Canon of Ethics for P.L.A.N. Certified Umpires

P.L.A.N. understands the need for establishing a standard of ethical behavior for the certified umpires within their program. The following is a Canon of Ethics for those who perform as an Umpire under the P.L.A.N. Certified Umpire (CPLU) Program.

Any person that acts or performs in the role and duties of a P.L.A.N. Certified Umpire (CPLU) does so with the responsibility of performing these services and conducting themselves in a manner that will uphold the integrity, trust, and fairness inherent of the process and their appointment to serve in the capacity of Umpire.

1.         P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) swear to hold themselves to the highest level of standards, both ethically and professionally while performing the duties of an Umpire. These standards of ethics should be the same as those who hold themselves out as serving in a position with public trust or protection.

2.         While performing the duties of an Umpire, P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) shall not knowingly engage themselves in practices which may adversely discredit P.L.A.N., the appraisal process or their profession.

3.         P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) shall not undertake any appraisal in which they are not competent, impartial, or knowledgeable. 

4.         Prior to the acceptance of the Umpire to preside over an appraisal, P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) must disclose any relationships, both professional and personal, between all parties involved in the specific appraisal.

5.         P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) shall hold no financial interest in a specific appraisal other than his agreed to standard and customary fees.

6.         P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) should never accept any financial arrangement which could be contradictory to any and all applicable laws and statutes within the process or governing jurisdictions.

7.         P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) should conduct all communications and the sharing of any information in a Non-Ex Parte manner on all appraisals to which he or she presides.

8.         P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) are required to inspect the physical loss and are to perform due diligence in obtaining an award without merely “Splitting the Baby.”

9.         P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) will disclose their fee schedules, retainer requirements, and or payment arrangements prior to accepting the position of Umpire.

10.       P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) shall command the respect and authority of their position in obtaining a fair, just, and unbiased resolution to the appraisal.

11.       P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) shall not maliciously and knowingly act in any manner to cause injury or discredit the reputation of their colleagues, their profession or the Appraisal Process in whole.

12.       P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) agree to perform their duties following and under the guidelines of the Governing Laws in the state in which the loss resides and those of the insurance policy languages which govern the specific loss under Appraisal.

13.       P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) shall act in a manner of expedience, due diligence, and fairness in the performance of their duties in the appraisal process.

14.       Under any circumstances, should a P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Appraiser need to remove themselves from an appointment of appraisal, they will do so in a professional manner which does not and cannot harm the process or the disputants.

15.       P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) understand the need to abide by the highest standards of ethics and professionalism for both the industry and the network to which they are members and swear to uphold these standards and demand it of others within their appointments as Umpire.

16.       P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) swear to uphold the inherent trust in their work and behavior and stand behind their decisions without the fear and propensity of outside influences.

17.       P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Appraisers are not and cannot act serve or perform as advocates for either party of the appraisal and cannot act serve or perform as a third appraiser and must maintain a position of neutrality throughout the process.

18.       Advertisements by P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Appraisers must be done in a manner of truthfulness and should not promote or imply any services beyond their capabilities or those which go against any governing laws of the process or authoritative jurisdictions.

19.       P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) swear to uphold the confidentiality of the Appraisal Process and will never disclose confidential information for personal gain of any kind on any appraisal for which they provide services to the private or public sectors and promise to discuss and use only information relevant to the loss within their appointments.

20.       The Appraisal process requires working with many professionals, both in the public and private sectors, accordingly, P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) swear to conduct themselves with the highest standard of ethics, professionalism, and integrity while performing their duties and representing themselves as P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU)

21.       P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) swear to take pride in the position of Umpire, and to perform their duties without knowingly jeopardizing either side of the panel, no matter how tedious the task.

22.       P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) hold themselves responsible for keeping up to date on all applicable Laws, Certifications, Training Programs and Licensing requirements for the performance of their duties.

23.       P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) understand that their actions affect the lives and businesses of the people they serve, on every claim, and swear to have respect for that power and conduct themselves in a manner that will not intentionally harm those whom they serve.

24.       P.L.A.N. Certified Property Loss Umpires (CPLU) swear to perform their duties without bias or prejudice and uphold the ethical standards, behavior, and authority within their position and will not jeopardize themselves or the proceedings for personal financial gain or intentional harm to others.

25.       P.L.A.N. Certified Umpires (CPLU) should only accept their appointment if:

a.         They are physically able to perform their duties.

b.         They are competent in the areas under appraisal.

c.         They can devote the time and attention to complete the appraisal process expeditiously.

d.         They can perform their duties without outside influence.

e.         They can perform their duties without bias.

f.          They understand the governing laws and policies applicable to the specific appraisal.

g.         They have no personal or financial interest in the Appraisal other than their standard, customary, and reasonable fees.

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