Why review an estimate first
Insurance estimates are long, coded documents. Missing items, low quantities, and unexplained depreciation are easy to overlook, and many owners accept a payment without knowing what was left out. A review can clarify whether the gap is large enough to pursue, what evidence would support it, and whether appraisal is a sensible next step.
A review is also useful when you have a contractor’s bid that is much higher than the carrier’s estimate. Comparing the two line by line often reveals that the difference is mostly scope, not price.
What we check
Scope
- Every damaged area included: all roof slopes, all elevations, all affected rooms.
- Necessary related work: removal, disposal, protection, cleanup, permits.
- Collateral items like evaporative coolers, skylights, gutters, canales and fences.
- Code-required upgrades where the policy provides ordinance-or-law coverage.
Quantities
- Roof area, waste factor and pitch, checked with the roof area and pitch converter.
- Wall and ceiling square footage, linear footage of trim and baseboard.
- Stucco area, including whether the full elevation was measured for a uniform finish.
Pricing and calculations
- Unit prices compared with current local costs in your part of New Mexico.
- Labor minimums, steep and high charges, and specialty trades.
- Overhead and profit, sales tax and depreciation, compared with your policy’s terms.
- Deductible applied correctly; see the percentage deductible converter for percentage deductibles.
What you receive
We provide a written summary of the main gaps we found, organized by category, with notes on what documentation would support each item. Where the difference appears significant, we explain your general options, which may include asking the carrier to reinspect, submitting supporting documentation, or invoking the appraisal clause.
Using the review
- Talk to your adjuster. Many gaps can be resolved by sending a supplement with photos and measurements.
- Estimate your net recovery. The claim gap and net recovery estimator shows what an increase might mean after the deductible and costs.
- Consider appraisal. If the carrier accepts coverage but won’t move on amount, see appraisal clause representation.
- Get legal advice where needed. If the disagreement is about coverage or claim handling, a New Mexico attorney is the right resource.
Your rights as a policyholder
The New Mexico Insurance Code lists unfair claims practices, and the Office of Superintendent of Insurance takes consumer complaints. New Mexico courts also recognize bad-faith claims in some circumstances. We don’t give legal advice or predict outcomes; an attorney can explain how these rules apply to your situation.
Who a New Mexico insurance estimate review helps
Homeowners comparing a carrier estimate with a contractor bid, property managers checking a supplement, and associations weighing whether to invoke appraisal all benefit from the same thing: a clear, itemized explanation of where the numbers differ and why. A New Mexico insurance estimate review gives you that before you decide anything, so the next conversation with your adjuster is about specific lines rather than a single total.
Getting started
Send the full carrier estimate, not just the summary page, along with your policy, photos and any contractor bids. Terms like RCV, ACV and O&P are explained in claim terms A to Z, and common questions are answered in frequently asked. When you’re ready, contact us.
Questions about claim estimate review
Do I need a review before invoking appraisal?
It isn’t required, but a review helps you understand the size of the gap and the evidence behind it before committing to appraisal costs.
Will you contact my insurer?
A review is for your information. We do not negotiate with your insurer as part of a review, and we do not act as a public adjuster.
What if my contractor’s bid is much higher?
That is common. We compare the bid and the carrier’s estimate line by line to see whether the difference is scope, quantity or price.