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Getting an approval is great news — but it's just the beginning. Most homeowners don't realize there are critical steps between an approved claim and money in hand for repairs. Here's exactly what to do next.
Insurance companies send an approval letter with an initial payment. That first check is almost never the full amount you're owed. Do not sign any release or accept a final settlement until Fortified has reviewed your scope. We find additional covered damage on nearly every job.
Your insurer sends a document called the Scope of Loss or Estimate of Repair. Every line item matters. Items that are missing from this list are items you won't get paid for.
Cashing an insurance check can sometimes be treated as accepting the settlement. Call us first — we'll review the scope and make sure nothing is left on the table.
If you have RCV coverage, a portion of your payment is held back until work is complete. We help you file for that release — most homeowners never collect it on their own.
Once we inspect the damage against the insurer's scope, we frequently find items that were missed. We file a Supplement directly with your insurance company — at no additional cost to you.
On an approved claim, your only out-of-pocket cost is your deductible. We work from the insurance proceeds. Any contractor asking for more upfront is a red flag.
Bring us your approval letter and we take it from there. We match our scope to your claim, schedule the work, and handle all communication with your insurer through completion.
Most homeowners have never filed a property damage claim before. Here's exactly how it works from the moment you notice damage to the day your home is fully restored.
Before you call your insurance company, call us. We'll do a free inspection and document everything properly. Filing without documentation leaves money on the table from day one.
We assess the full scope of damage with photos, written reports, and measurements — the same language your adjuster speaks. This becomes your evidence package.
We walk you through the claim filing process step by step, help you complete the paperwork correctly, and make sure nothing gets omitted that could reduce your settlement.
Your insurance company sends an adjuster to assess the damage. We are on site with you. We make sure the full scope is captured and push back professionally on anything that's missed or undercounted.
The insurer sends their estimate. We compare it line by line against our scope. If items are missing or underfunded, we file a Supplement — this is common and we handle it at no charge.
Once the scope is agreed and approved, we schedule your job. We provide a written contract that matches your insurance scope exactly — no surprises, no gaps, no hidden costs.
Our licensed crews complete the work to manufacturer specs and Alabama code. We keep you updated throughout and don't close the job until you're fully satisfied.
After work is complete, we file to release any held depreciation (RCV holdback) directly with your insurer. We handle all closeout paperwork so you collect every dollar you're entitled to.
Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company — not for you. That doesn't mean they're dishonest, but their job is to assess the minimum necessary repair. Our job is to make sure the full picture is on the table.
An employee of your insurance company. They handle high volume and may miss items — not out of malice, but because they're moving fast. Having us on-site slows that down in your favor.
A contractor hired by your insurer to handle claims. They are paid per claim — and their relationship with the insurer depends on keeping settlements reasonable. Know this going in.
Works for you, not the insurer. They take a percentage of your settlement (typically 10–15%). Fortified often achieves the same result through supplementing — at no percentage fee.
Soft metal damage (gutters, vents, flashing), interior water damage from roof penetrations, decking damage under shingles, code upgrade requirements, drip edge, and ventilation issues.
Once your claim is filed and inspected, the processing phase begins. This is where most of the money is won or lost — and where Fortified's experience pays off directly for you.
We compare the insurer's written estimate against our full scope line by line — flagging anything that's underfunded, missing, or incorrectly depreciated.
We file a Supplement directly with your insurance company for any items that were missed. This is standard practice and does not jeopardize your claim.
If the insurer pushes back on the supplement, we negotiate professionally with documentation, code citations, and manufacturer specs to support every line item.
We write our contract to exactly match the approved insurance scope — so you're never surprised by a gap between what insurance pays and what we charge.
Once scope is agreed, we schedule and complete all work. We document the completed job with photos and reports for your records and the insurer's file.
After work is done, we file to release the held depreciation — the money your insurer is holding until repairs are verified complete. Most homeowners miss this check entirely.
This is the single most misunderstood part of a homeowner's insurance policy. Whether you have RCV or ACV coverage determines how much money you actually receive — and the difference can be thousands of dollars.
What it is: ACV pays you what your damaged property is worth today — after depreciation for age and wear. A 15-year-old roof that costs $20,000 to replace might only get you $8,000 under ACV.
The problem: You are responsible for the gap between the ACV payment and the actual cost to repair. This can be thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket.
What it is: RCV pays the full cost to repair or replace damaged property with new materials — regardless of the age or condition of what was damaged. This is the coverage you want.
How it works: The insurer pays in two parts. First they pay ACV (minus your deductible). After repairs are completed, they release the held depreciation — the "holdback."
If you have RCV coverage, the $5,000 in the example above is yours — but only after repairs are completed and documented. Your insurer will not send it automatically. You must request it with proof of completion. Fortified handles this filing for every customer. Homeowners who hire other contractors and don't know to ask for this check simply never receive it. On a large claim that can be $5,000–$15,000 left uncollected.
1. Pull out your homeowner's policy declarations page (the first 2–3 pages of your policy).
2. Look for "Dwelling Coverage" or "Coverage A." Next to it you'll see either "Replacement Cost" or "Actual Cash Value."
3. Not sure? Call us — we read policies every day and can tell you in 60 seconds what you have and what it means for your claim.
Call (256) 255-4523 — Free Policy ReviewDon't sign anything until you talk to us. A free inspection costs you nothing — but it could mean thousands more in your pocket.
Call (256) 255-4523