The documentation multiple
Industry studies and Ocean Point's 500+ mediations suggest:
- Self-represented with basic documentation: baseline recovery
- Self-represented with thorough documentation: 30-60% increase
- PA-represented with standard documentation: 50-100% increase
- PA-represented with forensic-grade documentation: 100-200% increase
The multiplier compounds: representation + documentation amplify each other.
What "thorough documentation" looks like
Photo standard
- Every room, every damaged area
- Multiple angles per damage
- Context and close-up
- Date- and time-stamped
- Undamaged area baseline
Scope standard
- Xactimate sketch and estimate
- Room-by-room measurements
- Material identification (manufacturer, model, age)
- Continuous-area analysis for matching
- Code-upgrade citation
Expert standard
- IH report (water, mold)
- Engineer report (structural, causation)
- Plumber statement (water source)
- Roofer report (roof claim causation)
- Accountant (commercial BI)
Legal standard
- Policy review with coverage cross-reference
- Statutory citation
- Case law reference when applicable
- Matching-statute analysis
Documentation as leverage
- Every claim decision is documented somewhere
- The claim file reflects what was submitted, not what was true
- Your file becomes the carrier's file after review
- Clean submission → clean review → favorable decision
The alternative
- Submit partial scope → carrier's scope becomes the baseline
- Skip expert reports → carrier's position stands unchallenged
- Miss statutes → carrier sets the statutory framework
- Rush the claim → carrier's speed dictates
Ocean Point approach
Every claim gets:
- Full scope documentation day one
- Expert reports when appropriate
- Policy + statute analysis
- Xactimate with Florida-current pricing
- Supplemental within the 18-month window if anything emerges