Additional obligations for commissioner-selected umpires

All of the following obligations apply to an umpire selected by the commissioner: (1) No later than seven days after receiving notice of selection for an appraisal, the umpire shall send a written notice to the parties and the appraisers, containing the following: (a) The identity of the umpire. (b) Whether the umpire is insured by the insurer. (c) A statement informing each party of his respective right to object to the umpire and the method through which the parties may object pursuant to R.S. 22:1807.26. (2) Before the umpire begins work, the parties shall present the umpire with an appraisal contract that requires the parties and the umpire to comply with the provisions of this Subpart and provides that each party shall pay the appraisal costs provided for in R.S. 22:1807.23. (3) The umpire shall notify the commissioner upon completion of the appraisal process and upon reaching an appraisal decision. (4) The umpire shall charge an hourly rate set by the commissioner and may charge a minimum two-hour fee. (5) The umpire may charge for reasonably incurred travel costs, including mileage, meals, and lodging. If the umpire charges for reasonably incurred travel costs, the umpire shall provide an estimate of the travel costs as an addendum to the contract provided for in Paragraph (2) of this Section.