§1807.26. Objections

            A.(1) A party or appraiser may object to an umpire for good cause no later than ten days after the party or appraiser receives the selection panel.

            (2) A party or appraiser may object to an umpire for good cause, no later than thirty days after the appraisal is complete, based on information not provided with the selection panel and discovered after the selection of the umpire.

            (3) A party or appraiser may object to an umpire because the umpire is insured by the insurer no later than the earlier of either of the following:

            (a) Seven days after receiving the umpire selection panel and the information provided therewith.

            (b) Seven days before the umpire begins work.

            B. Parties and appraisers shall send all objections to the commissioner pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 22:1807.25, or to the judge if a lawsuit has been filed, and include all of the following information:

            (1) The names of the parties involved in the dispute.

            (2) The name of the person submitting the objection.

            (3) The insurer's claim number.

            (4) The name of the umpire that the party or appraiser objects to.

            (5) An explanation of the good cause for objecting to the umpire.

            (6) An explanation of any direct financial or personal interest that the umpire has in the outcome of the dispute.

            C. If the judge determines that good cause exists to replace an umpire who was selected for a dispute, the judge shall select a replacement umpire.

            Acts 2024, No. 625, §1.