When is it necessary to hire an expert for an insurance claim?

Suffering a loss is already stressful. But it gets worse when your insurer downplays the damage, offers a low settlement, or outright rejects your claim. In these situations, hiring an independent expert can make the difference between losing money or successfully recovering what you're entitled to.

In this article, we explain what an insurance expert does, when it’s necessary to hire one, and how the expert assessment process works so you can make informed decisions.

What Is an Insurance Expert and What Is Their Role?

An insurance expert is a professional specialized in assessing damages resulting from a loss (home, car, business, etc.). Their role is to analyze the causes, estimate the repair costs, and write a report that forms the basis for compensation.

There are two types:

Insurance company expert: appointed by your insurer to assess the claim

Policyholder’s expert: hired by you if you disagree with the insurer’s assessment

📌 Important: The expert’s report heavily influences the insurer’s final decision. If it’s incomplete or biased, you may receive far less than you deserve.

When Does the Expert Get Involved?

From the moment you report a claim, the insurer may send their expert to inspect the damage. This is common in cases of:

Water, fire, or storm damage

Theft involving valuable items

Business losses or flooding

Car accidents with material or bodily damage

Their report determines whether there is compensation, and for how much.

When Should You Hire Your Own Expert?

The insurer’s expert may undervalue the damage or interpret events in a way that works against you. If you disagree with their findings, you can — and should — bring in your own independent expert.

Typical situations where this is recommended:

1. The compensation is too lowIf the settlement doesn’t cover real repair or replacement costs, your expert can justify a higher amount.

2. The damage is underestimated

Some affected items may be overlooked — like appliances, furniture, or hidden structural elements.

3. The origin of the damage is disputedThe insurer might blame the loss on poor maintenance or uncovered causes. An independent expert can provide a different view.

4. The case is complex or high-value

If many assets are involved or business activity is halted, a detailed technical report can make all the difference.

What Is the Contradictory Expert Procedure?

The Insurance Contract Law provides a legal mechanism known as the contradictory expert appraisal to resolve disagreements between both parties’ experts.

How it works:

The policyholder appoints an expert.

The insurer appoints theirs (if they haven’t already).

Both experts try to reach an agreement.

If no agreement is reached, a third impartial expert is appointed (by mutual agreement or court).

Their decision is binding for both parties.

This legal process applies to all types of insurance: home, auto, business, etc.

Benefits of Hiring an Independent Expert

More thorough than the insurer’s report

Fair and objective valuation

Focused on defending your interests

More evidence in case of disputes

Stronger position in legal proceedings

Tips to Make the Expert Process Work for You

Document the damage before the expert arrives (photos, videos, receipts)

Be present during the visit and explain the incident

Provide all estimates or technical reports

Request a copy of their report

If you disagree, act quickly: you have the right to a counter-expert

Conclusion

The expert assessment is one of the most critical steps in any insurance claim. If you feel the evaluation is unfair or the compensation is insufficient, hiring an independent expert may be your best option.

At MataSeguros, we help you defend your rights and obtain the fair compensation you deserve.

📩 Contact us today and let our professional team fight for you.