You get the adjuster’s estimate and the number is lower than your contractor’s assessment. Sometimes significantly lower. Here’s what to do.
First: Verify Your Suspicion
Have your contractor compare their scope to the adjuster’s estimate line by line. Common legitimate reasons for differences: different material prices, different measurement methods, or scope items your contractor included that the carrier doesn’t cover.
If the differences are legitimate, your contractor may need to adjust. But if the adjuster genuinely missed items, that’s different.
Most Common Lowball Tactics
Missing O&P: The carrier omits the 10/10 overhead and profit markup. This alone can account for $2,000-$4,000 on a mid-size claim.
Repair vs. replace: The carrier writes repair or overlay instead of full replacement, when replacement is actually required.
Low material pricing: Xactimate pricing isn’t always current. Real-world material costs may exceed the estimate.
Missing code items: Local code upgrades (ice and water shield, drip edge, ridge ventilation) required by current building code often get omitted.
Step 1: Request a Supplement
Your contractor prepares a detailed supplement — a line-by-line additional scope document explaining what was missed and why it should be included. Most supplement requests resolve within 2-4 weeks.
Step 2: Request a Re-Inspection
If the supplement isn’t resolving it, request a re-inspection from a different adjuster in writing. Have your contractor present with documentation.
Step 3: Invoke the Appraisal Clause
If you and the carrier can’t agree on the amount of loss, most policies provide an appraisal process. Both sides select an independent appraiser, and a neutral umpire resolves the dispute. This is binding and faster than litigation.
Step 4: File a Complaint
File with the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner at oci.ga.gov. Carriers take regulatory complaints seriously.
Your policy entitles you to the cost of proper restoration. Don’t accept a settlement that doesn’t cover the actual work. Book a free claim review →