Navigating Discrepancies in Water Restoration Claims: A Personal Journey
Hello everyone,
Today, I’d like to share my ongoing experience with an insurance claim related to water restoration, hoping that others in a similar situation might find some guidance through my story. Recently, my finished basement—spanning 1,600 square feet—suffered a significant flood due to a sump pump failure. After promptly filing a claim with Nationwide Insurance, I encountered a puzzling discrepancy between the contractor’s bill and the review conducted by Accuserve.
Here’s where things get interesting:
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The Contractor’s Estimate: The restoration company that handled the drying process billed me for 50 air movers (fans), asserting that this was necessary to ensure proper drying of the space.
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Accuserve’s Review: Upon reviewing the same job, Accuserve, the third-party estimator, concluded that only 26 fans would suffice based on the measurements provided by the contractor.
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Dehumidifiers Discrepancy: Additionally, the contractor opted for higher-grade dehumidifiers than those deemed necessary by Accuserve, further inflating the bill.
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Cleaning Charges: The contractor also charged for cleaning and sanitizing all the equipment used, which my Nationwide agent indicated was unnecessary and not included in Accuserve’s estimate. While I found online references suggesting that cleaning might be standard for water backup situations, it raised some eyebrows.
Both the contractor and Accuserve utilized Xactimate software to generate their estimates, which is supposed to standardize pricing and calculations within the industry. Therefore, I’m left scratching my head over how their evaluations could differ so widely, with the contractor’s bill being significantly higher than Accuserve’s estimate.
My Questions
As I seek resolution regarding this situation, I have a few key questions:
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Understanding the Discrepancy: If both parties employed the same room measurements and software (Xactimate), what could account for such a stark difference in the number of fans and equipment utilized?
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Challenging the Contractor: Is it reasonable to request a reevaluation from the contractor regarding the use of excessive or unnecessary equipment?
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Best Approach for Resolution: What is the most effective way to communicate with the contractor about these concerns? Should I address this directly with them, go through my insurance agency, or consider another avenue to avoid escalating the matter further?
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