike many in the appraisal industry I do not churn out appraisals in mass. In fact, I was hired less than a dozen times in 2024 and in 2023. Because I am not a volume appraiser, I do not make the connections in the appraisal industry and while I have had my umpire certification from PLAN since 2023, I have not advertised my services as an appraiser or an umpire until now.
I do appraise for insurance companies and insureds, and I believe that insurers hire my because they trust that I am fair.
I have a long history with insurance and with real estate and construction. I was an independent insurance adjuster for many years and worked for many carriers. I was often called upon for complex claims and to re-inspect after all other adjusters were sent home. While I hold a public adjuster's license in Colorado, I also hold a producer's license in Colorado and Texas and actively help insureds understand their risks and purchase the best possible insurance for their needs.
I believe that appraising for both the insured, representing both carriers and insureds with their claims, and insurer as well as selling insurance as an insurance broker gives me a perspective that requires me to be fair.
Can you call me and vet me on the phone?
Yes. Just click the link, "Request Vetting Meeting".
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