What an insurance estimate review is
An insurance estimate review is a detailed audit of the estimate your carrier wrote for your claim. Most carriers use estimating software such as Xactimate or Symbility, which produces a long list of line items with quantities, unit prices and depreciation. Those estimates can look precise while still missing whole areas of damage, using the wrong price list for your region, or applying depreciation in ways the policy doesn’t support.
We read every line, compare it to the damage and your policy, and tell you plainly where the estimate looks short, where it looks fair, and whether appraisal is likely to be worth it.
How the review works
- You send the documents. The full carrier estimate, photos, your policy, any contractor bids and any letters from the adjuster.
- We check the basics. Date of loss, price list date and region, coverage parts, deductible and prior payments.
- Line-item audit. We look at each line for missing items, wrong quantities, wrong materials, unrealistic labor and missing trades.
- Depreciation and O&P. We check how depreciation was applied and whether overhead and profit was included where several trades are needed.
- Site visit if needed. When photos aren’t enough, we inspect the property.
- Written report. You get a summary of the gaps by category and our view on whether appraisal makes sense.
What we typically find on Montana estimates
- Price list mismatch. Estimate software uses regional price lists. A list that doesn’t reflect costs in resort areas like Big Sky or Whitefish, or the travel costs to a ranch outside Jordan, can understate the job.
- Roof details. Missing steep-pitch and high-roof charges, starter strip, drip edge, ice and water shield (often required at eaves in snow country), and ridge vent.
- Siding and matching. Repairs written for one elevation when the product is discontinued and won’t match.
- Interior finish. Paint written for a wall instead of the room, or flooring written for one room in a continuous run.
- Code items. Upgrades required by the local building department left off without explanation.
- General conditions. Dumpsters, permits, protection, cleanup and supervision missing from larger jobs.
Illustrative example: an estimate that omits ice and water shield, starter and drip edge on a 30-square roof can come up short by a meaningful amount before any argument about repair versus replace even starts (illustrative figures; every roof differs).
When an estimate review is all you need
Sometimes the review shows the carrier missed specific items that are easy to document. In that case, you may be able to send the findings to your adjuster and get a revised estimate without appraisal. Sometimes the review shows the estimate is roughly fair, which is useful to know too. And sometimes it shows a gap large enough that appraisal makes sense. You decide.
What an insurance estimate review is not
We are not a public adjuster, so we don’t negotiate your claim with the carrier. We are not a law firm, so we can’t advise you on coverage or your rights under Montana’s Unfair Trade Practices Act. If the carrier has denied coverage or you have concerns about how the claim is being handled, talk to a licensed Montana attorney. You can also contact the Office of the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance.
Useful next steps
Run your numbers through the claim gap calculator to see the size of the difference. Take the appraisal readiness quiz to see whether your file is ready. If the gap is real, our appraisal clause representation service picks up where the insurance estimate review leaves off.
Questions about insurance estimate review
Do I need a site visit for an estimate review?
Not always. If the carrier’s estimate is detailed and you have good photos of all the damage, we can often do a first review from documents. For larger losses, or when photos don’t show the full picture, a site visit helps catch missing scope. We will tell you up front whether we think an inspection is needed for your claim.
What is the difference between an estimate review and appraisal?
An estimate review is a written audit of the carrier’s numbers that tells you where the gaps are. Appraisal is the formal process under your policy where two appraisers and an umpire set the amount of loss. Many owners start with a review, then decide whether the gap justifies invoking appraisal. The review does not commit you to anything.
Can you review a contractor’s estimate too?
Yes. Contractor estimates and carrier estimates are often written in different formats and may include different items. We can compare both side by side and point out where each one looks high, low or incomplete. That comparison is often the clearest way to understand why the numbers are far apart and which items are worth pursuing.