Can I Choose My Own Contractor for an Insurance Claim?
Yes. In Ohio, the choice of contractor is yours. Your insurance company owes what your policy covers; it does not get to pick who does the work. You are generally not required to use a contractor the insurer suggests. Every policy reads a little differently, so check your own before you decide.
Your Home, Your Choice of Contractor
After a storm or a burst pipe, the pressure to decide fast is real. An insurer referral can feel like the required path. Usually, it is not. Here is how contractor choice works in Ohio, and what to ask before you sign anything.
What is a preferred vendor program, and do I have to use it?
Many insurers keep a list of contractors they refer homeowners to, often called a preferred vendor or managed repair program. These programs are optional. The referral can be convenient, but it is a suggestion, not a requirement, and you are generally free to hire the contractor you trust. Your policy controls what your insurer owes for covered repairs; it does not usually control who performs them. Policies vary, so read yours before you decide.
What should I ask a contractor before hiring one?
Ask where the crew is based. Ask for licensing and insurance in writing. Ask who your point of contact will be and how quickly calls get returned. Ask how damage will be documented, in photos and measurements, before repairs begin. And ask whether one company will handle the whole job, roof, water cleanup, and rebuild, or hand pieces of it to someone else.
How does Medwick work with my insurance adjuster?
When the adjuster comes out to inspect, we are at your home for that visit. From there, we coordinate and complete the repairs, roofing, water mitigation, and rebuild, as one local company. We do not decide what is covered; that comes down to your policy and your insurer. Our insurance claims page explains the rest of how we support a claim.