Insurance Claim Compass

Overview

People lose real money not on coverage but on claiming: they throw away the burst pipe before the adjuster visits, forget the police report number on a theft, accept a first ACV offer without understanding depreciation, and never learn the word "appraisal". Claim payouts swing 30-50% on documentation quality alone.

This skill is the after-loss instrument (its sibling skill insurance-gap-auditor runs before loss, checking whether a scenario is even covered):

1. document — loss-type-specific evidence checklist + photo shot-list
   • first-24h do/don't list.
2. letter — first notice of loss, written to create a paper trail the same day.
3. value — ACV depreciation math on inventory items (item-class life tables) and the RCV-recoverable gap.
4. timeline — typical milestones and their statutory-ish bounds.
5. appeal — lowball/denial response ladder with generated letters.

Pure stdlib, offline. Not legal advice; deadlines vary by state/country — the tool flags where to verify.

When to Use

• Any fresh loss you're about to report to an insurer
• "The adjuster is coming tomorrow — what do I photograph?"
• An offer arrived that feels low, or the claim was denied
• Rebuilding a contents inventory from memory after fire/theft
• "What's the difference between ACV and RCV on my claim?"

Don't use for: disasters with mass-casualty/life-safety issues (911/emergency services first, always), or as a substitute for reading your policy's declarations page — this structures the work; the policy governs.

How It Works — Numbered Steps

1. Stabilize, then build the evidence file for YOUR loss type:

   python3 scripts/claim_navigator.py document --type water
   python3 scripts/claim_navigator.py document --type theft
   

   Follow the shot-list BEFORE cleaning up anything, and obey the DO-NOT list (never discard damaged items or receipts before the adjuster authorizes it — "we couldn't verify" is the #1 denial).
2. Notify the insurer in writing the same day:

   python3 scripts/claim_navigator.py letter --type home \
       --loss "burst supply pipe, kitchen" --date 2026-10-10 \
       --policy HP-2026-118 --amount 3800 > claim_letter.txt
   

3. Value your contents honestly:

   python3 scripts/claim_navigator.py value --item "washing machine" \
       --purchase 2019 --price 900
   python3 scripts/claim_navigator.py value --item "55in TV" \
       --purchase 2021 --price 1200 --rcv
   

4. Track the clock:

   python3 scripts/claim_navigator.py timeline --type home
   

5. If the offer is wrong — don't argue on the phone; climb the ladder:

   python3 scripts/claim_navigator.py appeal --reason lowball \
       --offer 2100 --estimate 3800 > appeal_letter.txt
   

Depreciation Model (what value computes)

Straight-line over item-class life, 10% salvage floor — the same shape adjusters' software uses:

ACV = price × max(0.10, 1 − age/life). With an RCV policy you recover the withheld depreciation ONLY after replacing the item and sending receipts — the tool prints the recoverable gap so you know what to chase.

Common Pitfalls

1. Cleaning up too early. Mitigate (stop the water, dry), but keep the failed part and everything damaged until the adjuster releases them. Photograph first, always.
2. Phone-only notice. Oral claims vanish. Same-day written notice with policy number creates the legal clock.
3. Accepting the first ACV check as final when your policy is RCV — the depreciation holdback is recoverable with replacement receipts.
4. No proof of ownership. Bank/photo evidence beats memory. Receipts, then card statements, then photos of the item in your home.
5. Throwing away receipts for mitigation (drying fans, tarp, plumber) — emergency mitigation is usually reimbursable.
6. Skipping the itemized explanation demand. Insurers must explain line-item deductions on request; unexplained line items frequently dissolve on appeal.
7. Ignoring the appraisal clause. For large gaps it forces a neutral umpire valuation — cheaper than a lawyer, faster than court.
8. Signing a release to get a quick check if you believe the loss is larger. Ask what the release covers before signing.

Example

$ claim_navigator.py value --item "55in TV" --purchase 2021 --price 1200 --rcv
55in TV (electronics, life 5 yr), purchased 2021 → age 5 yr
  ACV settlement:   $120.00  (100% depreciated, salvage floor 10%)
  RCV replacement: $1200.00
  Recoverable holdback: $1080.00 — replace, send receipts, reclaim.

$ claim_navigator.py appeal --reason lowball --offer 2100 --estimate 3800
GAP: $1700.00 (offer is 55% of your estimate)
LADDER:
 1. Demand written itemization of every deduction (7-day deadline)
 2. Independent contractor estimate + photos resubmitted
 3. Appraisal clause (gap > $1000 recommended)
 4. State DOI complaint (free, tracked, insurers respond fast)
 ...appeal letter drafted → stdout

Verification Checklist

• Evidence photographed BEFORE cleanup; failed part retained
• Written notice sent with policy number + date
• Contents inventory valued with class-life math, receipts attached
• Mitigation receipts kept
• If disputed: itemization demand → estimate → appraisal → DOI