Makes sense, but I’m curious—has anyone actually tried to negotiate with their insurer over the depreciation amount? I’ve heard mixed things about whether you can push back if you have solid maintenance records or recent repairs. Wondering if it’s worth the hassle or if they just stick to their formulas no matter what.
Yeah, I’ve tried pushing back a bit with my own claim after some storm damage. Had all my receipts and photos ready, but honestly, they barely budged. They did look at my records, though, so maybe it helped a little? Feels like they mostly stick to their formulas unless you really catch something they missed. Not sure it was worth all the back and forth, but I guess it can’t hurt to try if you’ve got solid documentation.
Did you ever try getting a second opinion or estimate from a contractor and showing that to the insurance folks? I’ve heard sometimes they’ll reconsider if you can prove the actual replacement cost is way higher than their payout, but I’ve never tested it myself. Just curious if that made any difference for you.
I actually did something like that when my garage roof needed replacing last year. Insurance offered me what I thought was a pretty low payout, so I got a couple more estimates from local contractors. Like you mentioned:
I’ve heard sometimes they’ll reconsider if you can prove the actual replacement cost is way higher than their payout
I figured it couldn’t hurt to try. Sent the quotes over to my adjuster and, to their credit, they did bump up the amount—though not as high as the highest estimate. Still, it helped cover a chunk more of the cost. I think it depends on the company and maybe even who you talk to. Some seem more flexible than others.
One thing I learned: keep every single receipt and get detailed breakdowns from the contractors. The more documentation you have, the harder it is for them to ignore you. It’s a hassle, but sometimes that’s what it takes if you don’t want to eat the extra costs yourself.
Had a similar run-in with my insurance when my roof decided to impersonate a sieve last spring. The initial payout offer was so low I wondered if they thought I was just patching it up with duct tape and good intentions. Ended up doing the same dance—got three quotes, sent them over, and suddenly the adjuster found some “additional coverage” in the fine print. Still didn’t cover everything, but at least I wasn’t left eating ramen for a month.
Totally agree about keeping every scrap of paperwork. My contractor even joked that I had more documentation than he did. It’s wild how much smoother things go when you can back up every penny. One thing I’d add: sometimes it helps to call and talk to a different rep if you’re getting nowhere. Not sure why, but some folks are just more willing to help—or maybe they’re less caffeinated that day.
Anyway, dealing with insurance is like playing chess with someone who keeps moving the pieces when you’re not looking... but persistence does pay off, at least a little.
