A Florida appellate court has stated in no uncertain terms that a public adjuster previously retained by a policyholder cannot be considered a “disinterested appraiser” during subsequent appraisal proceedings.

The Third District Court of Appeal vacated a Miami-Dade Circuit Court order allowing homeowners Charles and Diana Sanders to use their claims agent, Gian Franco Debernardi with 911 Claims Corporation, in their appraisal proceedings against State Farm Florida Insurance Co. The appellate court found that Debernardi’s preexisting relationship with the plaintiffs and financial stake in the appraisal’s outcome violated the conditions of the Sanders’ homeowner policy with State Farm.