Re-inspection

More claims & insurance terms

• Proximate cause

  The event the law treats as the direct cause of the damage, even when other conditions contributed. Carriers use it to decide coverage, so document the chain from the storm or event to the damage rather than only the damage itself.

• Public adjuster

  An adjuster hired by the policyholder, not the carrier, to document the damage and negotiate the claim on their behalf.

• Rebuttal

  A written, evidence-backed response explaining why the carrier's estimate does not fully cover the loss.

• Reopened claim

  A closed claim that the carrier puts back into active status, usually because new damage, a supplement, or a missed item surfaced after payment. Reopening has its own time limits and documentation rules that vary by carrier and state, so ask what they require before resubmitting.

• Replacement cost value

  What it costs to repair or replace the damage with like kind and quality at today's prices, without deducting for age. Most policies pay it only after the work is done and invoiced, so keep receipts and completion photos to collect the recoverable depreciation.

• Reservation of rights

  A letter in which the carrier says it is still investigating coverage and may deny the claim later. It is not a denial, but it means every dollar needs documentation, so keep working the file and answer requests on time.

Common questions