Insurance Company Sends The Engineer-It's The Kiss Of Death!

  BELOW IS A LINK TO THE NATIONAL BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING IF YOU NEED TO FILE A COMPLAINT

 https://www.nspe.org/about/about-professional-engineering/licensing-boards

 What to Expect When Your Insurance Company Sends an Engineer

When your insurance company wants to send out their own engineer, it’s usually not in your best interest. In most cases, they are looking for reasons to minimize or deny your claim—especially the most expensive repairs. A quick Google search for “why is my insurance company sending an engineer to my house?” will show you countless stories of homeowners facing claim denials after these inspections.

These engineers are highly skilled professionals with deep knowledge of home construction. However, they don’t work for you—they work for the insurance company. Their job is to protect the insurer’s bottom line, often by identifying reasons to reduce or deny your claim. One of their favorite terms is “pre-existing condition,” which suggests that the damage existed before you filed your claim, giving the insurer a reason not to pay.

Insurance companies don’t send engineers out randomly. They are expensive, and insurers wouldn’t incur that cost unless they expected to save money in the long run. By hiring an engineer, the company is investing in a report that will likely minimize the extent of the damage, allowing them to justify paying you less—or nothing at all. And keep in mind, for these engineers to continue getting work from insurance companies, their reports often lean in the insurer’s favor.

Since insurance companies have the right to send an engineer, you must be prepared. Here’s what you should do:

• Have Your Own Expert Present: If possible, have your contractor or, even better, your own engineer attend the inspection. This can create a level playing field and may discourage the insurance company's engineer from making biased conclusions.
• Document Everything: Take photos, videos, and detailed notes before and after the engineer's visit. If your contractor has provided an estimate, keep it on hand.
• Challenge a Biased Report: If the engineer’s report is clearly inaccurate or unfairly slanted, consider filing a complaint with your state’s Professional Board of Engineering. Be precise in your complaint, include photos, contractor estimates, and any reports from your own engineer to strengthen your case.
• Seek Professional Help: If you’ve already hired an attorney or public adjuster, they likely have engineers they work with who can provide a second opinion.

Insurance companies operate with precision and strategy. They assume most homeowners won’t hire their own engineer because of the cost, making it easier for them to justify underpaying or denying claims. If your claim involves major repairs and you can afford it, hiring an independent engineer can be a wise investment.

Before your insurance company even sends their engineer, they likely already know what the report will say—it will support their decision to pay as little as possible. Being proactive, informed, and prepared can help ensure you get the settlement you deserve.

https://www.nspe.org/about/about-professional-engineering/licensing-boards