- Ran into this last year after a kitchen fire—client wanted upgraded cabinets, more durable materials. Insurer only covered “like for like,” even though the original stuff was falling apart.
- Tried showing long-term savings, but they just shrugged. Honestly feels like they’re stuck in the past half the time.
- I get budgets matter, but ignoring better options just creates more problems later... kind of a head-scratcher.
BUILDER INSURANCE—EVER WONDERED WHO COVERS THE MISHAPS?
I get where you’re coming from, but as someone who’s had to watch every penny after a house issue, I kinda see why insurers stick to “like for like.” Upgrades sound great, but those costs add up fast, especially if you’re not expecting them. When my bathroom flooded, I wanted better tiles, but the extra cost just wasn’t doable at the time. Maybe it’s not ideal, but sometimes sticking with basics is the only way to keep things manageable. Not saying it’s perfect, just... sometimes you gotta pick your battles.
BUILDER INSURANCE—EVER WONDERED WHO COVERS THE MISHAPS?
Totally get what you mean about sticking to basics. I’ve seen clients get excited about the idea of “upgrading” after a mishap, but the reality check comes fast when the quotes roll in. One time, a client’s kitchen ceiling collapsed (bad plumbing job), and they dreamed of a skylight. Insurance only covered the original drywall, so we had to get creative—patch up what was there, but add a splash of color or a new light fixture within budget. Sometimes you can sneak in a little personality without breaking the bank, but yeah, those big upgrades usually aren’t covered.
BUILDER INSURANCE—EVER WONDERED WHO COVERS THE MISHAPS?
That’s a classic scenario—people see an insurance claim as a chance to upgrade, but the policies are almost always about restoring what was there, not improving it. I’ve had clients ask if they could swap out standard fixtures for something high-end after water damage, and it’s usually a tough conversation. Still, like you said, there’s room for creativity within those constraints. Sometimes just changing the paint color or updating hardware can make the space feel new without stepping outside what insurance will cover. It’s not ideal, but it does force some clever problem-solving.
Sometimes just changing the paint color or updating hardware can make the space feel new without stepping outside what insurance will cover.
- 100% agree with that workaround. Insurance isn’t a free pass to go luxury, but you can squeeze a little “refresh” out of it if you’re clever.
- One thing I always push for: if something’s getting replaced anyway, why not go for greener materials? Swapping out old carpet for a low-VOC option, for example, usually doesn’t cost extra if you keep it in the same price range.
- It’s wild how many people think they’ll end up with a better house after a claim. Most of the time, you’re lucky if you get back to where you started...but hey, sometimes that’s an opportunity to make some eco-friendly upgrades (within reason).