You are spot-cleaning a wall when you kick over a bucket of bleach or paint onto a pristine white wool carpet. The client refuses a patch job and demands the entire room (and the matching hallway) be re-carpeted for $8,000. Your insurance adjuster says, “We only owe for the spot.”
Key Takeaways
- Line of Sight Rules: Some states require insurers to replace all matching carpeting if a patch is visible (Line of Sight). Others only require fixing the damaged area. Know your state.
- “Damage to Property” Limit: Check your GL policy. Is there a sub-limit for “Property you are working on”? It might be capped at $5,000.
- Depreciation (ACV): Insurance pays “Actual Cash Value.” If the carpet is 10 years old, they deduct 50-70% for wear and tear. You owe the difference.
- Restoration First: You have the right to try professional restoration (dying/cleaning) before replacement.
The “Why” (The Trap): Betterment
The client wants brand new carpet. They had 10-year-old carpet.
If insurance pays for new carpet, the client is getting “Betterment” (ending up better off than they started). Insurance hates this. They will pay the Depreciated Value.
The Trap: The client demands you pay the gap between the check (
3,000)andthecostofnewcarpet(3,000)andthecostofnewcarpet(
8,000).
The Investigation: The Bleach Disaster
I talked to a carpet restoration expert and an adjuster.
1. Professional Repair (The Carpet Guys)
- Method: They can cut a piece from a closet and patch it, or re-dye bleach spots.
- Cost: $300 – $600.
- Success Rate: 90% invisible. Always try this first.
2. The Insurance Payout (Hiscox)
- My Analysis: They will send an adjuster. They will measure the depreciation.
- The Check: Likely
30−30−40 per square yard minus depreciation.
3. The “Matching” Endorsement
- My Analysis: Some high-end policies (Chubb/Travelers) have a “Pair and Set” or “Matching” clause that pays to replace the whole room. Budget policies (Next/Geico) usually don’t.
Comparison Table: The Spill Cost
| Method | Cost | Client Satisfaction | Insurance Covers? |
| Patch/Dye | $500 | Medium | Yes |
| Replace Room | $4,000 | High | Depreciated Only |
| Replace House | $15,000 | High | No (Unlikely) |
[IMAGE: Photo comparing a ‘Patch Job’ vs ‘Bleach Dye Repair’]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Don’t Scrub: Scrubbing un-sets the twist of the fiber and sets the stain. Blot only.
- Call a Pro: Before filing a claim, pay a carpet repair tech $150 to assess it. If they can fix it, pay cash. Filing a claim raises your rates for 5 years.
- Check “Care, Custody, Control”: If you were cleaning the carpet (not the wall), the carpet damage might be excluded under the “Workmanship” exclusion.
- Manage Expectations: Tell the client: “Insurance pays for the value of the carpet, not a brand new upgrade.”
FAQ Section
Can I just paint over the stain?
No. That ruins the texture.
What if the client refuses the patch?
If the patch is “reasonable” and invisible, the client has a duty to mitigate damages. If they refuse, they might be on the hook for the extra cost of replacement.
Does my bond cover this?
No. A bond covers theft. This is property damage (Liability).