Supplements: Getting Paid for What the Adjuster Could Not See
Your contractor pulls up the kitchen flooring and finds mold on the subfloor and rotted joists underneath. None of this was visible during the adjuster's inspection. This is exactly what supplements are for, and they are a normal, expected part of almost every major claim.
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Read more → that expand the scope, these get discovered during construction, not during the initial walkthrough. Supplements are standard in the industry. Multiple rounds are common on larger projects. If your contractor finds something unexpected and there's no supplement process, that's money you won't see.
Why supplements exist
Your original estimate is based on what the adjuster could see during the initial inspection. Walls were closed. Flooring was in place.
The subfloor was hidden. Supplements cover what couldn't be seen until demolition or construction began. This isn't adversarial.
It's expected. A good contractor documents new findings with photos and measurements as they're discovered and communicates them to you and the adjuster promptly.
- Mold or rot discovered behind walls or under cabinets
- Subfloor damage found after removing surface flooring
- Structural framing repairs for water-damaged studs or joists
- Code upgrades required by the building inspector after permits are pulled
- Material matching that expands the flooring or painting scope
- Additional drying time beyond the initial estimate
How to submit one
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Read more → prepares a supplemental XactimateXactimate: The Software Behind Every Insurance EstimateXactimate is the industry-standard software used by insurers, contractors, and public adjusters to price repair work. It contains thousands of line...
Read more → estimate covering only the new items. Each item includes supporting photos and a brief explanation of why it's needed. The supplement goes to your adjuster by email or through the insurer's portal.
Include before-and-after photos showing the hidden condition that was revealed. Clear documentation speeds up approval. Vague requests get delayed.
Timing and approval
Supplement approval typically takes 7-21 days. Some insurers handle it through desk review without a site visit. Others send the adjuster back to inspect the additional damage in person.
If the discovery is urgent, mold found during demolition for example, communicate the urgency to your adjuster immediately. Delays in supplement approval are one of the biggest causes of overall project timeline slippage. Stay on top of it.
Follow up weekly.
Protect yourself during the process
When your contractor finds something unexpected, the first step is to stop work in that area. Don't let them fix it before documenting it. You need the evidence to support the supplement.
Photos from multiple angles showing the condition. Measurements. A written description.
Have the supplement prepared and submitted within a week of discovery. If you don't hear back from your adjuster within two weeks, follow up. Keep a record of every supplement with its submission date, contents, and approval status.
Quick-check your estimate
- Tell your contractor to stop and document immediately when they find something new
- Photograph hidden damage from multiple angles before any further work
- Have the supplement prepared and submitted within one week of discovery
- Follow up with your adjuster if there is no response within two weeks
- Keep a running log of all supplements submitted, with dates and approval status
- Never let a contractor proceed on unapproved supplement work without understanding the risk
See how this applies to your property
Upload photos of your damage and get a detailed analysis showing exactly where your estimate may fall short.