
Trip Charges for Property Inspections: Are They Appropriate in Insurance Claims?
Trip charges are a legitimate and often necessary part of managing insurance property inspections—especially when travel exceeds a standard radius, such as 30 miles roundtrip. These charges help compensate for the time, fuel, and operational costs involved in site visits. Best practices include disclosing trip charges up front, using standard mileage rates or flat fees, and including them clearly in service agreements or invoices. While not always reimbursed by insurance carriers, travel-related costs can often be submitted as claim-related expenses when tied to inspection or documentation efforts. Setting expectations early protects professionals and supports smoother claim resolution.