People trying to get more than they are entitled to often complain the loudest. The inspector will usually just nod, finish the job, and note what they actually observed.
Why inspectors may not believe a claim
- The tornado touched down miles away but you are claiming major water damage with no rain since the event.
- Flood damage appears only in your living room but nowhere else, including the basement.
- High water marks look more like a dog marked the wall than flood damage, and the dog cage was never moved.
- The entire exterior of the home shows no damage, but you say every piece of furniture inside was destroyed.
If you have a truly unusual situation, be ready with clear evidence and a logical explanation. A real example from my time in the field: A home in a flood zone burned down. It looked suspicious at first, but the fire marshal confirmed that floodwaters caused a transformer to fail and start the fire. We were able to document it properly once the facts were clear.
The risks
At best, the inspector will not record the questionable damage and you will receive nothing for it. At worst, attempting to defraud the program can lead to a full investigation and serious legal consequences including prison time.
Related reading: No, the inspector did not screw you over (program limits are not the same as fraud) and the full inspection cheat sheet.