What is a Property Insurance Appraiser?

A property insurance appraiser is a competent and impartial professional who evaluates claims and value of the property or amount of a property loss. Each party (insurance company and policyholder) selects their own impartial appraiser when the insurance appraisal clause is invoked.

What is the WIND Certified Appraiser Program?

The WIND Certified Appraiser Program® was introduced in 2012 to enhance the professionalism and ethics of property insurance appraisers. Each year, hundreds of property insurance claims professionals complete the four-hour WIND Certified Appraiser® program taught annually at the Windstorm Insurance Conference.

Upon completion of the program, professionals further their credentials by successfully meeting the guidelines and criteria to become a WIND Certified Appraiser®.

The program, which includes the WIND Certified Appraiser workshop and the WIND Certified Appraiser Recertification workshop, is a valuable educational resource for those wanting to further their understanding of the property insurance appraisal process.

About the WIND Appraiser Certification Classes

The WIND Certified Appraiser workshop prepares a professional to act as an appraiser in the appraisal process. The first part of the session covers ethics and the mechanics of the appraisal process. Topics range from how to choose an umpire to how to bring the appraisal to a successful conclusion by either agreeing with the other appraiser or presenting your position at the umpire meeting. The final segment discusses the ramifications of the statutes and case law in the various states and how it impacts the appraisal process.

The WIND Certified Appraiser Recertification workshop is designed to provide an interactive learning experience. Real-life scenarios are be utilized to promote discussion of the duties and responsibilities of the appraiser. Common issues and problems that often arise during an appraisal are addressed, as well as effective methods and techniques to facilitate an appraisal from beginning to conclusion. The class also includes a discussion of ethical considerations and changes in case law impacting the appraisal process.

Both workshops provide the necessary certification to anyone who wishes to be included in the WIND Certified Appraiser Directory®, or those wanting to further enhance their professional appraiser credentials. The classes focus on ethics and professionalism, process, case law, and the “how to” of acting as a property insurance appraiser. WIND Certified Appraisers must renew their certification every three years by completing the recertification class.

WIND Certified Appraiser

Requirements to become a WIND Certified Appraiser include:

  • Attendance at the two-part WIND Certified Appraiser workshop, offered at the annual WIND conference
  • Submission of a background check
  • Current WIND membership
  • Agree to and abide by the Ethical Rules for Appraisers in Insurance Appraisals
  • Pay the application/renewal fee of $250

WIND Certified Appraisers must renew their certification every three years by completing the recertification class.

Once these qualifications are met and completed, you will be listed in the WIND Certified Appraiser Directory, and receive a WIND Certified Appraiser certificate and logo to use in your marketing materials.

WIND Professional Appraiser Certification

You may apply to be in the WIND Designation Program as a WIND Professional Appraiser when you have satisfied the following requirements:

  • Must submit a list of 50 claims in which you served as an appraiser to include the date, city, and state of the appraisal. The list must also include the party which you were appointed by and the amount of the appraisal award. To protect confidentiality, we are not asking for any party names. This information is solely for the use of WIND to verify the experience of the appraiser. Click here to download the template to be used to submit the list of claims.
  • Must have five (5) years of insurance experience – at least 50% of work related to insurance (i.e. legal, adjusting, contracting, appraisal etc.)
  • Must submit CV/Resume and 2 letters of reference regarding your appraisal experience from WIND certified appraisers/umpires.
  • Must maintain and be in good standing in any state in which you are professionally licensed. Must not have had any formal disciplinary action against any professional license at any time.
  • Must maintain and be in good standing as a WIND member.
  • Must have completed both the WIND Appraiser Certification and Re-Certification workshops.
  • Must have attended and received continuing education credits from at least three WIND annual conferences [Helpful hint: Login to your Florida DFS profile and check your transcript for a complete CE history]
  • Subscribe to the WIND Professional Designation Code of Ethics and the WIND Appraiser Code of Ethics.
  • Pay the Certified Appraiser application/renewal fee of $250 and a Professional Appraiser application fee of $75. Both are renewable every three years.

Once these qualifications are met and completed, you will be listed in the WIND Certified Appraiser Directory, designated as a Professional, and receive a WIND  Professional Appraiser certificate and logo to use in your marketing materials.

Click here to apply for the WIND Professional Appraiser Designation.

WIND Fellow Appraiser Certification

You may apply to be in the WIND Designation Program as a WIND Fellow Appraiser when you have satisfied the following requirements:

  • Must submit a list of 100 claims in which you served as an appraiser to include the date, city, and state of the appraisal. The list must also include the party which you were appointed by and the amount of the appraisal award. To protect confidentiality, we are not asking for any party names. This information is solely for the use of WIND to verify the experience of the appraiser. Click here to download the template to be used to submit the list of claims.
  • Must have ten (10) years of insurance experience – at least 50% of work related to insurance (i.e. legal, adjusting, contracting, appraisal etc.)
  • Must submit CV/Resume and 2 letters of reference regarding your appraisal experience from WIND certified appraisers/umpires.
  • Must maintain and be in good standing in any state in which you are professionally licensed. Must not have had any formal disciplinary action against any professional license at any time.
  • Must maintain and be in good standing as a WIND member.
  • Must have completed both the WIND Appraiser Certification and Re-Certification workshops.
  • Must have attended and received continuing education credits from at least three WIND annual conferences [Helpful hint: Login to your Florida DFS profile and check your transcript for a complete CE history]
  • Subscribe to the WIND Professional Designation Code of Ethics and the WIND Appraiser Code of Ethics.
  • Pay the Certified Appraiser application/renewal fee of $250 and a Professional Appraiser application fee of $125. Both are renewable every three years.

Once these qualifications are met and completed, you will be listed in the WIND Certified Appraiser Directory, designated as a Fellow, and receive a WIND  Professional Appraiser certificate and logo to use in your marketing materials.

Click here to apply for the WIND Fellow Appraiser Designation.

Become a WIND Certified Appraiser!

WIND Certified Appraiser Program classes are offered at our annual conference, held in January every year. Be sure to sign up early for this class because the classes fill up quickly.

Certification Requirements

  • Payment of a $250 application fee (for a three-year certification)

  • Maintain current WIND membership

  • Complete a security/background check from one of the following: FDLE (Florida residents only), GoodHire, or ClearChecks.

Upon completion of taking the four-hour WIND Certified Appraiser class, registrants will have the opportunity to continue to the next steps and be listed on the WIND Certified Appraiser directory.

WIND Certified Appraiser Directory

Find a WIND Certified Appraiser through the directory. Search for an appraiser by company, city and/or state.

Certified Appraiser Ethical Rules

WIND Certified Appraisers agree to abide by the Windstorm Insurance Network Ethical Rules for Appraisers.

Questions about WIND Certified Appraisers?

We’re here to help! Please contact us at 804-905-WIND (9463) or email admin@windnetwork.com.