Matching

Matching comes up when covered damage is repaired with new material that does not look like the old. New shingles are a different shade, discontinued siding cannot be bought, replacement flooring does not blend. The question is whether the insurer must also pay for undamaged material so the area looks uniform.

A policy that pays replacement cost says to repair or replace with materials of like kind and quality, which does not itself promise a match. The NAIC's model claims-settlement regulation, though, calls for replacing items in the affected area so the result has a reasonably uniform appearance when replacements do not match in quality, color or size. States have adopted that idea in different ways. Some have rules or statutes, others leave it to the policy and the courts, and the terms "area" and "uniform" are often disputed.

Say hail damages the shingles on one slope of a roof and the discontinued shingle cannot be matched (hypothetical). Your state's rules decide whether the insurer pays for that slope only or for the whole roof.

Ask the adjuster in writing whether matching applies, and back your case with a contractor's statement that the product is unavailable. Check your state's rule with the department of insurance. The guide matching: when new shingles or siding don't match covers the arguments.