Quantification of material damage and adjustment

When a loss has occurred, the insurer usually proposes compensation based on the report of its own expert. If this figure does not reflect the actual damage, the insured can provide an independent expert report that quantifies the cost of repair or replacement using technical criteria.

Quantification is not just a list of prices: it involves describing the damage, defining the consequences, applying market criteria and justifying each item.

What is valued

The report clearly distinguishes:

• Structural and constructive damage.
• Damage to installations (electrical, plumbing, air conditioning).
• Damage to finishes (paint, floors, carpentry).
• Damage to content: furniture, appliances, belongings.
• Consequential damage: cleaning, drying, emergency measures.

In some cases, losses of use or temporary accommodation are also included, as long as they are contemplated in the policy.

Evaluation criteria

Prices are based on:

• Market budgets for the area.
• Updated construction price bases.
• Actual invoices, when they exist.
• Condition and age of the affected property.
• Depreciation applied, if applicable per policy.

Each item is carefully documented so that the company or the court can review it without ambiguity.

When the discrepancy appears

The discrepancy with the insurer is usually caused by:

• Differences in the scope of recognized damage.
• Application of prices lower than the actual cost of repair.
• Excessive depreciation on almost new assets.
• Items omitted by the company’s expert.
• Restrictive interpretation of the policy coverage.

The standalone expert report lists each difference with technical explanation, not generic statements.

Useful documentation

• Policy, general and particular conditions.
• Report from the company’s expert, if any.
• Photographs of the loss and the previous state.
• Invoices, tickets and content purchase documents.
• Repair estimates requested by the insured.

Adjustment with insurer

Sometimes, after providing the report, the company reviews its offer and an agreement is reached. Other times, the controversy continues and the contradictory expert opinion procedure provided for in the Insurance Contract Law is activated. At that point, coordination with a lawyer is necessary.

Limitations of the report

The report quantifies the damage. It does not set the compensation, which depends on the policy contracted. If there are doubts about coverage, deductibles or exclusions, the legal interpretation corresponds to legal advice.

Next steps

• See full process.
• Review the IRD specialty.
• Contact from contact or help center.