An appraisal practice built on independence

Joseph Dittman

Appraiser and licensed Texas public adjuster

Joseph Dittman is a Texas-licensed public adjuster who has spent his career on the policyholder side of property claims: inspecting hail, wind, water and fire losses, writing line-item estimates, and negotiating with carrier adjusters across Greater Houston and the state. Rise Public Adjusting LLC holds Texas Department of Insurance public adjuster license #3356839, which you can verify on the TDI license lookup.

Policyholder Appraiser is the part of that practice devoted to the appraisal clause. In the appraiser's chair Joseph's job changes: no longer an advocate negotiating a settlement, but an independent professional determining the amount of loss and defending that determination to the carrier's appraiser and, where needed, to an umpire.

How we keep the roles separate

• We do not serve as appraiser on any claim in which Rise Public Adjusting acted as the public adjuster.
• Appraisal and umpire fees are flat or hourly and quoted in writing. They are never a percentage of the award.
• Before accepting an umpire appointment we disclose any prior dealings with either party, either appraiser or counsel.
• We decline engagements where appraisal cannot help, including coverage denials.

Qualified under the 2027 Texas rules

28 TAC §5.9804 requires appraisers and umpires on residential dwelling losses to be competent by training or experience, independent of the parties, disinterested in the outcome, and either a licensed adjuster or public adjuster with residential estimating experience, an engineer or architect, or a qualified tradesperson. Joseph meets the public adjuster standard with daily residential and commercial estimating experience.