Should I Show My Contractor My Insurance Estimate?

Wondering what to do next after your home sustains damage is normal—hopefully, it's not something you'll have to deal with very often. The first step is to get started on the repair solution as soon as possible. While making an insurance claim is usually a relatively straightforward process, the question, "Should I show my contractor my insurance estimate," doesn't always have a straight answer. Here's how and when to share the information with your roofing professional. 

What May Be Included in Your Insurance Estimate

After covered home damage happens, you'll need to obtain an insurance estimate for the expected repair costs. The estimate you receive will include numerous list items and the correlating prices the insurance company will pay. 

Depending on your insurance company and the policy you hold, you may see the following items and expected costs for each one on your estimate. 

• Demolition, disposal, and site preparation costs, if necessary

• Cost of replacement materials

• Appropriate permitting and inspection prices based on rates in your municipality

• Estimated labor costs that a contractor is likely to charge for the repairs

• Additional necessary repair costs, including extra work that needs to happen in order to complete the primary repairs 

Your estimate will also contain a description of the damage and a repair assessment, including the anticipated scope of work.

For example, your insurance company will send an adjuster to perform a roof inspection for a roof damage insurance claim. The resulting estimate will likely list the roof replacement costs broken down into materials, labor, profit, and soft costs, such as permits, additional repairs, and contingencies.

Reasons Your Contractor May Need to See Your Insurance Estimates

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While it may seem counterintuitive to tell your contractor how much your insurance company is willing to pay, in many cases, showing them the estimate after the contractor provides one is beneficial for all parties involved.

Home insurance companies must control spending to remain profitable while you need your house fixed without breaking the bank. Your roofer also needs to make a profit while providing its customers with excellent service and high-quality repairs. 

Here are the benefits of allowing a reputable contractor to see your insurance estimate:

• Sharing allows the contractor to see what is and isn't included in the insurance estimate and make adjustments if necessary.

• It can help the contractor negotiate for a better claim amount in the case of significant discrepancies.

• It provides the contractor and insurance company a means of working together to repair your home. 

• It allows you to have a voice in your insurance claim.

• It protects all parties from inadvertently engaging in insurance fraud.

For example, your insurance adjuster may or may not include the cost of soffit and fascia materials in a roof repair estimate. The exclusion may be due to missed details or because your policy doesn't include those items for the type of repair necessary. Your roofing contractor can identify the situation and either exclude the repair or negotiate with the insurer to include the additional costs.  

Do I Need to Use the Contractor Suggested by Insurance?

You don't need to use the insurance-suggested contractor to perform repairs under a claim. However, there may be times when doing so is most beneficial to you. Contractors that partner with specific home insurance providers are well-equipped to handle the repairs quickly in an emergency while minimizing the time it takes to make a claim. 

On the other hand, using our earlier roofing repair example, if your metal roof is damaged in a storm, your insurer's recommended contractor may or may not be skilled in performing the task or aware of additional metal roof costs that need inclusion in the insurance estimate. In these cases, hiring your own contractor, experienced in metal roof installation, is usually your best bet. 

Regardless of the timing or scope of work, you're free to choose your own contractor to repair the home independent of your insurers' recommendations while still expecting reimbursement for the project. 

Should Roofers Provide Their Own Estimate Before You Provide the Insurance Estimate?

While the vast majority of roofing contractors are honest and reputable business entities, homeowners need to remain vigilant against shady companies out for a quick buck. One way to protect yourself is to have your candidate roofing company provide an estimate of its own before revealing details of your insurance estimate. 

After the contractor provides an initial estimate, you can share the insurance adjuster's estimate and negotiate any discrepancies or allow the roofer to negotiate the claim with your insurer on your behalf. 

Of course, there are exceptions to the rule. In an emergency, you may not have time to go back and forth between the contractor and your insurer for several days. In that case, you may need to hire a local roof repair company to seal up damage quickly to prevent more problems. Showing them the insurance estimate for that portion of the work can expedite the immediate repair. You can then take your time identifying the best contractor to replace the roof. 

But, exercise caution in these types of emergencies, and be sure not to sign an agreement with the roofer that includes the entire repair project. 

Is It Mandatory to Show the Contractor My Insurance Estimate?

It's never mandatory to show a contractor your insurance estimate, and early in the process of choosing a repair company, it may not be a good idea. However, after selecting a contractor, receiving an estimate, and before signing a contract, it's good practice to compare the insurance estimate against the restoration company's estimate to ensure your financial safety.