Imagine a freak storm that causes a large branch from an oak tree outside to snap and damage part of your roof. Your homeowners insurance policy is intended to pay the reasonable and necessary cost to restore covered damage, subject to your deductible and limits. In most states you generally have the right to choose your own contractor, and regulators in places like California and Texas prohibit insurers from requiring a specific repairer (California Fair Claims regulations; Texas Consumer Bill of Rights). Important exception: some policies include an option-to-repair or managed repair program (MRP) endorsement. When invoked, the insurer may direct emergency services and/or permanent repairs through its network; declining can affect benefits where the endorsement allows it (see Citizens Property Insurance Managed Repair Program). Network contractors are aligned to insurer-approved pricing and often come with a workmanship warranty administered by the network/insurer, while hiring independently gives you more say over materials and methods. Given recent claim-cycle pressures and longer repair timelines, communication and scope clarity are critical drivers of satisfaction (J.D. Power 2024).
The low-cost approach may be acceptable for some types of damages such as replacing a few roof shingles, but for higher-end finishes (stone countertops, custom cabinetry, specialty roofing) you may want tighter control over specs and workmanship. Even when you choose your own pro, the insurer typically owes the reasonable cost to restore to pre-loss condition; if your bid is higher than the insurer’s estimate, be ready to justify differences with itemized scope, material specs, and code citations—or use dispute tools like appraisal or mediation if available under your policy and state program (NAIC Model #900 guidance). Pricing scrutiny remains elevated as repair costs are driven more by labor than materials: national price indexes for household maintenance/repair services continue to run in the mid‑single‑digits year over year, and industry pricing for residential remodelers shows increases moderating versus the 2021–2022 spike (BLS CPI Table 3; PPI: Residential Remodelers).
David Miller of Miller Public Adjusters works with homeowners to help them get a fair deal from their home insurance company in case of a claim. According to Miller, “You are not required to work with the contractor the insurance company sent out.” You may prefer to find your own quality contractor or choose from the ones HomeAdvisor has to offer, but treat marketplace screening as a starting point. HomeAdvisor is now operated by Angi; “Angi Certified” focuses screening on the owner/principal, not every worker, and Angi does not employ or supervise pros—so you must verify licenses and insurance yourself (what Angi Certified means; Angi Terms). Also be cautious about broad “assignment of benefits” forms that transfer control of your claim; consumer advocates recommend keeping authorizations narrow and retaining payment control (United Policyholders guidance).
[Read: The Best Homeowners Insurance Companies ]
What is HomeAdvisor?
HomeAdvisor is part of Angi Inc. (“HomeAdvisor powered by Angi/Angi Leads”), a marketplace that connects homeowners with local contractors for nearly any build, remodel, or repair—helping you collect multiple quotes quickly. Angi positions “Angi Certified” pros as having passed certain background, identity, and licensing checks focused on the owner/principal and meeting platform ratings standards, but emphasizes that screening is limited and not a guarantee of workmanship (Angi Certified; Angi Terms).
The HomeAdvisor/Angi trust-and-safety materials are designed to reduce “nightmare contractor” scenarios, yet they come with important limitations: background checks do not cover every employee/subcontractor, screening occurs at enrollment and periodically (not continuously), and Angi does not control or supervise the pros. Any protection programs are separate and limited; for instance, Angi’s Guarantee applies only to eligible jobs booked and paid through Angi and includes caps and exclusions (Angi Guarantee). The marketplace has also faced FTC enforcement over certain marketing claims to pros, underscoring the need for careful vetting by homeowners (FTC action 2022; FTC refunds 2023).
HomeAdvisor indicates it verifies trade licensing where required for the listed service category and may display insurance information when provided, but licenses/coverage can change after verification. Always confirm directly with the issuing authority and ask for a current certificate of insurance. Treat reviews as one signal and request recent references for similar-scope jobs. These marketplace practices mirror industry norms that place responsibility for independent verification on the consumer (Angi Terms; Angi Certified).
When a storm has punctured your roof, you can often request multiple bids within minutes and compare timelines. Expect labor to be the primary driver of today’s repair prices, with emergency/after-hours work commanding premiums; national indexes show service-price inflation moderating from prior peaks but still elevated compared with pre‑2020, and post‑disaster demand can stretch timelines (BLS CPI Table 3; PPI: Residential Remodelers). If you want a platform-backed remedy, verify your project qualifies under the Angi Guarantee before booking and paying through the app (Angi Guarantee). Clear scope documentation and communication are key to satisfaction during busy repair periods (J.D. Power 2024).
Are HomeAdvisor Repairs Covered by Your Homeowners Insurance?
Insurance broker Jade Plummer of Unity One Insurance says that homeowners can usually “choose to get repairs done with any contractor they find as long as the contractor is properly licensed and insured.” HomeAdvisor repairs may likely be covered by your homeowners insurance. But before you hire a contractor, it’s important to go through your insurance company first, even if it’s raining in your living room from the roof damage a tree branch has caused. In most states you can select your own pro, and insurers cannot require a specific vendor absent a contractual right-to-repair (California; Texas). If your policy includes a managed repair/option-to-repair endorsement—common for certain water losses—the insurer may direct emergency services and/or permanent repairs through its network, and opting out may change benefits (Citizens Florida MRP). Coordinate scope and price with the adjuster in writing and keep your documentation organized.
