Dispute paths
1. Written rebuttal
- Direct challenge with supporting documentation
- Line-by-line analysis
- Specific factual and legal basis
- Usually the first step
2. DFS mediation
- State-sponsored
- Non-binding
- Low-cost
- Good for scope/amount disputes
3. Appraisal
- Binding on amount
- Panel of three
- Most HO-3 policies include clause
4. Civil Remedy Notice
- When handling is pretextual
- 60-day cure window
- Preserves bad-faith cause
5. Litigation
- First-party insurance counsel
- When other paths exhausted
- Substantial claims
What to include in any dispute
- Your own Xactimate estimate
- Specific line-item differences
- Photo and scope evidence
- Statutory citation where applicable
- Expert reports when warranted
How to document the dispute record
- Written submissions
- Dated and confirmed receipt
- Response-deadline tracking
- Professional tone
- Escalation ladder intact