When the carrier sends a settlement offer, it is easy to focus on the total dollar amount and miss the details that determine whether it will actually cover your repairs. The settlement is a line-by-line document, and every missing or suppressed line item represents money you are leaving on the table. Here is exactly how to inspect your claim settlement before you sign.
Never Sign Without Review
Review the Coverage Determination
Know Your Policy Inside and Out
Examine Each Line Item
Xactimate Is the Standard — Know How to Read It
Challenge Improper Depreciation
Depreciation Can Cost Thousands
Verify Code Upgrades & Additional Expenses
The 10% Code Upgrade Rule
Key Takeaways
Never sign a settlement without reviewing every line item in the carrier's estimate.
Verify the carrier correctly identified covered damages and applied all policy endorsements.
Check for missing line items, under-quantified areas, and suppressed unit prices.
Depreciation should only apply to the remaining useful life of undamaged components.
Code upgrades (10% rule), debris removal, and ALE are commonly overlooked coverages.
Drew — Licensed Public Adjuster
Reviewed: October 25, 2026Licensed in Florida and Texas, Drew has helped over 1,500 homeowners recover denied and underpaid insurance claims.