A supplement is an additional request submitted to your insurance company to cover repair costs that were not included in the original settlement. It is completely normal and happens on almost all major claims when hidden damage is uncovered during the actual repair process. Your contractor should be the one to document, draft, and submit … Read more
Xactimate is the industry standard software used by insurance adjusters to calculate property damage repair costs. The software relies on a regional database of historical average prices, which often lags behind current, real world contractor rates. A difference between your insurance offer and your contractor’s quote is usually caused by a “scope gap” (missing repair … Read more
The accusation of knowledge: A negligence or “failure to maintain” denial means the insurance company believes you specifically knew about a problem and chose not to fix it before it caused a larger loss. Active vs. passive failure: This is completely different from normal wear and tear. Negligence implies an active failure on your part, … Read more
Canceling is possible: You can usually withdraw a claim before payment is issued, but the record of filing may still appear on your CLUE report. Reopening is common: A closed claim can often be reopened if you discover hidden damage during repairs or if you are claiming your recoverable depreciation within the policy deadline. Documentation … Read more
A single home insurance claim typically raises your premium by 9% to 40%, and this surcharge usually lasts for three to five years. Filing a claim often removes a “claim-free discount” you may not have realized you had, creating a double financial hit at your next renewal. Filing multiple claims within a short window drastically … Read more