An Insurance Agent’s Guide to Choosing the Best Restoration Contractor

By: Diana Rodriguez-Zaba
Updated on: May 17, 2019

You have to keep policyholders happy while meeting professional goals and ensuring your firm’s financial success. It’s a 24/7 job that often unfolds in unpredictable situations. Your role as an insurance agent or adjuster isn’t easy.

Some of the most important decisions you make involve choosing the right restoration contractors for the job. How can you be sure you’re getting the best?

Experienced, qualified water and fire damage cleanup companies stand out in this highly competitive industry. These businesses offer exceptional levels of service backed by years of experience. They help you satisfy clients and balance critical loss ratios.

10 Things to Expect From the Best Restoration Contractors

As you consider your choices among top insurance restoration service companies, you want to make the right decision for your clients and your agency. The best water and fire damage contractors offer:

1. Proven Expertise Across the Board

Established restoration companies stay in business because they consistently provide quality services across all areas of damage restoration. Look for a contractor who earns his solid reputation by successfully tackling all types of projects for both residential and commercial clients.

2. An Immediate Response

You can’t wait on a call-back when you have a client who needs help immediately. Make sure you choose a restoration business with administrative staff and field technicians available 24/7. Ask other agents about a company’s average response time from first call to arrival on the scene.

3. Dependably Accurate Estimates

xactimate estimating software

You have to depend on the numbers, and you want a restoration company that knows the importance of holding down claims indemnity. The best in the business use industry-specific estimating software as a precise platform for ensuring accuracy.

4. Communication You Trust

Experienced restoration contractors speak your language. They understand how to evaluate a loss pre-claim so that all parties can make good decisions. They formulate a loss ratio that satisfies both the client and your agency. Questions are answered right away, and concerns addressed in detail.

5. Fully Equipped Capabilities

From high-tech dispatch systems and fleet vans ready to roll to state-of-the-art equipment and industry-approved products, a full-service restoration company stands ready to respond to every call. It backs up its full line of capabilities with dedicated staff and experienced technicians.

6. Industry Certification and Ongoing Training

quality restoration vendor certificationWhen you work with a company that maintains preferred Quality Restoration Vendor Certification, you’re dealing with a business that earns its credentials in the field and the office. You know that its technicians are highly trained and certified to handle all types of restoration jobs.

7. Excellent Client Skills

During the course of a project, restoration teams working on client properties stand as your representatives. You want administrative and technical personnel on the job who answer questions, calm concerns and act as trusted, knowledgeable liaisons between you and the client.

8. Project Responsibility and Contingency Planning

If issues come up directly related to ongoing restoration work, the contractor has a professional obligation to own his company’s responsibility. Before making a final choice, discuss the specifics of contingency planning, and ask for examples of previous on-the-job problem solving.

9. National Backing, Local Networks

servicemaster clean truck

When a restoration company operates with corporate backing from a national firm, you’re assured of a commitment to meet and exceed industry standards. When that same restoration business enjoys the trust of local vendors and service providers, you can depend on a network that can cover any scenario.

10. Performance That Earns Your Business

In the restoration industry, a sterling reputation is built on successful collaborations with agents and adjusters in the field. By communicating with clients, delivering quality workmanship and maintaining the highest levels of professionalism, the best restoration contractor earns your business.

Keep It Local and Personal

Fast response time and efficient project completion are important, so location counts. Across metropolitan Chicago, your client base covers more than 10,000 square miles. You want to work with a restoration company that can quickly take care jobs in the city and the suburbs too.

As you begin to finalize choices for a restoration company, get to know key personnel. Speak with several representatives so that you have a real sense of how the business operates. If you’re comfortable and feel a strong level of trust, you can count on your restoration contractor to deliver that same positive experience to your clients.

Partner with Chicago’s Trusted Restoration Team

servicemaster restoration by zaba team

When you’re backed by a professional restoration contractor, you serve clients with the highest levels of customer care. That results in their complete confidence in the process.

As the leading restoration business in Chicago and the suburbs, ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba stands ready to partner with you and bring years of experience working with insurance agents and adjusters.

We’re always here for you and your clients with expert fire and water damage services. When you want the industry’s best, call us first: 773-647-1985