Guides / After the demand letter: follow-up, appraisal clause, small claims
After the demand letter: follow-up, appraisal clause, small claims
The escalation sequence, realistic timelines, and what to document along the way.
Send the demand letter with tracking and give a firm response deadline (14–30 days is typical). If nothing arrives, send a follow-up letter that names the date of the original demand and states your next steps. Adjusters triage; documented persistence moves claims up the pile.
If the insurer disputes the amount but not the claim, most policies contain an appraisal clause: each party appoints a competent appraiser, and the two attempt to agree on the amount of loss; disagreement goes to an umpire. Invoking it is a formal, written election — our appraisal-clause election letter provides the structure. Note that appraisal resolves the amount of loss, not questions of liability, and you typically bear your appraiser's fee.
Small-claims court is the final stop for most DIY claims, and it exists precisely for self-represented people. Limits vary by state (commonly $5,000–$15,000). Bring the paper trail: crash report, repair invoices, value evidence, comparables, and every letter you sent with proof of mailing. State your number and how you computed it. The Full Kit includes a preparation checklist for exactly this.
Documentation habits that win
- Log every call: date, name, reference number, what was said
- Never accept or reject an offer on the phone — get it in writing
- Keep the original demand letter and mailing receipt together
- Watch the statute-of-limitations countdown; file before it expires