Matching is one of the more difficult topics in insurance. (Credit: Adobe Stock)
When only part of the property is damaged — such as siding or a roof — and the insurance carrier cannot match the existing property, should the entire property be replaced in order to properly indemnify the insured? Ir is it acceptable for the carrier to simply repair the property and leave the roof or siding mismatched?
When replacement cost coverage is available, logic would dictate that "new for old" would apply and the entire item should be replaced; with mismatched siding, shingles, or other property, the value of the property is diminished.
Related: A look at replacement cost value vs. actual cash value
However, various courts have found for both options; some state the entire thing should be replaced, while others have found that repairs, even if they do not match, are acceptable.
The chart below shows which states have laws in their books directly addressing the matching issue and which states use case law and generally accepted insurance principles. States with statutes that deal with matching are written in boldface type.
Note: All of the cases and statutes cited below are still good law — they have not been abrogated, overruled, or limited — as of the time of publication of this article.
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