Texas Supreme Court Orders Insurer to Participate in Appraisal

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Supreme Court has ordered a home insurer to participate in an appraisal of roof damage attributed to a hailstorm, rejecting the carrier's argument that the dispute is over causation issues rather than damages. State Farm Lloyds v. Johnson, No. 06-1071 (Texas Sup. Ct.).

In a July 3 opinion, the high court affirmed a ruling by the Fifth District Court of Appeals and agreed with homeowner Becky Ann Johnson that State Farm Lloyds must engage in the appraisal process stipulated in Johnson's homeowner's policy.

Johnson sought an appraisal under the terms of the policy after her …