730% Settlement Increase for Multi-Building Agricultural Property

February 20, 2023

How Premier Claims Achieved a 730% Settlement Increase for a Nebraska Poultry Farm

When a severe hail and windstorm swept through rural Nebraska, it caused extensive damage to a large poultry operation. Roofs across multiple chicken and broiler houses were compromised, insulation was soaked, and repairs were urgently needed to keep the business running.

The property owner filed an insurance claim expecting coverage for the full scope of loss. Instead, the carrier offered just $204,000—a figure built on inaccurate satellite measurements, incomplete documentation, and outdated material pricing.

The initial estimate ignored elevation changes, excluded critical insulation repairs, and used material rates that didn’t match current market costs. If accepted, that offer would have fallen far short of what was needed to restore the facility and protect ongoing production.

Rebuilding the Claim From the Ground Up

Premier Claims was brought in to represent the policyholder and immediately began a full reassessment of the damage. Our field inspectors worked day and night to capture precise measurements and photographic documentation across all structures.

By challenging the carrier’s reliance on remote imagery, our team provided accurate, on-the-ground data that reflected the true scope of the property. We built an itemized repair plan that included:

Every detail was supported by evidence—photos, expert reports, and measurement records—to close the gap between the carrier’s flawed estimate and the actual replacement cost.

Navigating Carrier Complexities

When the insurer raised salvage rights concerns after learning the client planned to sell the replaced metal, our adjusters coordinated the process to ensure the settlement stayed accurate and compliant. Throughout negotiations, Premier Claims maintained professional communication, grounding every discussion in documentation and policy language.

A Fair and Accurate Settlement

After months of persistent advocacy and detailed verification, the claim was successfully resolved for $1,693,000—a 730 percent increase over the carrier’s initial offer. The final scope provided full replacement coverage for ten agricultural structures, totaling more than 3,300 squares of metal roofing at an approved cost basis of $489 per square.

With the corrected settlement, the poultry farm was able to restore every critical building with quality materials and resume normal operations without financial strain.

Protecting Property and Productivity

This outcome ensured that the property owner could maintain both the integrity of their facilities and the efficiency of their business. By addressing inaccurate measurements, omitted scope items, and outdated pricing, the settlement accurately reflected the farm’s real rebuilding costs—preserving its long-term value and productivity.

When insurance estimates fall short, accurate documentation and informed advocacy can make the difference between partial repairs and full recovery. To learn how Premier Claims supports farm and agricultural property owners through complex insurance. 

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form

STAY CONNECTED: 

Join Our Blog Community

We believe that knowledge is not just power but a path to peace of mind. Our blog serves as a gateway to understanding the intricacies of public adjusting, commercial property damage, and insurance-related matters. If you find value in our insights and wish to keep up-to-date of industry trends and educational content, we invite you to subscribe to our blog.

Stay connected, stay informed, and let us be a resource for you.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form