Iowa Bill Limiting Scope Of Home Insurance Appraisals In Limbo

It’s not clear whether Iowa lawmakers will advance a bill that critics said will make it harder for homeowners to successfully make insurance claims for damage caused by natural disasters like the tornadoes that swept through the state on Saturday.

The bill would limit the appraisal process used in disputed claims to only determining the cost of the damage to the home.

Appraisers would no longer be able to determine what caused the damage.

Critics said that would force more Iowans to go to court to have their claims resolved, rather than using the appraisal process, which is typically faster and cheaper.

The measure, House File 2299, passed the Iowa House unanimously in late February, but it drew fierce opposition from insurance adjusters and Iowa homeowners at a subcommittee meeting Monday, and the meeting’s chair said it might not advance.