In 2023, 63% of homeowners reported being willing to spend as much as $5,000 to improve their home’s weather protection with nearly 1 in 3 homeowners having reported being adversely affected by weather in the last 5 years. For these homeowners, specific contractor’s services are essential for repairing their roof, siding, gutters, and more. However, the repair process often requires professional insurance restoration services.
Insurance companies typically provide general contractors as their preferred service provider (PSP), many damaged homes require more specialized services. Although these contractors are experienced in home repairs, insurance restoration contractors are private contractors experienced specifically with the full scope of insurance claims process, full damage assessment, and home repairs.
Without the right type of contractor, homeowners face the possibility of denied or undervalued claims, leaving them to foot the bill for some or all of the repair. As a homeowner, take a closer look at the insurance restoration process and the following actionable steps to make sure damage to your home is properly restored using the right service provider.
The Insurance Restoration Service Process: A Walkthrough
Even if they have heard of the insurance restoration process, many homeowners do not realize that it involves several complex steps. An insurance restoration contractor can guide homeowners through these key steps of their claims process:
Performing a Damage Assessment
A common mistake among homeowners is the reliance on general contractors for damage assessment of roofs, gutters, siding, and other structural elements. While general contractors possess valuable repair expertise, they often lack specialized knowledge in property damage assessment for insurance purposes.
This gap in expertise can lead to significant oversights and underestimations in repair cost evaluations. Insurance restoration contractors, by contrast, bring a unique set of skills to the assessment process. These specialists are trained to:
- Identify hidden damages that may not be immediately apparent
- Accurately quantify repair costs in line with insurance industry standards
- Provide comprehensive documentation that meets insurer requirements
Working with an insurance restoration contractor ensures a thorough and precise assessment that aligns with insurance provider expectations, potentially leading to more comprehensive coverage and fair compensation for damages.
Filing the Claim
After the damage is assessed, the claim must be properly filed according to the insurance provider’s guidelines. Insurance restoration contractors cannot file claims on behalf of homeowners, but they can still help in several ways:
- Contractors can provide insight into the filing process and help guide homeowners through their situation.
- Contractors can take accurate photo and video evidence of repair attempts while assembling receipts and other regulatory documents.
- Contractors can seek third-party assistance from a public adjuster to verify the insurer’s assessment.
Independent restoration contractors help homeowners avoid costly mistakes by navigating the filing process, though they cannot initiate or file claims themselves.
Working With Insurance Adjusters
After claim assessment, documentation, and estimation, your claim will be sent to the insurance adjusters for approval. The adjuster has to agree on the scope of the work projected by the repair estimate, including the specific costs of restoring the house to its pre-loss state.
Under normal circumstances, a general contractor would estimate the damage and send the claim to the insurance company. These companies, often recruited by insurers as their PSPs, may underestimate the full costs of repairs and miss hidden costs in their assessments. Restoration contractors help homeowners’ claims cover the full extent of the damage.
Restoration contractors have a firmer grasp of the repair costs since they carry out the process themselves. They also use their relationships with suppliers and third-party adjusters to help homeowners maximize their settlements.
However, claims will not always be approved by the insurer. In that event, restoration contractors can help homeowners by offering quotes for the repairs through their own services. Compared to larger companies, local restoration contractors have low overhead costs and can pass these savings on to their clients.
Starting the Restoration Process
Consider this brief project timeline to help get started on your home restoration process:
- Documentation: The first step is documenting and recording the damage, including keeping receipts from related purchases, documenting related communications, and taking photos and videos of the damage.
- Contact Insurance Adjuster: Insurance adjusters should be contacted as soon as possible to begin the claims process.
- Hire a Restoration Contractor: Rather than accept the insurance adjuster’s initial offer, homeowners should get multiple estimates and compare their services to their repair needs to find the best contractor for their situation.
- Complete Repairs: If the claim is approved, the restoration contractor can complete repairs. Even if the claim is denied, insurance restoration contractors can offer competitive quotes to complete the repairs themselves due to their low overhead costs compared to larger firms.
Contact Expert Exteriors Today to File Your Insurance Claim and Complete Repairs
Homeowners who turn to general contractors to repair their damaged homes may not realize the complex multi-step process required to make a successful claim. As independent insurance restoration contractors, Expert Exteriors can help you manage the process by documenting the damage, working with third-party adjusters, and completing the repairs even in the event that your claim is denied.
You will have one point of contact throughout the process to keep you up to date at all times. We may even be able to offer free upgrades in some situations. Contact our team at Expert Exteriors today to learn how we can help you get the repairs you need with our specialized insurance restoration services.