Why a review often comes first
Many policyholders receive an estimate that seems low but can’t tell exactly why. Insurance estimates are long, coded and built in software such as Xactimate, with line items, unit prices and depreciation that most people never see in their day-to-day lives. An insurance estimate review in WV translates that document into plain terms, so you know what was included, what was left out and how much the difference is likely to be.
What we compare
We read the carrier’s estimate line by line against photos, measurements and, if possible, our own inspection. Then we prepare a written summary of disputed items with our reasoning and an estimated dollar range for each.
Scope
- Missing rooms, slopes or elevations.
- Quantities that don’t match the measurements: squares of roofing, square feet of drywall, linear feet of trim.
- Steps left out of a repair sequence, such as removing and resetting cabinets before flooring work.
- Specialty work, such as plaster, slate or historic millwork, priced as standard materials.
Pricing
- Unit prices that don’t reflect the local market, which can differ between the Eastern Panhandle, the Metro Valley and rural southern counties.
- Minimum charges and small-job labor left out.
- Steep-roof, high-roof and access charges omitted.
Overhead, profit and code items
- General contractor overhead and profit (O&P) left out when several trades are needed. Our guide on overhead, profit and pricing covers the common arguments.
- Code-required upgrades, such as ice barrier, drip edge, GFCI outlets and smoke detectors, where ordinance or law coverage applies.
- Permit fees and inspection costs.
Depreciation
- Depreciation applied to labor in addition to materials, which policies and rules handle differently. Check your policy.
- Age and condition assumptions that don’t match the evidence.
- Holdback amounts and how to recover them after repairs.
What you get
A written report listing each disputed item, why we think it is disputed, and an estimated range. You can share it with your adjuster to support a supplement request, or use it to decide whether to invoke appraisal. If you do invoke, we can serve as your appraiser, or you may choose someone else. Our appraisal step-by-step guide explains what happens next.
When a review is the right size of help
A review often makes sense when you are not sure the gap is large enough for appraisal, when a contractor’s bid is far above the carrier’s number and you want an independent view, or when your adjuster has invited a supplement and you want it organized. It is also a sensible first step for claims across the state, from a brick row house in Wheeling to a farmhouse in Hardy County.
What to send us
- The full carrier estimate, not just the summary page.
- Your policy declarations and any relevant endorsements.
- Photos and any contractor bids.
- Letters or emails from the adjuster explaining the decision.
We aim to return a review that is honest in both directions. If parts of the carrier’s estimate are fair, the report says so, and if the gap turns out to be small, we will tell you that appraisal is unlikely to be worth the cost. Your decision should rest on real figures, not on hope or frustration.
Questions about this service
Is an estimate review the same as appraisal?
No. A review is an analysis you can use in negotiation or to decide next steps. Appraisal is a formal process under the policy that can produce a binding award on the amount of loss.
Can you review an estimate that was not built in Xactimate?
Yes. Some carriers use other estimating software or spreadsheets. We can review any itemized estimate as long as it shows scope and pricing.
Does my insurer have to accept your estimate review?
No. A review is supporting information. Your insurer may revise its estimate in response, or the dispute may continue, in which case appraisal may be an option if your policy allows it.