How Can I Get Insurance Work as a Contractor?
Insurance claims for homes and commercial buildings are an incredible revenue source for restoration companies and contractors. They provide a consistent alternative revenue source for your business that can help you grow and diversify your revenue streams.
However, the process for qualifying and working with insurance companies is complex. This article will help you understand and navigate the question; how can I get insurance work as a contractor, as both a subcontractor as well as a restoration company or general contractor.
Table of Contents:
What is the Restoration Industry
What are Managed Repair Programs
Relationship Between Restoration Companies and MRP's
Pros and Cons of Managed Repair Programs
How do I join a Managed Repair Program
What if I am a Single Trade or Subcontractor
What is the Restoration Industry?
The restoration industry is the ecosystem that insurance carriers, homeowners, and property owners depend on for property damage mitigation and reconstruction. Insurance carriers and homeowners rely on Restoration companies to show up 24/7 365 days a year.
When a disaster strikes, a pipe bursts, a fire occurs, or any damage event results in a home or commercial property loss, restoration companies get involved.
Restoration companies specialize in cleaning, repairing, and restoring properties to their pre-loss condition. Their services often include:
- Water mitigation (floods, burst pipes)
- Fire and smoke damage cleanup
- Mold remediation
- Contents restoration
- Storm and wind damage repair
- Biohazard cleanup (like trauma scenes or sewage backups)
- Reconstruction
Restoration companies are usually the first ones on the scene of a disaster or issue with a property. They mitigate the damage preventing further damage from occurring. Mitigation activities are time-sensitive. The faster a property is dried out or secured, the less damage occurs.
Restoration companies are often asked by a homeowner, business, or insurance carrier to rebuild the damaged property, making them general contractors who oversee the reconstruction of the property to the pre-loss condition.
Role of Insurance Carriers
Most restoration work is initiated after a policyholder files a property damage claim with their insurance company, or in conjunction with a claim being filed
Here’s the typical flow:
- Damage occurs (e.g., water leak)
- Policyholder files a claim with their insurance carrier OR calls a restoration company to the property immediately
- If a claim is filed first, the policyholder will either be directed to source their own service companies to deal with the immediate damage mitigation and/or they will be offered a Managed Repair Program
- The restoration company mitigates the damage, ensuring the scope and actions taken meet insurance carrier standards
- Insurance adjuster evaluates the damage and declares a value for the damaged property to be restored
- The policyholder is free to use a restoration company or other construction services company to restore their property to pre-loss condition
- Upon approval of the scope and costs the policyholder, restoration or construction company, Managed Repair Network, or a combination of these are provided with the funds from the insurance carrier
What are Managed Repair Programs (MRPs)?
MRPs are networks of pre-vetted contractors (including restoration companies) that an insurance company recommends or requires policyholders to use for covered repairs.
Think of MRPs like the preferred vendor network for insurers.
How it works:
- Insurance carriers create a network of restoration vendors who agree to set pricing, service standards, timelines, and communication protocols
- When a claim is filed, the insurer refers an MRP to the policyholder
- The MRP selects a pre-vetted contractor from their network to respond to the policyholder
- The contractor performs the work according to agreed-upon terms
- The insurer pays the MRP directly and the MRP in turn pays the contractor according to their terms
Relationship Between Restoration Companies and MRPs
Restoration companies benefit from MRPs by getting a steady flow of leads — but in return, they must:
- Meet and maintain specific compliance requirements for insurance coverages, licenses, certifications, and background checks on personnel
- Adhere to strict service-level agreements (SLAs)
- Use standardized pricing tools (like Xactimate or Symbility)
- Submit detailed documentation and photos
- Accept lower profit margins in exchange for volume
- Communicate efficiently with adjusters and homeowners
Not all restoration companies participate in MRPs — they prefer to work independently to maintain control over pricing, scope, and service delivery.
Pros and Cons of Managed Repair Programs
For Insurers:
✅ Better control over repair costs
✅ Faster claim resolution
✅ Consistent contractor performance
❌ Limited contractor availability in some areas
❌ Risk of vendor conflict or quality issues
Insurance carriers want the best outcomes for their policyholders, cost limitation, and risk mitigation. MRP's provide them with a buffer that they can rely on to provide consistent outcomes.
For Contractors:
✅ Consistent job leads
✅ Easier payment process
❌ Lower margins
❌ More admin work and compliance
❌ Sometimes slower payment
Contractors & Restoration Companies get an alternative revenue stream. They do not have to chase work from MRP's, deal with SEO on their website, or pay for individual leads. However, they will take a margin hit, deal with the MRP software and procedures, and sometimes see delayed payment.
For Policyholders:
✅ Simplified claims process
✅ Vetted contractors
❌ May not get to choose their preferred contractor
❌ Quality can vary depending on vendor
Policyholders may not want to complete their own due diligence for a contractor or restoration company. They are often dealing with significant impacts to their personal lives, and having an option that can promise to provide a vetted resource, or uphold an expectation of quality, is preferable to sourcing a one on their own.
How do I join a Managed Repair Program?
Contractors and restoration companies can join MRP's by applying to join their network. The process varies from one to the other, and can take as long as 4-6 months to complete the application, onboarding, and credentialing process.
For the MRP's that work with Sublynk the process is streamlined, allowing you to apply quickly within the Sublynk platform. Once you are approved to join one of our partner MRP's you will be able to complete onboarding and credentialing in as little as one day!
After you begin onboarding with a MRP you will be required to provide and maintain the following items to qualify for their network:
- Business Insurance - Depending on the type of work you are going to perform you may need
- Commercial General Liability up to $2,000,000
- Pollution Insurance up to $1,000,000
- Commercial Auto Liability up to $1,000,000
- Workers Compensation & Employer's Liability up to $1,000,000
- Umbrella up to $1,000,000
- Professional Liability up to $1,000,000
- Any state or federal licenses required for the type of work you are performing
- Certifications from governing bodies such as
- IICRC - Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification
- RIA - Restoration Industry Association
- ACAC - American Council for Accredited Certification
- NORMI - National Association of Remediators & Microbial Inspectors
- HAAG - Engineering & Certification Organization that includes Roofing Certifications
- Ongoing background checks on owners, personnel, and subcontractors that meet network standards
Once you qualify, onboard, and credential with the MRP you will be eligible to receive jobs from that network
What if I am a single trade or subcontractor?
Restoration companies are always looking for great subs. Most restoration companies rely on subcontractors to complete the reconstruction phase of their engagements.
As a single trade contractor or subcontractor you can likely find a limitless amount of work if you are willing to work with a restoration company. Of course, your experience will vary wildly depending on who you work with.
If you do decide to work with a restoration contractor as a sub you should be prepared to complete the following tasks for that restoration contractor:
- Provide a copy of your business insurance and add the restoration company as a certificate holder on your policy
- Sign a contract that indicates the terms of your relationship
- Complete a background check on yourself and your crew
- Provide a copy of any state or federal licenses required to complete your work
We hope this overview has helped you understand the restoration industry and its incredible opportunities for contractors, as well as the opportunities for companies that want to work with insurance carriers.
Reach out to us here at Sublynk if we can assist you in any way!