Discover One Of The Most Harmful Insurance Policy Changes Homeowners Don’t Know About

The 1% Matching Endorsement: What Is It, And What Does It Mean For Florida Policyholders

Homeowners purchase insurance with one core expectation:
If their home is damaged, their insurance will make them whole again.

Unfortunately, that promise is more frequently being broken.

One of the most costly and hidden changes, quietly added to many homeowners insurance policies, is something known as the 1% Matching Endorsement — and it is hurting policyholders, primarily in Florida. Some states have actually banned it. Many states require line of sight matching.

At Sarasohn and Company, Inc., we are seeing firsthand how this endorsement is forcing many homeowners to come out of pocket for thousands, and often tens of thousands — of dollars in rightful claim payments.

What Is the 1% Matching Endorsement?

The 1% Matching Endorsement is a policy provision that overrides standard policy language related to matching undamaged materials.

In plain English:

If any part of your home is damaged and requires replacing undamaged materials to achieve its pre-loss uniformity, the insurance company will only pay up to 1% of the policy limit toward matching the undamaged areas — even if you’re left with an unsightly repair. If the damage is to the exterior of your house, an HOA may force you to comply with their repair rules even if you’re willing to live with the mismatch.

Example:

• Your home is insured for $500,000
  
• 1% matching limit = $5,000
  
• Actual cost to match flooring throughout the home = $25,000
  
• You’re forced to pay the $20,000 difference out of pocket

Why This Endorsement Is So Undesirable

This endorsement fundamentally undermines the concept of replacement cost coverage. It can also prevent the homeowner from being compliant with their mortgage requirement of insuring the home to its full replacement cost.

Homes are not built in isolated sections. Materials are continuous and visible. When insurers refuse to match:

• Homes lose uniformity and value
  
• Repairs look patched, inconsistent, or unfinished
  
• Homeowners are left with financial hardship
  
• Claims that should restore a home instead devalue it
  

This is not an accident. This endorsement is intentionally designed to limit payouts.

It Supersedes the Main Policy Language

One of the most troubling aspects of the 1% Matching Endorsement is that it supersedes otherwise favorable policy language and skirts Florida law.

Even if your policy says:

• “We will repair or replace with like kind and quality”
  
• “We will restore the property to its pre-loss condition”
  

The endorsement prevents the carrier’s obligation to put you back to your pre-loss condition.

Most homeowners don’t realize this until the claim is already underway.

What Parts of the Home Are Most Affected?

We commonly see disputes involving:

• Tile, Wood, Marble, Carpet or Laminate flooring
  
• Roofing materials
  
• Cabinets
  
• Countertops
  
• Siding
  
• Interior and exterior paint
  
• Textured finishes
  

Why Insurance Companies Add the 1% Matching Endorsement

This endorsement exists to save insurance companies money, not to protect homeowners.

Matching claims are expensive. Uniform restoration costs more than patchwork repairs. This endorsement transfers that cost from the insurance company to the homeowner.

Unfortunately, insurance companies are not required to let homeowners buy back the matching coverage they once had. Florida residents should tell their representatives in the State Legislature to change this.

Most Homeowners Don’t Know They Have This Endorsement

This endorsement is often:

• Buried deep in policy documents
  
• Added at renewal without explanation
  
• Not understood or properly explained by agents
  

By the time homeowners discover it, it’s too late.

A Free Policy Review by an experienced Public Adjuster

• We understand Policy construction
  
• Endorsement conflicts
  
• State-specific regulations
  
• Know what coverages, exclusions, limits, and sub-limits you should have

Why You Need a Public Insurance Adjuster

Insurance companies have teams of adjusters, engineers, and attorneys working to protect their bottom line.

You deserve the same level of representation.

At Sarasohn and Company, Inc., we:

• Review your full policy and endorsements
  
• Identify coverage opportunities agents overlook
  
• Fight for full and fair claim settlements
  
• Ensure your home is restored properly — not cosmetically patched
  

We’ve been doing this for over 100 years.

Don’t Let a Hidden Endorsement or Inadequate Coverage Limit Cost You Tens of Thousands

Get a Professional Policy Review Today 

If you have damage, contact us as soon as possible. We can be most effective when we’re involved from the beginning.

Sarasohn and Company, Inc. is here to help.

We work for you — not the insurance company.

Contact us today for a free claim and policy review.