The status of 'preferred contractor' can mean different things to different insurance companies. Following are five reasons why it is to your advantage to use a preferred contractor. We work hard to fulfill those expectations because we want our customers - both homeowners and insurance companies - to come to know us as their preferred contractor.
For details about how to start an insurance claim, click here.
1) Repairs are endorsed by your insurance company
The status of 'preferred contractor' can mean different things to different insurance companies. At the very least it means that your insurance company endorses the contractors they recommend. At best it means that your insurance provider will warranty their preferred contractor's work. For example, our status as a Rely Vendor in Intact Insurance's Rely Network® means that Intact Insurance will warranty our workmanship for as long as you own the property. For more on Intact Insurance's Rely Network® click here. We also work closely with Aviva Insurance and many of the other trusted insurance companies in Alberta.
Be sure to consult with your adjuster about the implications of choosing a contractor that is not on your insurance company's preferred contractor list. There are reputable contractors that may not yet be considered 'preferred' but make sure that whoever you hire will deliver a quality of workmanship that your insurance provider will insure for the future.
2) It's not your problem
If you choose an insurance company's preferred contractor and your insurance provider pays the preferred contractor directly, then your insurance company is responsible to address workmanship or liability issues. It is their problem, not yours.
Weigh carefully the benefits and risks of taking a payout and looking after repairs on your own, especially if you do not have experience in the construction industry. In some cases you may be able to pocket a portion of the claim or choose a contractor you have already learned to trust. Keep in mind, however, that you will also be responsible for ensuring that the repairs are done satisfactorily, to code, and to a standard that your insurance company will continue to cover. Furthermore, if the contractor you choose does not have a WCB (Workman's Compensation Board) account or adequate insurance coverage you could be liable for any injuries or damages incurred while repairs are being carried out. To find out more about the responsibilities involved in hiring someone without WCB visit this link and click on the file titled 'Assuming responsibilities for a worker not under the act (Deeming)'.
3) Your claim will be processed in keeping with your insurance provider's protocols
A reputable preferred contractor is one that has proven capable of providing quality workmanship and customer service and has learned a given insurance provider's systems and protocols. At Epic Roofing & Exteriors we work hard to provide comprehensive reports, estimates, and service in keeping with an insurance company's protocols. Attention to detail and due process on our part enables both homeowners and adjusters to process and complete repairs in a timely manner. It also ensures that the work is done in a way that will be covered, as necessary, by your insurance company.
Be careful when a contractor promises that you have hail damage before conducting a comprehensive review of your property or consulting with your insurance adjuster. Be even more suspicious if that contractor wants you to sign a binding contract committing you to have them do the work before you learn what is going to be covered by insurance or what your options are for choosing a contractor.
4) Accountability and recourse
This is another way of reinforcing the point that using a preferred contractor should give you more leverage and clearer channels of recourse in dealing with your insurance provider (or the contractor) should something go wrong. Given our commitment to being around for the long haul, we are going to be easier to contact and keep accountable.
Hiring a transient contractor or someone who promises to do the work for less than what your insurance provider has allotted for the work may seem attractive in the moment. Be sure, however, that you have settled in advance what kind of workmanship warranty a contractor offers and how the company will be accountable should the work not be completed or performed in keeping with Alberta Building Code requirements.
5) Integrity and transparency
A preferred contractor should have earned that reputation by demonstrating honesty and openness in their dealings. At Epic we provide detailed estimates for the benefit of insurance adjusters and homeowners so that if one of our estimates is approved by insurance it is clear to all what is going to be done and at what cost. We neither assume that an estimate is going to be approved, nor that the homeowner is going to choose us to do the work. Furthermore, we refuse to conduct repairs until the homeowner responsible has given us signed authorization to do so.
Beware of contractors that try to get you to sign a binding contract authorizing them to do the work before you have a chance to consult your insurance adjuster about the status of your claim. There are numerous reputable roofing and exteriors companies that are not on your insurance company's preferred contractor list but there is a reason why some are not. Do your research and ask why.
Epic Roofing & Exteriors Ltd is a preferred contractor with a number of Alberta's best-known insurance companies because they have learned to trust the quality of our work and customer service. We also do not make claims that are not ours to make. It is not our responsibility to determine if, or what portion of, the damages incurred at your property will be covered by your insurance policy. Furthermore, even if your insurance company approves our estimate for repairs, you are not locked into using Epic. The decision of who will actually do the work must be coordinated with your adjuster.
We are registered with WCB, licensed, bonded, insured, and COR-Certified, one of the highest safety designations a contractor can earn in Alberta. You will find that our estimates are clear and detailed so that you know exactly what insurance is covering. In addition to checking our status with the Better Business Bureau (click the link in the left sidebar) we recommend contacting the Alberta Allied Roofing Association and the Siding Contractor's Association of Alberta for more information on Epic Roofing & Exteriors Ltd.
Thank you for reading this far and considering Epic as your potential preferred contractor of choice to conduct hail damage repairs to the roof or exteriors on your property. For details about how to start an insurance claim, click here or submit an estimate request here.
