Don’t Let Your Insurance
Shortchange You
Most property owners accept the first check and lose thousands. P1Mitigators knows how the claims process works, where carriers cut corners, and how to get you paid what you’re actually owed.
How the Insurance Claims Process Works
Here’s what actually happens from the moment you report damage to the moment repairs are complete. Knowing these steps is the first step to not getting taken advantage of.
Report the Damage
Contact your insurance company to open a claim. Document everything — photos, video, dates, and a written description of all damage. Call P1Mitigators so we can start coordinating from day one.
Adjuster Inspection
Your carrier sends an adjuster to inspect the property. Having a knowledgeable contractor present during this inspection is critical — adjusters can miss items or undervalue damage. P1Mitigators can attend on your behalf.
Your contractor MEETS the adjuster (is there before waiting) to ensure the adjuster sees ALL damages. It's AMAZING what two sets of eyes will find — Set A: who gets paid to repair damages. Set B: who has to PAY for said damages.
Scope of Loss & Estimate
The carrier produces a Scope of Loss — their list of what they'll pay for. This is where most homeowners get shortchanged. P1Mitigators reviews it line by line against our own Xactimate estimate to find everything they missed.
If you have chosen a contractor and they are doing this work for "insurance proceeds," this SOL goes to them ASAP. Sometimes the contractor will provide one first. (A strategy exists here.)
Initial Payout
The carrier issues a check based on their scope. This is almost always less than what the repairs actually cost. The check is typically made out to you AND your mortgage company (if applicable).
Many times, a good contractor will REFUSE this work at 1st payout, knowing it's underpaid. Then the contractor submits their own SOL, and the carrier may: A) create or force a supplement process, B) rewrite the SOL, or C) challenge it by getting an engineer involved (never a good thing — and you will need your own engineer to match theirs).
Supplements & Negotiation
P1Mitigators submits supplements — additional line items the carrier missed or undervalued. This is where experienced contractors recover tens of thousands of dollars that would otherwise be left on the table.
Repairs & Completion
Licensed, insured contractors complete the work. P1Mitigators manages quality control and documents everything for final payment release. Your mortgage company releases remaining funds as work is completed.
Common Claim Mistakes
These are the mistakes we see property owners make every single week. Every one of them costs you money. Having an experienced contractor in your corner prevents all of them.
Accepting the First Check as Final
Most initial payouts are significantly under what repairs actually cost. The carrier’s first offer is a starting point, not the finish line. Supplements recover the difference.
Not Having a Contractor at the Adjuster Inspection
Adjusters work for the insurance company. Without an experienced contractor pointing out damage they walk right past, your scope of loss will be incomplete.
Signing with a Contractor Who Doesn’t Know Xactimate
If your contractor can’t read, write, and negotiate Xactimate estimates, you’re leaving money on the table. Xactimate is the language insurance companies speak.
Waiting Too Long to File
Florida has strict deadlines for filing claims and supplements. Delays give the carrier reasons to deny or reduce your payout. Act fast after storm damage.
Not Documenting Before Temporary Repairs
Emergency repairs are necessary, but you must document all damage before making them. Photos, video, and measurements are your evidence for the claim.
Paying the Wrong Deductible Amount
Under Florida law, homeowners must pay 100% of their deductible. Anyone not paying their deductible could be fined and possibly charged with a felony.
The Old Way vs. The New Way
The Old Way
“Trust the adjuster & carrier will do the right thing!” Ha ha...
- Interview 3 roofers, painters, tree contractors
- Beat them up on pricing, thinking you're going to make money on this
- Hope the carrier pays 100% at today's dollars to bring you back to pre-storm conditions
- Spoiler: insanely unlikely
Playing General Contractor? You'll need to know all trades, how to read policy payouts, this year's building codes, how supplements work, how to float contractor payments between your insurance payments, have access to Xactimate Construction Estimating Software, and more... #GoodLuck
The New Way
Call a trusted contractor ASAP — many claims don't even need to be filed!
- "I have a shingle in my front yard" — BOOM, you just filed a claim when a licensed roofer could have fixed this for $550
- Your contractor MEETS the adjuster — two sets of eyes see everything
- Set A: who gets paid to repair damages. Set B: who has to PAY for said damages.
- Contractor handles all documentation, supplements, Xactimate estimates, and coordination
Or B: You hire a contractor to do these repairs for “insurance proceeds.” The SOL goes to them ASAP. Sometimes the contractor will provide one first. (A strategy exists here.)
The 3 Payments Explained
This comes in many forms — here's how insurance claim payouts actually flow from your carrier to the repairs being completed.
⚠ Important Clarification
These are inbound payments from the carrier to the claim-contractors (not the homeowner). This is separate from your deductible payment — think of your deductible like a co-pay at the doctor's office.
If the first contractor's immediate work (a tree removal, a roof tarp, etc.) exceeds your deductible amount, you only pay your deductible. If their fee is less than your deductible, you just pay that fee — never more.
ACV Check (Actual Cash Value)
An Actual Cash Value check to start the project. This goes to the contractor. It's almost always underpaid — but it gets the work started.
