HB992 • 2026

Property insurance; authorize appraisal panel to determine value of property and amount of loss, including issues of causation.

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PROPERTY INSURANCE POLICY ISSUED OR DELIVERED IN THE STATE SHALL INCLUDE AN APPRAISAL PROVISION, WHICH CAN BE INVOKED BY EITHER PARTY PROVIDED COVERAGE HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED FOR ANY ASPECT OF A LOSS, OR A COVERED PERIL WAS INVOLVED IN CAUSING ANY ASPECT OF THE LOSS; TO PROVIDE THE APPRAISAL PROVISION TO BE INCLUDED; TO PROVIDE THAT THE APPRAISAL PANEL SHALL HAVE THE EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY AND THE AMOUNT OF THE LOSS, INCLUDING ISSUES OF CAUSATION, THE COST OF REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, THE METHOD OF REPAIR, THE SCOPE OF REPAIR, THE SCOPE OF DAMAGE AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE APPLICABLE BUILDING CODES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Ladner
Last action: 2026-02-03
Official status: Dead
Effective date: July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Property Insurance Appraisal Panel Act

This bill requires property insurance policies to include an appraisal provision that allows either the insurer or policyholder to request a panel of experts to determine disputed values and losses, including issues like repair costs and building code requirements.

What This Bill Does

Requires all property insurance policies in the state to have an appraisal provision.
Allows either party (insurer or policyholder) to demand an appraisal if they disagree on the amount of loss or property value.
Establishes a panel consisting of two appraisers and one umpire chosen by the appraisers to determine the value and loss amount.
Gives the appraisal panel authority over issues like repair costs, methods, scope, damage extent, and building code requirements.

Who It Names or Affects

Insurance companies issuing or delivering property insurance policies in the state.
Policyholders of property insurance policies in the state.

Terms To Know

Appraisal provision: A part of an insurance policy that allows for a panel to determine disputed values and losses.
Umpire: An impartial third party chosen by the two appraisers to help resolve disputes.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass in its session.
It does not specify how disagreements over coverage or liability are handled, only that they remain for courts to decide.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (H) Died In Committee
2026-01-16 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/16 (H) Referred To Insurance;Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

Official Summary Text

Property insurance; authorize appraisal panel to determine value of property and amount of loss, including issues of causation.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 992 *HR26/R579* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR26/R579
PAGE 1 (ENK\KW)

To: Insurance;
Accountability, Efficiency,
Transparency
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Ladner

HOUSE BILL NO. 992

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PROPERTY INSURANCE POLICY ISSUED 1
OR DELIVERED IN THE STATE SHALL INCLUDE AN APPRAISAL PROVISION, 2
WHICH CAN BE INVOKED BY EITHER PARTY PROVIDED COVERAGE HAS BEEN 3
ACKNOWLEDGED FOR ANY ASPECT OF A LOSS, OR A COVERED PERIL WAS 4
INVOLVED IN CAUSING ANY ASPECT OF THE LOSS; TO PROVIDE THE 5
APPRAISAL PROVISION TO BE INCLUDED; TO PROVIDE THAT THE APPRAISAL 6
PANEL SHALL HAVE THE EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE THE VALUE OF 7
THE PROPERTY AND THE AMOUNT OF THE LOSS, INCLUDING ISSUES OF 8
CAUSATION, THE COST OF REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, THE METHOD OF 9
REPAIR, THE SCOPE OF REPAIR, THE SCOPE OF DAMAGE AND THE 10
REQUIREMENTS OF THE APPLICABLE BUILDING CODES; AND FOR RELATED 11
PURPOSES. 12
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 13
SECTION 1. (1) Any property insurance policy issued or 14
delivered in the state shall include the following appraisal 15
provision, which can be invoked by either party provided coverage 16
has been acknowledged for any aspect of a loss, or a covered peril 17
was involved in causing any aspect of the loss: 18
"If we (as the insurer) and you (as the policyholder) 19
disagree on the amount of loss or the value of the property, 20
either of us may make a written demand for an appraisal of the 21
loss. Upon such demand, each party shall select a competent 22
appraiser. The two (2) selected appraisers shall then select an 23
H. B. No. 992 *HR26/R579* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR26/R579
PAGE 2 (ENK\KW)
ST: Property insurance; authorize appraisal
panel to determine value of property and amount
of loss, including issues of causation.
umpire. If the appraisers cannot agree, either party may request 24
that the selection of an umpire be made by a judge of a court 25
having competent jurisdiction. The appraisers shall separately 26
determine the value of the property and the amount of the loss. 27
If the appraisers fail to agree, each appraiser shall submit his 28
or her determination to the umpire. A decision agreed to by any 29
two (2) members of the appraisal panel shall be binding." 30
(2) The appraisal panel shall have the exclusive authority 31
to determine the value of the property and the amount of the loss, 32
including issues of causation, the cost of repair or replacement, 33
the method of repair, the scope of repair, the scope of damage and 34
the requirements of the applicable building codes. 35
Notwithstanding the foregoing, all matters of coverage and 36
liability are reserved for the courts; however, the existence of 37
coverage or liability issues shall not preclude an appraisal from 38
proceeding. 39
(3) The Commissioner of Insurance shall promulgate any rules 40
and regulations as necessary to implement the provisions of this 41
section. 42
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 43
and after July 1, 2026. 44