Do you have to use your Insurance Carrier's preferred vendor when making a damage claim? - NO!

A growing trend in the insurance market is for Insurance Carriers to have and maintain a preferred vendor list. This is positive move, for the insurance carrier, not the homeowner. When carriers “demand” or strongly suggest that their policy holders use their vendors, homeowners loose.  This is not all bad news, there are some upsides to using a preferred vendor such as the contractors are vetted and verified, but the bad could outweigh the good.

Why the preferred vendor program is a good thing.

-         Background and verified. If an insurance carrier is going to stand behind and recommend a contractor to make major repairs in your home you can believe they are going to verify and background check your contractor. The insurance carrier will create strict guidelines and procedures the contractor must follow. These procedures are designed to ensure the contractor will follow the guideless and protect the homeowner, but this is not always the case.

What does your insurance policy do?

-         Your insurance policy is designed to protect you from financial loss caused by property damage. Your policy is not designed to replace your stuff, a common misrepresentation of a policy. Your policy will provide you with monetary compensation based on the value of the property and contents damaged. You then as the homeowner can take that financial reimbursement and use it to replace and repair the items damaged or choose not to.

Why you should select your own contractor:

-         Does the insurance company have your best interest in mind? No. When an insurance carrier pushes a preferred vendor onto a homeowner it is because they are protecting their interest first. The carriers have contracts with vendors and in most cases agreeing to certain price structures and procedures that will help them save money.

How do you know you are being fully protected from your financial loss?

-         If you were to cut your self and had to go to the emergency room and the doctor’s fees were based on a “per stich” basis, how do you know how many stiches you are supposed to get? What if you need 10 stiches but the doctor has a contract with the health insurance company to only allow for 8. Same concept carries into property damage claims and the contracts between carriers and contractors. How do you know you are fully protected and will receive all the care to properly restore your home or business? On the other hand if you need 10 stiches and are charged for 20, how do you know if you were over charged? Answer: You don’t know unless you do your homework. But who has time to do their homework while standing in a flooded home?

How do I find a contractor I can trust?

-         Word of mouth, trusted referrals, and reviews. The best way to find a contractor you can trust is to use those restoration contractors who have a proven track record of high quality work with positive reviews. Your insurance agent should be able to provide you with a solid referral. They want your continued business and positive referrals are a reflection of their business model. Online reviews are a great indicator of a company’s customer service history.

How do I choose a contractor?

-         Any reputable restoration contractor will have the proper training. In the restoration industry all company’s have the same vans, with the same fans, with the same extractors, and the same dehumidifiers. They all go to the same wholesaler to purchase their supplies. They receive the same industry training from the same source, the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certificate). What makes a company different is how they treat you, the customer. Every job must be done right and this means following the industry standards. Your contractor must show care and concern for you and your property. They must work with integrity and help you save money by controlling costs. The contractor you choose must be upfront, honest, and communicate well. Ask a lot of questions. Ask “is this necessary?” A reputable contractor will help you. Bottom line is that you are treated well and fair.

At DRIRITE, it is not just our name, it’s our guarantee. From our well trained crews, to managers with over 30 years experience, we are here to help you through every step of the restoration process. Call us for a free property damage consultation and estimate. Help is on the way when you call. 813-635-0303