Working With An Insurance Agent

A significant part of most contractor’s business comes from repairs from storm or other damages. For the vast majority of residential (and more than a few corporate) property owners, navigating the mess of paperwork that comes with filing an insurance claim is a nightmare. Fortunately, there are a plethora of knowledgeable insurance agents out there that can help with this and as much as an agent can be a boon to customers, a contractor can benefit from knowing a few agents as well.

The advantage of the contractor/ agent connection can work in both directions. From the contractor’s side of the equation, an experienced agent with a large client base can refer business to a favored contractor, especially during storm season. Just as auto insurance companies and agents have dealerships that they prefer to work with for hail or collisions damage, a reputable and willing contractor can be part of a home insurance agent’s referral list. The contractor, having created and maintained a healthy relationship with an agent, might find upwards of 10-15 new projects a month. As an added bonus, the referral from a trusted agent, combined with a great repair job, will make for even happier customers, since the homeowner probably didn’t have to pay for the whole job, and as any service provider knows, happy customers lead to more referrals.

On the other hand, the insurance agent gains from having a contractor connection as well. By having a quick referral for clients who may be staying in a hotel because their home is uninhabitable, the agent is able to provide rapid results, thereby looking better in the client’s eyes. If the agent is really good at the job, then paperwork, permits, and construction can be completed before the client even knows what happened; garnering good reviews and, like the contractor, more referrals.

However, the contact between agent and contractor should go farther than simply knowing each other and the quality of the other’s work. Regular conversations should take place so that both are educated as to the other’s processes. The agent should know what the contractor’s specialties are and what the contractor may need for information to get the repairs rolling. In the case of a roofer, the agent should learn what materials the roofer would recommend using and why. The agent can then relay this info to the client as a preparation for discussion with the roofer. Conversely, the roofer should be familiar with the rudiments of the agent’s claims process to both anticipate obstacles and be able to answer simple questions from the client during the project, should they arise. By understanding the other’s business in some small way, both agent and contractor are better able to integrate with the other’s services and be more knowledgeable when approached by the client.

In these ways, a healthy relationship between contractor and insurance agent can not only boost the business of the other, but enhance the quality of service for the client. Constant communication, education, and collaboration will be a great benefit for all three.