What if insurance check is less than repairs?

Asked by: Nolan Olson  |  Last update: October 22, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (26 votes)

Initiate arbitration with your insurance company. Every insurance contract includes an arbitration clause, allowing you to dispute the initial estimate if the company refuses to cover the full repair cost. Arbitration is a less formal legal proceeding that takes place out of court.

What if my insurance claim check is not enough?

You have rights under your insurance company to receive all of the benefits for which you have paid insurance premiums. If the insurance company and its insurance claims adjuster have undervalued your claim, you should immediately contact a lawyer to review your case.

What if insurance doesn't pay enough for repairs?

Consider Mediation or Appraisal

In some cases, a third-party mediator or appraiser may be able to help resolve disputes over the value of your insurance claim. Many insurance policies include an appraisal clause, which allows both you and the insurance company to hire independent appraisers to assess the damage.

What to do if an insurance estimate is too low?

File a Complaint With Your State's Department of Insurance

For example, filing a complaint with the California Department of Insurance is straightforward. You can complete and submit a Request for Assistance form or call them at 1-800-927-4357 for assistance.

What if insurance settlement is not enough?

Take Them to Court

You can file a lawsuit when the insurance settlement offer is too low. You can also file a lawsuit if attempts at discussion and negotiation fail. Starting an injury suit doesn't necessarily mean that negotiations are over.

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17 related questions found

How do you respond to a settlement offer that is too low?

Gather and present evidence to support your claim for higher damages. Negotiate skillfully with the insurance adjuster to work towards a fair settlement. Advise you on when to accept an offer and when to keep fighting for more money. If needed, file a lawsuit and represent you in court to get the damages you deserve.

Can I keep my homeowners insurance claim check and make the repairs myself?

Can I keep my homeowners insurance claim check and make the repairs myself? Your ability to complete your repairs on your own will depend on your policy and the nature of the repairs. Many insurance companies will allow you to complete simple repairs yourself, though they may require supervision.

What if the insurance check is less than the repairs?

Q: Your insurance check is less than the insurance adjusters preliminary estimate of repair. Now what? A: The difference between the adjuster's preliminary estimate and the check is your insurance deductible. It is your responsibility to pay your deductible to the shop much like you would pay your physician a co-pay.

How do you respond to a lowball offer from an insurance company?

If you have determined to respond to a low settlement offer yourself, consider the following:
  1. Stay polite and professional. We understand it's a frustrating and emotional process. ...
  2. Ask questions. ...
  3. Offer the facts. ...
  4. Put your response in writing. ...
  5. Don't be bullied.

What if repairs cost more than an estimate?

The definition of a totaled vehicle varies by state. California is what is called a total loss formula state. This means a vehicle is determined to be a total loss if the cost of repairs (your $7,000) plus the scrap value of the vehicle is greater or equal to the actual cash value of the vehicle.

Can you sue an insurance company for not paying enough?

If you're not satisfied with the outcome of your dispute, you have the right to sue the insurance company in a court of law. You can use these resources to find legal help. You can also ask for alternative dispute resolution, which uses mediation with a neutral third party to settle disputes outside court.

How to get more money out of an insurance claim?

Steps to Argue for More Money on Your Total Loss Claim
  1. Ask for the Valuation Report.
  2. Research the Comparables on the Valuation Report.
  3. Dispute Any Condition Adjustments on the Comparables.
  4. Send Your Own Comparables to the Adjuster.
  5. Consider Hiring an Appraiser.

What happens if you don't agree with an insurance adjuster?

File a Complaint: If necessary, file a complaint with the insurance company or regulatory authorities. Don't Settle for Less: Refrain from accepting a low settlement offer without proper evaluation. Be Prepared for Legal Action: If negotiations fail, be ready to file a lawsuit to protect your interests.

Can I just keep the money from an insurance claim?

You definitely can keep the money and not repair it, but you may have received less than you entitled to. The adjuster only pays the visible damage he sees on the outside, and any internal damage will need to be filed a secondary to get reimbursed.

What to do if insurance doesn't pay enough?

Try To Negotiate With the Insurance Company
  1. Appeal to Emotions. You may be surprised to discover that insurance companies aren't all about numbers. ...
  2. Prepare a Counteroffer. ...
  3. Present a Written Estimate for Repairs. ...
  4. Get Your Settlement in Writing.

What happens if I don't use my insurance money to fix my roof?

If you don't complete repairs or a replacement, however, your insurance provider will likely just decide to no longer cover your roof. This means if another storm deals further damage, you won't be covered and will have to pay for the replacement out of pocket.

Do insurance adjusters try to lowball you?

Insurance adjusters are often given bonuses or other incentives based on how much money they save the company by getting claimants to accept low settlements. Making lowball offers is a key way insurers try to minimize payouts and protect their bottom line.

How do I reject a low settlement offer?

If you choose to reject the low settlement offer, you must communicate your decision to the claims adjuster. Your legal representative can help you write a letter that states your intentions. Within the letter, you can indicate that you reject the offer and highlight why you deserve a higher settlement amount.

How do you respond to a ridiculously low offer?

Being honest and direct is important when you receive a low ball offer and make it clear that you believe the offer to be too far below market value. Do not respond right away; let them know that you will get back to them. Consider what strategy might work best.

Do you have to use all insurance money for repairs?

Are you legally required to use the money to pay for repairs, or can you pocket it and call it a day? The short answer is that yes, you can choose to do whatever you want with the insurance money, but you need to ask yourself whether or not this is the best decision.

What if repair is less than excess?

If the damage to your vehicle is minor, and the cost of repairing it is less than your excess, lodging a claim is unnecessary. You can still have a claims adjustor make an assessment of the damage so you have an accurate idea of the bill you're facing, but without any obligation to file a claim.

What if my insurance settlement is not enough?

Your lawyer can submit a fair counteroffer, then go back and forth with the insurance company until the lawyer is satisfied. If the settlement is never enough for your losses, your lawyer can take your personal injury case to trial.

What not to say to a home claims adjuster?

Topics to Avoid When Speaking to a Home Insurance Adjuster
  • Speculation about the Cause of Damage. Avoid making guesses or unsupported statements about what caused the damage to your property. ...
  • Admitting Fault or Liability. ...
  • Discussing Other Insurance Claims. ...
  • Incomplete Information. ...
  • Legal Threats or Litigation.

Can I keep extra homeowners insurance claim money?

Any excess home insurance claim money is legally yours, provided that you did not commit insurance fraud to obtain the additional amount, or if your insurance company doesn't expect the funds to be returned.

Does insurance need proof of repairs?

Insurance companies may require proof of professional repairs to ensure that they meet safety and quality standards. Using a licensed contractor also helps protect you from liability if something goes wrong during the repair process.