How Certifications Benefit Restoration Contractors with Insurers

One easily overlooked advantage of becoming certified for restoration contractors is how it benefits their relationships with insurance providers. In an industry where restoration contractors and insurers often find themselves at odds, anything that simplifies and eases interactions with adjusters is helpful. At OCS, we negotiate on behalf of our contractors with insurance adjusters to maximize claims payouts, so we’re well-versed in how insurance providers regard certification. Here are some of the ways being certified impacts contractor-adjuster relationships:

An insurance adjuster and restoration contractor discuss a job.

Certification Builds Your Restoration Knowledge Base

“As a certified contractor, you are able to speak from a place of knowledge,” Stephen Smith, a Contractor Success Manager at OCS, explains. This is because, in general, becoming licensed or certified in a restoration skill entails training, exams, on-the-job training, experience, continuing education, or a combination of all five. For example, IICRC certification, the most common certification in the restoration industry, involves taking an in-person or livestream course on the topic taught by an industry expert. At the end of the course, technicians must take and pass a comprehensive test to become officially certified. IICRC certification also has continuing education requirements requiring technicians to complete fourteen continuing education credit hours per four years, ensuring technicians stay up to date on best practices.

Part of the knowledge you gain during certification is learning about industry standards. For restoration contractors, being well-versed in industry standards is a necessity for successful claim negotiations with carriers. One of the most common pushbacks restorers get from adjusters is that something they did as a part of a restoration job was “unnecessary.” When you abide by industry standards during projects, you can point to the S500, the official standard for professional water damage restoration, or any other formal set of standards and prove that the work you did was necessary.

Certification Boosts Your Credibility & Reduces Unnecessary Pushback

While not a requirement, certification, especially IICRC certification, is an expectation. If you don’t become certified, you put yourself at a disadvantage when it comes to negotiating with insurers. As Stephen explains it, being certified tells providers, “You can’t pull a fast one on me.” When adjusters see you’re certified in your email signature, it indicates to them that you have a certain level of knowledge, making your odds of adjusters negotiating in good faith better. There is less room for adjusters to try and get around what you’re saying,” Stephen explains.

What Certifications Do I Need?

Becoming IICRC certified in the services your restoration business provides is always a good idea. We also recommend getting your General Contractor’s license if you do reconstruction work. But, ultimately, what other certifications you get is a personal decision you should base on your business’s services and needs.

Read more about why we consider IICRC certification and General Contractor’s licenses must-haves in our recent blog post.

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