Steps to File a Homeowners Claim
The very first step to take is to notify your insurance company about the damage or loss and start documenting. Most insurers have 24/7 phone, web, or app reporting. Take photos/video, protect the property from further damage, and keep receipts for temporary repairs (Insurance Information Institute). For emergencies, shut off affected utilities safely (power to wet areas; main water for leaks) and begin drying within 24–48 hours to deter mold; wear appropriate PPE and avoid using fuel-burning devices indoors (Ready.gov utility shutoffs; EPA mold guidance).
In case of emergency, the agent will make a decision on the spot on whether to approve a certain amount of money as a stopgap, such as paying for someone to come out and put plywood and tarps on your roof to stop the water damage. Once the emergency is solved, the claims process begins. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), you can expect the following: Along the way, adjusters must investigate promptly and fairly, communicate decisions with reasons, and make equitable settlement offers when liability is reasonably clear (NAIC Unfair Claims Model). If you’re in Florida, be mindful of statutory windows—initial or reopened property claims must be reported within 1 year of the date of loss and supplemental claims within 18 months (Fla. Stat. § 627.70132). For water losses, capture moisture readings and drying logs to support mitigation efforts.
- Your insurance company will send out a claims adjuster to inspect the loss or damage. Provide thorough documentation: photos/video, a detailed, line‑item estimate from your contractor (e.g., Xactimate/RSMeans), permits if required, and receipts for temporary mitigation. Ask your contractor to meet the adjuster on site to align scope early.
- You may receive an initial payment based on the adjuster’s estimate. Many policies pay actual cash value (ACV) first and release recoverable depreciation after you show proof of completed repairs. Keep invoices, change orders, and moisture/drying documentation for supplements and depreciation recovery (III).
- You can proceed with repairs using either an insurer network contractor or your own licensed/insured pro. Trade‑offs: network contractors typically work to insurer pricing and often come with a multi‑year workmanship warranty backed by the network/insurer (e.g., 3 years) and streamlined documentation; independent/marketplace contractors offer more control over materials and upgrades but require more negotiation to align scope/pricing with coverage and generally do not come with a platform warranty unless you book/pay through an eligible program (workmanship warranty example; Angi Guarantee terms; state MRP overview).
- According to the III, the first check isn’t the last. It’s typically “an advance against the total settlement amount.” You may need to request additional funds. If your contractor finds additional covered damage, you can reopen the claim and file for an additional amount. If disagreements persist, use policy and state dispute tools: invoke appraisal if available in your policy, request mediation where your state offers it, and escalate unresolved handling concerns via your state insurance department’s complaint portal (NAIC).
[ Read: Homeowners Insurance Buyer’s Guide ]
Insurance Claims Payments When You Have a Mortgage
If you have a mortgage on your home, you may notice that the check the adjuster writes out is in your name and your lender’s. Your lender is named in the insurance policy and has an interest in making sure the home is maintained in good condition. In this case, you’ll need to deposit the check into an escrow (loss‑draft) account through your lender/servicer. They may stage disbursements as repairs progress and require inspections—standard controls to protect the collateral (CFPB guidance; NFIP Claims Manual).
But first, you’ll need to show them proof of the repairs you’re about to do. Show the mortgage lender your HomeAdvisor bid from the contractor of choice, as well as the amount the contractor requires to get started. Your lender will then release the deposit. They may also want to inspect the completed job before they release the final payment. Although this sounds like a lot of work, it’s in your best interest. Your lender will make sure the job was completed properly before the contractor gets paid in full. Expect to provide contractor bids, permits, lien waivers, photos, and proof of deductible payment; staying current on your mortgage generally simplifies releases, while delinquency can trigger tighter controls. If you do not plan to repair, some servicers may apply proceeds to your loan per the mortgage/policy terms (CFPB; Fannie Mae disaster‑relief guidance).
The Bottom Line
If you have damages or losses to your property, your homeowners insurance is there to cover them. The insurance company may offer to send out their own contractors or you can use your own, as long as they are licensed and insured. To choose confidently: confirm whether your policy includes a managed repair/right‑to‑repair endorsement and how benefits change if you opt out (Citizens MRP); verify licenses and insurance regardless of path; document mitigation and begin drying within 24–48 hours after water loss (EPA); and use clear, line‑item scopes to align with your insurer’s estimate. Insurer networks often provide a workmanship warranty and streamlined documentation; independent/marketplace pros offer more control but usually require more negotiation and do not come with a platform warranty unless you hire and pay through an eligible program (workmanship warranty example; Angi Guarantee). Be wary of broad assignments of benefits that give away claim control (United Policyholders) and follow federal tips on selecting contractors after disasters (FEMA contractor tips).
Photo by John Fedele / GettyImages
