Working with Preferred Certified Contractors & Insurance Companies

Most people dread having to work with either an insurance company or contractor, much less both. Add in typically that you are doing this after a disaster like fire and water damage or roof damage from a storm, and it typically isn’t a fun time. But it doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience as a good contractor can help with most of the burden.

In the past, we’ve talked about how one contractor from beginning to end can be advantageous and how to evaluate a contractor. Along those same lines, having a contractor that will work with the insurance company can reap several benefits including in some cases not having to pay more than the homeowner’s deductible.

Which Contractor to Hire?

Often when you need a contractor after disaster, you see a flood of “contractors” flood the market. A lot of these tend to NOT have offices and even work out of vans. These are to be avoided because often they are looking for a quick dollar and won’t be around if something goes wrong.

Instead, after you have contacted your insurance company and/or have been assigned an insurance adjuster, asked if they have any preferred certified contractors.

What are the Benefits of a Preferred Certified Contractor?

First the homeowner should look too see if the insurance company has a formal preferred vendor or contractor program. This is not the same as the insurance company providing a list of just any contractors it works with regularly. Instead, a formal preferred contractor programs requires the contractor to become certified and maintain that certification.

Some additional benefits of a certified contractor programs can be:

  • That the insurance companies have a level of accountability over the preferred contractors. The preferred contractors are expected to maintain a superior level of professionalism regarding all aspects of their work, customer service, the timeliness of which these repairs are completed, and providing the labor warranty after repairs are completed. Extended warranties are offered that are not normally available which are backed by the insurance carriers and/or a warranty fund to warranty the contractors labor warranty ranging from 1 year for repairs to 5 years for complete roof replacements.
  • That preferred certified contractors are required to work with insurance company guidelines providing for a managed repair process for your home repairs and repair timeliness
  • The preferred contractors provide expedited services with your insurance carrier for supplementing, invoicing, and much more.

Another thing to look for is if a contractor is certified under multiple insurance programs. For example, S&A Construction is an insurance-approved certified contractor with First Choice Repair, servicing Farmers Insurance, American Family Insurance, The Hartford Insurance, and All State Insurance customers. S&A also is signed up with Innovation Group and services AAA Insurance customers in the Wichita metro area through a preferred contractor relationship.

If you decided that you want to work with an insurance preferred contractor and you are looking for a contractor in the Wichita Kansas area, give us a call or e-mail. As always, let us know if you have any questions, other ideas, or comments and have a happy and safe holiday season!