Maximize Your Claims

What a Supplemental Insurance Claim Actually Is

A supplemental insurance claim is a formal request to your insurer for additional payment on a claim that's already been opened. It's not an appeal, and it's not starting over. You're telling your adjuster, with documentation, that the original estimate missed something.

That happens more often than most homeowners expect. An adjuster working a high volume of claims may not account for every damaged component, may use outdated labor rates for your area, or may apply depreciation in a way that doesn't hold up against your policy language. None of that is necessarily bad faith. It's also not final.

Insurers are required to pay what your policy covers. If the original estimate didn't capture the full scope, a supplement is how you close that gap. The key word is "documented." A phone call expressing frustration doesn't move a claim. An itemized supplement with specific line items, cost references, and photos does.

What typically gets missed in a first estimate

The gaps that generate the largest supplements tend to fall into a few recurring categories:

• Code upgrade requirements, many policies cover the cost of bringing a repair up to current building code, but adjusters don't always include it
• Missed line items, components that are damaged but weren't inspected or weren't visible at the time of the adjuster's visit
• Depreciation applied incorrectly, either to items your policy covers at replacement cost, or calculated using figures that don't match your policy's schedule
• Labor and material costs that don't reflect your local market, national averages frequently run below what contractors in your area actually charge

That's what the Max My Claim platform is built to find. If you want to understand what was included in your estimate and what wasn't, reach out to our team or get started directly through the app.