Short answer: A lowball offer almost always means the carrier's Xactimate estimate is missing scope: demo, drying, matching, code upgrades, protection, or contents. A full re-estimate typically captures the gap; submitting it as a supplemental claim (within 18 months of the loss per Fla. Stat. 627.70132) closes it. Don't accept the offer without a professional re-estimate first.
Why carrier offers are frequently low
- Field-adjuster scope limits: carrier inspectors often rush; they miss damage
- Xactimate pricing database defaults: may not match actual local repair costs
- Missing items: demolition, haul-away, drying hours, protection, matching
- Depreciation games: ACV paid, RCV holdback withheld, sometimes never released
- Coverage under-application: code upgrades, matching statute, ALE all missed
What a re-estimate looks like
A Florida public adjuster prepares a full Xactimate estimate, the same format the carrier uses, scoped to the actual damage with the actual local repair costs. We include:
- Every damaged item, photographed and measured
- All demo, haul, drying, protection line items
- Code-upgrade line items where law and ordinance coverage applies
- Matching line items per Fla. Stat. 626.9744 where unavailability is documented
- Contents and ALE where applicable
- Overhead and profit (O&P) where the repair complexity supports it
The gap between the carrier's estimate and a full re-estimate is often 30-200%+ of the carrier's number.
Don't accept the offer yet
Once you sign a release, you've settled. Reopening is possible but harder. Get a second opinion first.
Free re-estimate
Ocean Point provides a free re-estimate for every lowball scenario. If the gap is material, we take the claim on contingency. If it isn't, we tell you so.