Do I Have to Use the Contractor My Insurance Company Recommends?

You've got water on the floor, you call your insurance company, and before you hang up they've given you the name of a restoration company. A lot of people assume that's who they have to use. Here's what you should know before you say yes.

A recommendation isn't a requirement

Most insurance companies keep a list of preferred contractors. Those companies have agreed to the insurer's pricing and paperwork rules, which makes the claim easier for the insurance company to manage. That doesn't make them a bad choice. Some are very good.

But in most cases you're the one hiring the contractor, and you can get estimates from anyone you want. If you're not sure what your policy says about this, ask your agent or your insurance company directly. Get the answer in writing if you can.

Why it matters who you pick

The dry-out is usually the easy part. Fans and dehumidifiers go in fast no matter who you call. The trouble usually starts after that.

When we read through the Google reviews for water damage companies around Elk River, the worst ones had a pattern. The homeowner went with the company their insurance sent. The drying went fine. Then the walls sat open for months, nobody returned calls, and the homeowner felt like the contractor was working for the insurance company instead of for them.

That's the risk. Your contractor is the one in your house every day, and you want someone who answers to you.

Questions to ask any contractor, insurance-recommended or not

  • Are you licensed in Minnesota? (You can look it up on the DLI website.)
  • Who will I call with questions, and will that person pick up?
  • Do you do the rebuild too, or just the dry-out? If just the dry-out, who does the rest and when?
  • How soon after drying will the rebuild start?
  • Will I get everything in writing, including any changes?
  • Will you send my adjuster the photos and moisture readings they need?

What we do

We're a licensed Minnesota contractor based in Elk River. We do the dry-out and the rebuild, so there's no hand-off in the middle. We send your adjuster the photos, moisture readings and an itemized estimate. Questions about what your policy covers go to your insurance company or agent. Questions about the work come to Ben, and he answers his phone.

More on how we work with insurance is on our insurance claims page, and the full process is on our water damage restoration page.

Call or text Ben: (612) 991-5525 any time, day or night.

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