Why start with a review
Many homeowners and boards are not sure whether the carrier’s estimate is wrong or just confusing. Estimates are long, full of abbreviations and organized by software categories rather than by room or trade. An insurance estimate review in Maine translates the estimate into plain language and checks it against what is actually damaged. Sometimes the answer is that the estimate is reasonable. More often, there are gaps worth pursuing through a supplement or appraisal.
What we check in every estimate
- Scope. Are all damaged rooms, materials and building systems included? Are attics, crawlspaces and outbuildings covered?
- Quantities. Are square footage, roof squares, linear feet of trim and wall heights right?
- Pricing. Do unit costs reflect Maine labor and materials, including access costs for islands and remote camps?
- Matching. Does the estimate assume a match that is not available?
- Depreciation. Is depreciation reasonable for the age and condition of each item, and is the holdback recoverable?
- Overhead and profit. Is a general contractor needed, and is overhead and profit included?
- Code items. Are code upgrades included where the policy covers them?
Common gaps in Maine estimates
We frequently see estimates that price drywall where the home has plaster, use summer production rates for winter work, skip snow removal and temporary protection, ignore ferry or barge costs, or leave out the attic and wall cavities behind visible damage. Depreciation is another frequent issue: roofs and flooring are sometimes depreciated well beyond their real condition. Our RCV and ACV holdback calculator shows how depreciation affects what you receive now and later.
A review looks at amount: scope, quantities and pricing. If the carrier has denied part of the claim on coverage grounds, our review will flag it, but resolving it is a job for a Maine attorney.
What you receive
You get a written summary of the gaps we find, grouped by category, with an estimate of the difference and a plain recommendation. Options typically include asking the carrier for a supplement, which often resolves smaller gaps, or moving to appraisal for larger ones. You can use our settlement gap projector alongside the review to weigh costs.
Illustrative example
Illustrative example: a Sanford homeowner receives a $14,300 estimate for a kitchen water loss. The review finds the cabinets priced as stock rather than semi-custom, the flooring limited to the kitchen when it runs through the dining room, and no overhead and profit. Adjusted, the scope totals $23,100. The owner can request a supplement first and consider appraisal if it is refused. Figures are invented for illustration.
From review to appraisal
If the review shows a significant gap and the carrier will not supplement, we can serve as your named appraiser and build on the work already done. The appraisal clause representation page explains that process. Either way, you start with a clear picture of where the numbers stand.
Supplements versus appraisal
A supplement is a request for the carrier to revise its own estimate, usually backed by photos, contractor bids or newly found damage. It costs little and often works for missed line items. Appraisal is the formal route when the carrier will not move and the gap is large enough to justify the cost. The review helps you choose between them with real numbers in hand.
What to send us
Send the full carrier estimate in PDF, the policy declarations page, any correspondence, your photos and any contractor bids. We review the documents and contact you to discuss what we found.
Questions about insurance estimate review
What is an insurance estimate review in Maine?
It is a line-by-line check of the carrier’s estimate for missing scope, quantity errors, low pricing and depreciation issues, with a plain summary of the gap.
Do I need a review before appraisal?
Not always, but it is a low-cost way to see whether the difference justifies appraisal or can be resolved with a supplement.
Can you review a contractor’s estimate too?
Yes. Comparing the carrier’s estimate with a contractor’s bid often shows exactly where the disagreement lies.
Will the carrier accept a review?
The carrier is not bound by our review, but a clear, itemized list of gaps often leads to a supplement or a productive appraisal.