Question 1

Will my homeowner's insurance cover water, fire, or storm damage?

Accepted Answer

Most standard homeowner's policies in Georgia cover sudden and accidental damage from burst pipes, appliance failures, fire, smoke, wind, and hail. Gradual leaks, lack of maintenance, and flood (rising surface water) are typically excluded. Estate Solutions documents every loss in Xactimate — the same estimating software your adjuster uses — so covered damage is fully accounted for.

Question 2

How quickly do I need to file a claim after damage occurs?

Accepted Answer

Report the loss to your carrier within 24–48 hours. Most policies require 'prompt notice,' and delays give insurers grounds to reduce or deny payment. Take photos and video first, stop the source of damage if safe to do so, then call your carrier for a claim number and the assigned adjuster.

Question 3

What is the difference between ACV and RCV on my policy?

Accepted Answer

Actual Cash Value (ACV) is replacement cost minus depreciation — what your damaged property was worth the moment before the loss. Replacement Cost Value (RCV) is the full cost to replace it with new materials. RCV policies pay in two checks: an initial ACV check, then the recoverable depreciation once the work is complete and invoiced.

Question 4

What is an insurance supplement and will my claim need one?

Accepted Answer

A supplement is an addendum to the original insurance estimate covering damage discovered after work begins or items the adjuster missed. Most restoration claims require at least one supplement. We submit them with photographic evidence, building-code references, and Xactimate line items so the carrier can approve quickly.

Question 5

Do I have to use the contractor my insurance company recommends?

Accepted Answer

No. You have the legal right to choose your own licensed contractor in Georgia. Insurance companies can recommend preferred vendors, but they cannot require you to use them. An independent licensed contractor like Estate Solutions (License #RBQA006428) advocates for the homeowner.

Question 6

Do I need a public adjuster?

Accepted Answer

Public adjusters represent you in negotiations and typically charge 10–20% of the claim. In many cases a licensed restoration contractor that writes accurate Xactimate scopes and prepares supplements can achieve the same or better settlement at no additional cost to you. Public adjusters can still be valuable on large, complex, or disputed claims.

Question 7

What if my insurance claim is denied?

Accepted Answer

Denied claims can often be reopened with better documentation, an engineering report, a reinspection, or assistance from a public adjuster or attorney. We help homeowners gather the evidence — moisture readings, cause-of-loss documentation, code citations — that turns denials into approvals.

Question 8

Who pays my deductible — me or the contractor?

Accepted Answer

The homeowner is legally responsible for the deductible. Under Georgia law it is insurance fraud for a contractor to waive, rebate, or absorb your deductible. Estate Solutions collects deductibles transparently and applies them to the project invoice.

Question 9

What does mortgage company endorsement on the claim check mean?

Accepted Answer

If you have a mortgage, claim checks over a certain threshold are usually issued jointly to you and your lender. The mortgage company endorses the check and may release funds in draws as work is completed. We coordinate with mortgage loss-draft departments to keep the project funded on schedule.

Question 10

How long do I have to complete repairs and recover depreciation?

Accepted Answer

Most policies give 180 days to two years from the date of loss to complete repairs and submit final invoices to recover withheld depreciation. Check your specific policy. We track these deadlines on every claim so no recoverable depreciation is left on the table.

Question 11

Will filing a claim raise my insurance premium?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your carrier, your claim history, and the type of loss. Single weather-related claims usually have minimal impact; multiple claims in a short period can. Discuss this with your agent before filing for very small losses where the repair cost is close to your deductible.

Question 12

What is matching coverage and why does it matter for roofing and siding?

Accepted Answer

Matching coverage requires the insurer to repair damage so the result reasonably matches the surrounding undamaged property. For roofing, siding, and flooring this often means replacing full elevations or rooms — not just patching the damaged section. Georgia has specific guidance on matching; we cite it in supplements when adjusters propose mismatched patch repairs.

Insurance Claim FAQ — Your Questions Answered

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