We just got hit by the hailstorm in TN. This is really a 2 part question. HOUSE - The insurance adjuster came out last week and said the roof and siding needs replaced. I handed him some estimates. He came back with a check for 1/4th of what Sears quoted (reputable but a little on the high side) and 2/5ths of the best prices from standard contractors not just chasing storms quoted. I pointed out to him that one of the items was 1/10th what the estimate was for and that wasn't going to work. He said to take the check then just fax in the quotes and they would work it out with the companies and pay the difference because his estimates were just from a computer which didn't take a lot of factors in account. To beat it all, he didn't leave the printed copy of the adjustment and even though he had a wireless card he couldn't email me the pdf he couldn't print. I have a concern that if I cash this check, regardless of what the adjuster said, they may be able to come back and say "By cashing this check, you agreed to the assessment and we are not required to pay any more". I'd like to be optimistic but I don't want to be blinded by reality either. Should I hold off on cashing the check till they agree on an adjustment? CAR - They totaled the car and the truck both but we have to wait to find out how much we'll be getting. The adjuster said the truck was over 150% of the value of the truck and they total at 75%. I asked them whether they pay out trade-in, private party or retail. They said Fair Market Value which is between PP and Retail. I plan to take print outs of all three of these values as well as comparable vehicles for sale within 100 miles and that have more mileage than my vehicle to be reasonable. Is it reasonable for me to find out what the damage appraised for, and the percentage then figure what the amount they should be paying me minus my deductible? For example, Truck was 154%, so multiply that by .65 (100/154) and expect that minus my deductible as a reasonable pay out? What should I arm myself to get a reasonable expectation on the payout? I'm just wanting to be as pro-active as possible so I don't have a horror story to tell.