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Let’s say you filed an insurance claim for property damage, the insurance adjuster inspected your property, and the carrier sent you a settlement check. But it doesn’t cover the estimated repair costs.
There may be several causes:
That’s where a supplemental insurance claim may come into play.
A supplemental claim, sometimes simply called a “supplement,” is a request for additional payment on an existing insurance claim when new information shows that the original settlement did not fully account for covered damage or repair costs.
So if the first settlement check isn’t going to cut it, don’t panic. Take action.
A supplemental claim is not a new insurance claim. The additional damage or costs must generally be related to a loss that was previously reported and/or settled, and should be supported by new documentation, such as evidence of additional damage, actual repair costs, or information that wasn't applied in the original adjustment.
It is also not necessarily a complaint or appeal. You are not simply telling the insurance company that you disagree with its decision. You are providing additional information, documentation, or evidence that was not available or not considered during the original adjustment.
If the additional costs are supported by the policy and the facts of the loss, the homeowner may be able to submit a supplemental claim for the difference.
Specific rules and deadlines relating to supplemental payments vary by state and policy. For example, the State of Florida defines a supplemental claim as a claim for additional loss or damage from the same peril that the insurer has previously adjusted, or for costs incurred while completing repairs or replacement under an open claim for which timely notice was previously provided to the insurer.
Florida law currently provides an 18-month notice period for supplemental claims, subject to the statute and applicable policy terms. For storm-related claims, the date of loss is generally the date of hurricane landfall or the date the weather event is verified by NOAA, not the date you discovered the damage. This deadline applies to most current losses; older losses may fall under earlier versions of the statute with different deadlines. Florida law also generally requires insurers to pay or deny a supplemental claim, or a portion of it, within 60 days of receiving notice.
Be sure to review your policy and your state guidelines to be sure you meet any deadlines to submit a supplemental claim.
There are several situations where a supplemental insurance claim may be appropriate. One of the most common is when damage is missed, misattributed to a non-covered peril, or omitted altogether in documentation from the initial inspection. Some property damage isn't obvious and is easy to overlook, and in some cases, damage may be undervalued or not fully accounted for in the carrier's estimate.
In any case, the key to submitting a supplement is documentation. A supplemental claim needs evidence showing what was missed or why additional money is warranted.
The more clearly you can demonstrate what changed or what was missed, the more likely you’ll receive an additional supplemental payment. A licensed Public Adjuster can complete an inspection with proper documentation and submit a supplemental claim on your behalf.
First, identify what was missed or what has been repaired. Then gather documentation supporting the additional amount you are requesting.
That documentation could include:
Then you’ll need to submit the supplemental claim and supporting documentation to your insurance adjuster.
Homeowners are technically able to handle their own supplemental insurance claims, but complicated documentation requirements often make it beneficial to hire a Public Adjuster to assist.
Public Adjusters work for the policyholder, not the insurance company. They can inspect and document the damage, review your policy requirements, prepare the supplemental claim, and negotiate a supplemental settlement with the carrier on your behalf.
You may come across contractors or roofing companies that advertise themselves as “supplement specialists” and promise to recover additional money from your insurance company.
There is a major distinction between a company that prepares a repairs estimate and a licensed Public Adjuster who can represent you in the insurance claim process. Typically, contractors and roofers are limited to documenting damage and preparing estimates.
Merlin Law Group has raised concerns about these self-proclaimed supplemental claims specialists since “some supplemental claims companies appear to be crossing the line into public adjusting by discussing policy coverages with adjusters, disputing denials, and arguing for larger payouts, even though they are not licensed as public adjusters. Legally, under many state laws, they should only document the scope and price of damage and justify their own invoice.”
Before signing an agreement with anyone who says they can get your insurance company to pay more, ask whether they are a licensed Public Adjuster in your state. You want to know exactly who is representing your interests and what they are legally authorized to do.
Receiving an insurance payment can feel like the end of the claims process. But sometimes, it is simply the first payment based on the information available at the time.
If additional covered damage can be proven or you complete repairs required for recoverable depreciation, a supplemental insurance claim may provide a path to recover additional funds.
The key is to act promptly, provide new evidence, and understand the requirements of your policy and state.
Contact Tiger Adjusters for assistance submitting your supplemental claim.
