Start with the damage and the paperwork.
Take clear photos and keep notes about what you are seeing. Save claim documents, receipts, estimates, and written communication in one place so you can refer back to the same record.
Your insurer determines coverage under your policy. Your contractor’s role is to explain the work being proposed and provide a clear scope for your property.
Know what an insurance claim contractor can do.
A contractor can inspect visible conditions, explain a proposed repair, and provide a written estimate for the work at your home. They cannot decide what your policy covers or guarantee a claim outcome. Keeping those roles separate makes it easier to ask the right questions of both your insurer and the contractor.
Before you choose, ask the contractor to walk through the visible damage, the proposed scope, the materials, cleanup, and how any changes discovered during the work would be documented.
Compare the work, not just the totals.
When you compare estimates, look at the work being included, materials, removal, cleanup, and any items that need to be addressed before the repair begins. Two totals can look similar while describing very different scopes.
Ask questions before signing. A good conversation should make the proposed work easier to understand, not harder.
Keep the decision in your hands.
Be cautious about anyone who pushes an immediate signature, will not explain the scope, or asks you to leave details blank. Keep copies of what you sign and ask how changes will be documented if conditions are different once work begins.
For a gutter, drainage, or exterior project, Crown & Cross can discuss the visible conditions at your property and provide a clear estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Does my insurance company choose my contractor?
Coverage decisions are made under your insurance policy. Homeowners generally choose the contractor they want to work with, while the contractor explains the proposed work and scope.
What should I ask a contractor after an insurance claim?
Ask what visible conditions they found, what the written scope includes, which materials and cleanup are included, and how changes to the work would be documented.
What should I keep after an insurance claim?
Keep photos, your estimate, agreement, receipts, warranty paperwork, and written communication in one place.
General homeowner information, not legal, insurance, HOA, engineering, or coverage advice.
For additional guidance, review the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau guidance on working with contractors after a disaster.
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