A quality damage assessment is a very important element to an effectively addressed restoration job. When a quality damage documentation is done, this assessment will steer a more successful outcome throughout the course of claim filing, the insurance adjustment and supplementing.
Make the proper execution of Damage Assessment part of your standard operating procedures (SOP)
- Claim Control: During an initial claim filing or inspection, a properly executed Damage Assessment coupled with photos is the first time a homeowner will begin to understand the full extent of their loss. This type of documentation bring integrity to the filing of the claim and help you create a foundation that is independent of outside influences.
- Insurance Adjustment: You may or may not attend insurance adjustments with a well written Xactimate estimate. If you can’t complete your estimate prior to the insurance adjuster appointment, then the Damage Assessment can assist in this situation also. The assessment will help ensure the adjuster’s scope and your scope are similar. This ensures that what is relayed to the homeowner should be more accurate. This is true if your Damage Assessment was used to educate the homeowner during the initial claim filing.
- Supplementing: Having a Damage Assessment coupled with photos will serve as the foundation for supplementing. If you completed one on the initial inspection, presented it to the homeowner, and communicated it to the adjuster; you can use it to cross-check the adjuster’s estimate and add any line items they may have missed. The key to effective supplementing is documentation, period!
Additional benefits gained by doing a thorough Damage Assessment:
- a more clear and usable picture of the scope for every job
- a template for estimate creation / supplementing
- leverage during insurance adjustments
- win more disputes over differences on scope and price
- reduce the number of visits to the jobsite for capturing critical info
- increase the average amount of money earned through supplementing