What Is a Supplement Request Letter and When Should a Public Adjuster Send One?
A supplement request letter is a formal written document submitted to an insurance carrier requesting additional payment for damage that was not included in the original claim settlement. Supplements arise when additional damage is discovered during the repair process, when the original estimate did not account for code upgrades or hidden damage, or when material and labor costs have increased since the original estimate was prepared.
Supplements are a normal and expected part of the claims process — most large property claims require at least one supplement. The key is documenting the additional damage thoroughly and submitting the supplement request in a format the carrier will accept.
When to File a Supplement Request
A supplement request is appropriate in four situations: when a contractor discovers additional damage during demolition or repair that was not visible during the initial inspection; when the original estimate did not include code upgrade items that are required by current building codes; when material costs have increased materially since the original estimate (particularly relevant in periods of high inflation); and when the carrier's original estimate excluded line items that are clearly covered under the policy.
What a Supplement Request Letter Must Include
A complete supplement request letter identifies the original claim (policy number, claim number, date of loss, original settlement amount), describes the additional damage or omitted items in detail, provides updated Xactimate line items or contractor estimates for the supplemental work, explains why the additional items were not included in the original estimate (hidden damage, code upgrade, price increase), and states the total supplemental amount requested. Supporting documentation — photographs, contractor invoices, code citations — should be attached.
Supplement Requests and Carrier Resistance
Carriers sometimes resist supplement requests, particularly when the original claim has already been paid and closed. The most effective supplement requests anticipate this resistance by documenting the specific reason the additional damage was not discoverable during the original inspection, citing the policy provision that covers the supplemental items, and providing a contractor's written explanation of why the additional work is necessary. A supplement request that reads like a demand letter — specific, documented, and citing the policy — is far more likely to be approved than one that simply asks for more money.
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See also: How to Write a Supplement Request Letter, What Is a Scope of Loss Report?, The Complete Guide to Demand Letters.
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