Property insurance; authorize appraisal panel to determine value of property and amount of loss, including issues of causation.

HB 396 requires all property insurance policies issued in Mississippi to include a standard appraisal provision. This allows either the policyholder or insurer to trigger an appraisal panel - composed of two appraisers and an umpire - to resolve disputes over property value, loss amount, repair costs, or causation (e.g., whether damage was caused by a covered event). The panel’s decision on these specific issues is binding, though courts retain authority over coverage or liability questions. The bill applies to all property insurance policies in Mississippi and takes effect July 1, 2025.