ClaimSpark’s Blog

Built for the Roof

Tips, guides, and insights for roofing contractors on estimates, supplements, insurance claims, and getting paid what you deserve.

Roofing Insurance Laws by State

A primary-sourced reference for all 51 states: labor depreciation in ACV, matching requirements, deductible rebating, and whether you can negotiate a claim.

August 9, 20269 min readTyler Price

Steep and High Roof Charges in Xactimate: How They Actually Work

Xactimate's steep-slope surcharges start at 7/12, not 4/12, and run in three tiers. Here's what the line items say, how they're applied per square, and why they go missing from estimates.

August 2, 202613 min readTyler Price

The Contractor's Guide to Roofing Insurance Estimates

An insurance estimate isn't a bid — it's a documented argument for what the job actually requires. Here's how a roofing estimate is built, line by line, and where the money usually goes missing.

July 31, 20269 min readTyler Price

Ordinance or Law Coverage: How to Get Roof Code Upgrades Paid

Adjusters scope roofs 'like for like,' but current building code often requires more than what was there. Ordinance or Law coverage pays that gap — here's what it covers on a roof and how to claim it.

July 29, 20268 min readTyler Price

Xactimate Labor Categories: RFG vs. DMO, and Why They Matter

When roofing tear-off gets priced under Xactimate's demolition (DMO) labor instead of roofing (RFG), the removal comes in at about half its real cost. Here's why it happens and how to supplement for it.

July 27, 20269 min readTyler Price

RCV vs. ACV vs. Recoverable Depreciation, Explained

The first insurance check is almost never the full payout. Here's what RCV, ACV, and recoverable depreciation actually mean on a roof claim — and how to make sure you collect all of it.

July 25, 202610 min readTyler Price

Overhead and Profit (O&P): When Insurance Owes It and How to Prove It

Insurers strip overhead and profit off roof claims using the 'three-trade rule.' That rule isn't law — and Xactimate's own maker doesn't endorse it. Here's when O&P is owed, when it isn't, and how to get it paid.

March 7, 202611 min readTyler Price

How to Document Roof Damage for Insurance Claims (Photo Checklist)

The quality of your photo documentation directly determines whether your supplement gets approved or denied. Here's the complete shot-by-shot checklist contractors need for every claim.

February 21, 202612 min readTyler Price

How to Fight a Lowball Insurance Estimate on a Roof Claim

When the insurance estimate comes in too low, most contractors accept it or walk away. Here's how to fight back with documentation, supplements, and escalation paths that actually work.

February 7, 202610 min readTyler Price

10 Line Items Insurance Adjusters Miss on Every Roof Estimate

Most insurance roof estimates are missing thousands of dollars in legitimate line items. Here are the 10 most commonly missed items and how to supplement for them.

January 24, 20268 min readTyler Price

What Is a Roofing Supplement? A Contractor's Complete Guide

A roofing supplement is a request for additional funds from an insurance company when the initial estimate falls short. Learn how supplements work, when to file one, and how to get them approved.

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