What this service is for
Not every disagreement needs a full appraisal. Sometimes the insurer missed a few rooms, used the wrong material grade, or forgot overhead and profit. An insurance estimate review identifies those gaps so you can decide whether to submit a supplement, ask for reinspection, or move toward appraisal. Many homeowners find that simply knowing what the estimate omits clarifies their options.
How a line-by-line review works
Most carriers in Minnesota use Xactimate, a widely used estimating platform that prices labor and materials by region. We read the insurer’s estimate the way a contractor would: line by line, room by room.
Scope
Are all damaged rooms and elevations included? Are quantities correct? We compare against photos, measurements and, where possible, our own inspection.
Materials and methods
Does the estimate assume drywall where you have plaster, standard trim where you have custom millwork, or builder-grade shingles where you had architectural?
Pricing
Is the price list current and appropriate for your area? Rates in Duluth, Moorhead or a remote lake property can differ from the metro.
Depreciation and payments
Is depreciation reasonable for the age and condition of the item? Does the estimate apply depreciation to labor, and does your policy allow that? How much recoverable depreciation is being held back until repairs are complete?
Overhead and profit
When a repair requires coordinating multiple trades, general contractor overhead and profit is commonly included. We check whether it was applied.
What you receive
The written summary is designed to be read by a homeowner, not just by an estimator, so each difference is explained in plain language with the reason it matters.
- A summary of the major differences, organized by area of the property
- A note on items that appear to be coverage questions, which we flag but do not decide
- Our view on whether the gap justifies a supplement, a reinspection, or appraisal
Typical findings
Gaps that commonly appear in Minnesota estimates include missing overhead and profit, incomplete quantities on roofs and siding, outdated or mismatched price lists, depreciation applied to labor, and omitted items such as permits, dumpsters, protection of floors and final cleaning. On older homes, plaster, custom trim and old-growth hardwood are routinely priced as modern substitutes. None of these require a dramatic argument; they simply need to be identified clearly and supported with measurements, photos and local pricing. A short insurance estimate review often turns a vague sense of being underpaid into a specific, organized list.
From review to appraisal
If the review shows a large gap and the insurer will not budge, the work done here carries forward. Minnesota Insurance Appraiser can use the same documentation if you later name us as your appraiser, so nothing is wasted. You can read about that path in our appraisal clause representation page.
What to send
For an insurance estimate review, provide the complete estimate (all pages, including the summary and depreciation sections), any contractor bids, the policy declarations and photos. Our free tools page has resources to help you organize these, and the common questions page covers the basics. When ready, contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to inspect the property for a review?
Not always. We can review an estimate using photos and documentation, though an inspection gives more reliable results for complex losses.
Can I send the review to my insurer?
You may share it as support for a supplement or reinspection request. Many insurers will reconsider specific items when presented with clear documentation.
What if my contractor already wrote an Xactimate estimate?
We can compare both estimates and identify where they differ and which positions are better supported.