Most insurers and many contractors price repairs with Xactimate. The estimates look intimidating, but they follow a consistent structure. Reading an Xactimate estimate carefully is the first step in spotting a short claim.
The structure
- Summary page: totals for replacement cost, depreciation, actual cash value, deductible and net payment.
- Areas: the estimate is organized by room or area, such as Roof, Kitchen or Exterior.
- Line items: each line shows a description, quantity, unit price, tax, O&P, RCV, depreciation and ACV.
What to check first
- Quantities: do roof squares, wall area and floor area match your property?
- Missing items: underlayment, drip edge, flashing, permits and detach-and-reset items are commonly missed.
- Depreciation: is it reasonable for the item’s age? Is it applied to items that shouldn’t be depreciated?
- O&P: is it included where several trades are needed?
- Price list date: is the price list current for your area?
Ask for the full estimate
Some insurers send only a summary. Ask in writing for the complete, itemized estimate including the photo sheet and sketch.
When to get help
If the estimate seems short but you can’t pin down why, an insurance estimate review can identify the gaps and their value.