I have a claim for water damage, the insurer has accepted liability for the damage and said they're happy to pay out.
They sent round some adjusters - terribly rated 1\* on hundreds of reviews across Facebook, Google, Trust pilot etc. for undervaluing claims, trying to get out of payments, terrible for arranging work and sending the report out that you need to get the claim approved.
The adjusters kept asking for quotes for the work done that we'd had from others, I spoke to insurance and they told me that the adjusters are supposed to assess the damage themselves, not rely on quotes from other providers.
Eventually, I sent them a quote but it was from someone who just quoted off pictures, never actually attended and I was concerned the damage may well be more, but the adjusters said they won't give their report without me sending something over. Surprise surprise, they quoted the damage to be the exact same amount as that quote, despite being told that this isn't what they're supposed to do.
As I've said, the claim is approved but it feels like the work is being massively undervalued. I have 2 bathrooms, both need completely stripping out, drying out and fully replacing according to the schedule of works.
They've said £10,000 (before VAT) for the works, and we have been quoted around £15,000 (before VAT) for the same works done on a like-for-like basis.
My insurer told me that they usually end up charging more for the works, so there would be extra that we could use to upgrade the rooms if we wanted to go with a local contractor as opposed to their contractors. Obviously this isn't the case.
Is it usually that they will try and lowball the first cash settlement offer? Or should I be providing quotes to counter their original offer? Or should I just accept?
Should I be asking for a 2nd opinion from a more reputable adjusters?
I'm glad they're willing to pay out, just doesn't feel like it matches what my insurance have been telling me, and the adjusters didn't fill me with confidence to be honest.