Appraiser obligations

A. An appraiser shall disclose to the parties any potential conflicts of interest, provided for in R.S. 22:1807.14, no later than five days after hiring by a party and before beginning work on an appraisal. B. After accepting responsibility for an appraisal, the appraiser shall not withdraw or abandon the appraisal unless compelled to do so by unforeseen circumstances that would render it impossible or impracticable to continue. C. An appraiser shall postpone an appraisal for a reasonable amount of time if a party shows reasonable cause for a postponement. D. An appraiser has a duty to do all of the following: (1) Consider all information provided by the parties and any other reasonably available evidence material to the claim. (2) Carefully decide all issues submitted for determination regarding the amount of loss. (3) Give the parties and the other appraiser an itemized written appraisal. (4) Conduct the appraisal process to advance the fair and efficient resolution of the matters submitted for decision. E. An appraiser shall not do any of the following: (1) Permit outside pressure to affect an appraisal. (2) Delegate the duty to decide to any other person. (3) Communicate with an umpire without including the other party or the other party's appraiser, except as permitted in R.S. 22:1807.22. (4) Charge the parties on a contingent fee basis, percentage of the decision, barter arrangement, gift, favor, or in-kind exchange. (5) Charge a fee for services if the appraiser withdraws or abandons the appraisal.