Insurance Appraiser in Bloomington, MN

A postwar suburb with aging roofs

Bloomington boomed after the Second World War, and most of the east side and much of the west side were built between the early 1950s and the 1970s. Single-story ramblers and split-levels with attached garages make up the bulk of the city’s housing. Many have finished lower levels, low-slope additions and roofs that have been replaced more than once. Around Normandale Lake and Hyland Hills, larger lots carry bigger two-stories built in later decades.

The east end of the city looks different. The South Loop district around the Mall of America, along with the Penn-American area near I-494, holds hotels, offices, retail and newer apartment buildings, all with their own commercial insurance programs.

Storm exposure in the south metro

Bloomington shares the metro’s hail exposure, and the city sits close to past tornado paths: on June 14, 1981, a tornado touched down in neighboring Edina and tracked northeast through south Minneapolis. Today the claims that come through most often are hail and wind damage to roofs, siding, gutters and garage doors, followed by ice dams in winter and water losses in finished basements.

Common sticking points

• Roof slopes, waste and ventilation measured incorrectly from aerial images.
• Repair-only estimates on brittle older shingles that can’t be repaired without more damage.
• Siding replacement limited to one elevation when the product no longer matches.
• Commercial roof losses where depreciation and code costs are disputed.

Disagreements like these are about the amount of the loss, which is what the appraisal clause is designed to settle.

What to gather before calling an appraiser

A little preparation makes the first review much faster. Pull together the complete policy, including the declarations page and every endorsement, since sewer backup, ordinance or law and roof payment schedules all live in endorsements. Add the insurer’s estimate and any letters explaining what was paid or denied. If you’ve had a contractor out, include their written scope and photos. Note the age of the roof and siding, and any prior claims on the property.

For a rambler, it also helps to know whether the roof has one layer or two, whether the attic has been reinsulated and whether gutters and downspouts were replaced with the last roof. Those details affect the price of a replacement and are often missing from a first estimate. On commercial property, gather the building’s roof warranty, maintenance records and any engineering reports. With that in hand, we can usually tell you quickly whether the difference between your number and the insurer’s is worth pursuing through appraisal.

Residential and commercial help

Minnesota Insurance Appraiser inspects Bloomington homes and businesses on site, writes a detailed estimate and represents you as your appraiser. For roof disputes, see our hail and roof appraisal page. Property managers, associations and business owners near the South Loop can start with commercial and HOA appraisal. Insurers in Minnesota are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, which is also where you can file a complaint if you believe a claim is being mishandled.

Ready for a second opinion? Get in touch.

Appraisal solutions available in Bloomington

Every Minnesota Insurance Appraiser solution is available to property owners in Bloomington and the surrounding communities, including:

• Appraisal Clause Representation
• Homeowner Claim Appraisal
• Commercial, Townhome & HOA Claims
• Roof & Hail Damage Appraisal
• Tornado, Derecho & Straight-Line Wind
• Water & Burst-Pipe Claims

Questions from Bloomington property owners

Nearby service areas