A general educational overview of valuation disagreements, proof of loss and the formal appraisal mechanism referenced by Ontario's automobile-insurance statutory conditions.
Many total-loss disagreements begin with questions about the insurer's valuation, vehicle information, comparable selection or adjustments. A vehicle owner may provide additional evidence or obtain an independent valuation without necessarily invoking the formal statutory appraisal process.
Ontario's statutory conditions state that section 128 applies where the insurer has received proof of loss, the parties disagree about specified repair issues or the amount payable, and a qualifying written appraisal request is made.
Section 128 provides that the insured and insurer each appoint an appraiser. Those appraisers appoint an umpire. The appraisers consider the matters in disagreement and may refer unresolved differences to the umpire.
The written finding of any two among the two appraisers and umpire determines the matters submitted through the statutory appraisal process.
Each party pays the appraiser it appoints and the parties share the expense of the appraisal and umpire equally, according to section 128.
Ontario's statutory conditions address payment timing after proof of loss and, where a statutory appraisal occurs, after the insurer receives the appraisers' determination. Application to a particular file should be confirmed from the current policy and law.
The insurer receives the insured's proof of loss.
The parties disagree on a matter described by the statutory condition.
A qualifying written request for appraisal is made.
Each party appoints its own appraiser.
The appraisers appoint an umpire.
A written finding agreed to by any two determines the submitted matters.
Legal information reviewed: July 26, 2026. Visitors should always confirm the current official wording.
These links are provided for general reference. The current policy, legislation and claim-specific facts should be reviewed before relying on the statutory appraisal process.
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