In 2022, property damage accounted for nearly 98% of homeowners insurance claims, with over 40% of claims involving wind or hail damage to the exterior of the house. In many cases, the insurance company will provide a general contractor or preferred service provider (PSP) to handle your claim. However, these damages require the experience of an insurance restoration contractor.
Though a PSP is qualified to repair and restore homes, they may not always have your best interests in mind. They may miss or undervalue certain repairs when documenting the damage and reporting their service costs to your insurer.
As a result, these providers may have low customer satisfaction ratings that homeowners discover after it’s too late to find an alternative service. Homeowners have the right to choose their own contractor to carry out their home restoration.
By choosing a licensed insurance restoration contractor over an insurer’s PSP, homeowners can restore, repair, or add to their homes with an experienced contractor working on their side. Here’s what you need to know.
What is an Insurance Restoration Contractor?
The first question many homeowners ask is why should they choose an independent restoration contractor when their insurance company provides a general contractor or preferred service provider (PSP) to handle their claim. While, of course, general contractors build and repair homes, they don’t always have experience with complex insurance restorations.
By contrast, independent restoration contractors specialize in understanding insurance companies, working with homeowners so they can properly file for their repair costs, and following regulatory insurance guidelines throughout the restoration process. Restoration contractors simplify the insurance process for roof repairs and replacements; some may even upgrade their clients’ structures at no additional cost.
By conducting accurate damage assessments, negotiating the repair timeline, and working with third-party adjusters, licensed insurance restoration contractors help homeowners throughout the entire process, from the point of claim filing to project completion.
The Benefits of Working With an Insurance Restoration Contractor
Insurance restoration contractors specialize in situations facing homeowners who must file a claim with their insurance provider after their home has been damaged. Compare these key benefits to the less specialized experience of general contractor companies.
Expertise in Insurance Claims
Insurance restoration contractors bring specialized expertise in handling high-value insurance claims. This expertise can be divided into three parts: documenting damage, submitting claims, and collaborating with adjusters.
1. Documenting Damage
Restoration contractors have specialized experience estimating and documenting damage in a way that satisfies insurers and benefits homeowners. Relying on self-assessments or general contractors causes many homeowners to underestimate, overestimate, or miss damage that could have been included in their settlements. Specialized contractors are able to include video, thorough explanation when tried solutions won’t work, and a detailed breakdown of the necessary repairs, materials, and timelines.
2. Submitting a Claim
Most homeowners and general contractors lack experience submitting insurance claims for disaster damage. However, insurance providers both accept and challenge home restoration claims according to adherence to a specific process that specialized contractors understand. With their help, homeowners can avoid submitting incomplete claims and paying out-of-pocket for home repairs.
3. Collaborating with Adjusters
Insurance adjusters often underestimate repair costs at the homeowner’s expense. Restoration contractors will not accept their assessment at face value without collaboration. They will strengthen your case by arguing for accurate repair and replacement values, using well-documented evidence of the damage to your roof, siding, or gutters. Even in cases where coverage is denied, restoration contractors can offer competitive quotes to homeowners without forcing them to find another service.
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Contractor
When choosing an insurance restoration contractor, homeowners must ask the following important questions about their services and repair projections:
- How much experience do you have with insurance claims?
- What is your average project timeline?
- Will there be a single point of contact during the replacement process?
- What additional resources can you provide?
Asking questions before the restoration project can help homeowners manage their expectations and choose a contractor that meets their needs.
Work With Expert Exteriors for Your Insurance Restoration
To simplify communication, insurance restoration contractors should provide a single point of contact (POC) for homeowners. This POC can collaborate with insurance adjusters, document your case, and offer competitive prices on any unapproved repairs. They can even upgrade your materials and structures for free.
Our team at Expert Exteriors offers homeowners hands-on project management from start to finish, including inspections, document filing, and repairs. Our expertise empowers homeowners to process claims for home restorations and repairs without unnecessary delays, including collaborating with adjusters and assessing your structures for further repairs.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how insurance restoration with Expert Exteriors can help you manage difficult claims.