Supplement (Sometimes)
After the contractor submits their own Scope of Loss and identifies what the carrier missed, the carrier may issue a supplemental payment. Not guaranteed, but a good contractor will fight for it.
Recoverable Depreciation (RD)
The final payout — Recoverable Depreciation (RD) is the difference between the 1st payment and money held until proven completed. This is the last check and it closes out the claim.
Understanding these 3 payments is critical. Most homeowners don't even know about Recoverable Depreciation — and carriers aren't rushing to tell you. A knowledgeable contractor ensures you collect every dollar you're owed.
Why Experience Matters
We write Xactimate estimates in the same language and format insurance carriers use — so there’s nothing for them to reject on technicalities.
We know what line items carriers routinely leave off scopes — O&P, code upgrades, material upgrades, temporary repairs, and more.
We attend adjuster inspections and point out damage they’d otherwise walk past. You shouldn’t be alone when the carrier’s rep is deciding what they’ll pay.
We know the filing deadlines, supplement windows, and escalation paths. Missing one deadline can kill an otherwise valid claim.
Over 85% of roofing claims are won without a public adjuster or attorney — when you have the right contractor handling the documentation.
Upload Your Scope of Loss
Got your insurance payout letter or Scope of Loss? Upload it and let our AI-powered tool analyze what they paid vs. what the repairs actually cost. Or call us for a human review.
📄 Upload your Scope of Loss or payout summary — NOT your actual insurance policy.
Your Scope of Loss is your 1st Payout Offer from your Carrier — the document that tells you what they're willing to pay.
Not sure which document? Look for “Scope of Loss,” “Estimate,” or “Proof of Loss” from your insurance company — it's the one with line items and dollar amounts.
✅ What “Free Review” Means
Call us and a P1Mitigators specialist will review your Scope of Loss at no charge — we'll tell you straight if the carrier underpaid and whether it's worth pursuing. No AI, no app — a real human with real experience looks at your documents and talks to you. No obligation, no BS.
Understanding Your Claim & Payments
Understanding Your Insurance Claim Payout
Recoverable Depreciation Explained
Storm Claim Process & What to Expect
Working With P1Mitigators
Claims Process Examples
Real examples of how the claims process plays out — the right way and the wrong way.
Great Claims Process
Detailed examples of claims handled correctly — with proper documentation, timely supplements, and full recovery — coming soon. Dave is putting these together.
Bad Claims Process
Real-world examples of claims gone wrong — missed deadlines, unchallenged scopes, contractors who couldn’t supplement — coming soon. Dave is putting these together.
Funny But Very True
These memes hit different when you've been in this industry. They're hilarious — and 100% accurate.
“I've never seen a single insurance claim payout correct the first time around.”
— A Well-Known Claims Specialist with 25+ years & 1,000s of claims handled in person, public workshops, and training groups of 100+ for 10+ years
Your contractor bid vs. what insurance actually pays.
You let the insurance company decide what they owe you?
Make insurance pay what YOU deserve — not what they want.
Stop letting your insurance kick your ass.
4 things that can add $13,000+ to your claim. Did your adjuster include them?
Important Disclaimers
P1Mitigators is NOT a Public Adjuster. We do not act in the capacity of a Public Adjuster as defined by the Uniformed Public Adjuster Practices Act (UPPA) or any state regulatory body. We do not negotiate insurance claims on your behalf, interpret policy language, or represent you to your insurance carrier in any capacity reserved for licensed Public Adjusters.
No Policy Interpretation. P1Mitigators does not review, explain, or interpret your insurance policy or its provisions. We discuss damages and costs only — never policy coverage, exclusions, endorsements, or deductible calculations. For policy questions, contact your insurance company, a licensed Public Adjuster, or an attorney.
Scope of Services. Our services are limited to: property damage inspection and documentation, Xactimate estimating (industry-standard repair cost estimating), supplement submission for additional identified damages, and project coordination with licensed contractors. We are a construction management and estimating firm.
Deductible Requirement. Florida law requires that homeowners pay 100% of their insurance deductible to their contractor. Failure to pay your full deductible may result in fines or felony charges. P1Mitigators does not waive, absorb, or discount deductibles under any circumstances.
*Note: In some cases, only a portion of your deductible will need to be paid — say in the case of a $750 tarp install or a $1,500 roof patch vs. your entire $2,000 deductible. Just that portion will need to be paid until you reach your full deductible amount. Also, always get and keep receipts of those deductible payments — your carrier will surely try to ignore them, making you pay it again on the main roofing or building claim when that's paid out.
No Legal Advice. Nothing on this page or website constitutes legal advice. Consult your insurance company, a licensed attorney, or a licensed Public Adjuster for guidance on your specific claim or policy.
Upload Disclaimer. When you upload your Scope of Loss or payout documents for review, do NOT upload your actual insurance policy. We review payout amounts and damage scopes only. Uploaded documents are used solely for estimating purposes and are not shared with third parties. Max 15 uploads per visitor. Files are auto-deleted after 90 days. See our Data Retention Policy.
Think Your Claim Was Underpaid?
Call P1Mitigators. We’ll review your scope of loss, identify what was missed, and tell you straight whether it’s worth pursuing. No BS, no obligation.