Quick Start: Creating Your First Appraisal
Step-by-step guide to creating your first appraisal case in AwardLettr.
A carrier emails you a new assignment. The faster you get it into AwardLettr, the faster everything downstream works. Inspection booking, time tracking, document generation, invoicing. None of it happens until the appraisal exists in the system.
New users often hesitate the first time because they assume they need all the claim details up front. They do not. You can create an appraisal with just the essentials and fill in the rest as the case develops. The goal is to get the record open so the platform can start working for you.
If you have never created an appraisal before, follow this guide once. After that the workflow becomes second nature and most cases take under a minute to spin up.
Creating an appraisal is the first step in managing a case. This guide walks you through the process.
Step-by-Step Guide
Click "New Appraisal"
From the Appraisals page, click the "New Appraisal" button in the top-right corner.
Select Representing Party
Choose whether you are the Carrier Appraiser or Insured Appraiser on this case.
Enter Insured Information
Add the policyholder's name and contact information.
Add Claim Details
Enter the claim number, policy number, and date of loss.
Select Carrier
Choose the insurance carrier from your directory, or add a new one.
Enter Property Address
Add the loss location address. This is used for scheduling and travel time.
Save the Appraisal
Click "Create Appraisal" to save. You'll be taken to the appraisal detail page.
Pro Tip
Next Steps
After creating your appraisal, you can:
- Schedule an inspection
- Add the opposing appraiser
- Start tracking time
- Add notes and tasks