A Colorado federal judge this month threw out a more than $3.07 million award to a homeowner’s association after concluding its appraiser and umpire acted improperly and “engaged in conduct that prejudiced the appraisal process and distorted the final award” against American Family.  The July 23 Colorado District Court verdict in Copper Oaks v. American Family involves residential hail damage. But it might carry lessons for auto repairers, insurers and customers who also use the “appraisal clause” process to settle a dispute over the cost of a repair.          Read the article………………