It’s Not a Receipt: An insurance estimate is a proposal of scope, not a final invoice. It lists what the adjuster thinks needs to be done, not necessarily what your contractor will charge. The “Big Three” Numbers: Focus on RCV (Replacement Cost), Depreciation (Age deduction), and ACV (The first check amount). Knowing the difference prevents … Read more
The “Triage” Reality: Adjusters often handle a high volume of files simultaneously; silence usually means your file is not currently “burning” (urgent) or “easy” (ready to close), so it gets deprioritized. The “Loop” Solution: Stop asking “any update?”; start asking for a specific Next Action, a specific Owner, and a specific Date. Channel Switching: If … Read more
The “Math First” Rule: Never file a claim until you know your deductible amount and have a rough estimate of the repair costs; if the damage is close to the deductible, filing is often a financial loss. The “Zero-Pay” Trap: Opening a claim just to “ask a question” or “have someone look at it” can … Read more
The “4-Corner” Rule: Stand in each corner of the room to capture the layout first. Adjusters need to see the “Before” context before they zoom in on the damage. Source vs. Result: Photograph the cause (the burst pipe) separately from the effect (the wet floor). These are two different proof points. Don’t Move Debris Yet: … Read more
Quality beats volume: Uploading 50 loose photos often slows down the process. We focus on a clean “evidence pack” strategy. The Core Three: Every claim requires proof of ownership, proof of the event date, and a preliminary scope of damages. Format matters: Adjusters need PDF files for documents and clear JPEG files for photos. Never … Read more