If you've filed a property insurance claim, your insurance company may recommend a restoration contractor to respond to your loss. That recommendation can be a convenient starting point, but it's important to understand how these programs work—and to know that the choice of restoration contractor is always yours.
This guide explains what preferred vendor programs are, how they operate, and why Summit has chosen to remain an independent restoration company.
What is a preferred vendor program?
Many insurance companies maintain networks of restoration contractors that participate in preferred vendor or managed repair programs. These contractors agree to follow program requirements established by the insurance carrier, which may include documentation procedures, pricing agreements, response expectations, and quality standards.
In return, participating contractors may receive referrals when policyholders report a covered loss.
Preferred vendor programs are common throughout the restoration industry and represent one way insurance companies connect policyholders with restoration contractors after a loss.
Understanding your options
When you report a property claim, your insurance company may recommend a restoration contractor that participates in its preferred vendor program.
These programs establish ongoing working relationships between insurance carriers and participating restoration companies, including agreed-upon processes for documentation, communication, pricing, and claim administration.
Understanding how these programs work is helpful.
Understanding your options is even more important.
Regardless of who your insurance company recommends, you have the right to choose the restoration contractor you trust. Selecting the company that will inspect your property, explain the damage, and guide you through the restoration process is an important decision—one that should be based on confidence, communication, and trust.
The value of independent representation
After a property loss, several professionals come together to help restore your home and settle your insurance claim.
Each has an important role.
Your insurance company determines what is covered under your policy.
Your insurance adjuster evaluates the claim and applies your policy coverage.
Your restoration contractor evaluates the condition of your property, documents the damage, and recommends the work needed to restore it.
Those responsibilities are different, but they all contribute to helping you recover after a loss.
At Summit, we've chosen to remain independent because we believe homeowners deserve recommendations based solely on the documented conditions of their property and established restoration industry standards.
Our role is to carefully inspect the damage, document what we find, explain your options, and communicate openly with both you and your insurance company throughout the restoration process.
We also believe our customers deserve a true partner throughout the claims process. That's why we take the time to explain our findings, answer your questions, and provide the documentation needed to help support the appropriate scope of restoration for your property.
Our responsibility isn't to determine what's covered under your insurance policy—that's the insurance carrier's role.
Our responsibility is to advocate for the proper restoration of your property by ensuring the documented damage is thoroughly evaluated, clearly communicated, and accurately represented throughout the claims process.
Why we've chosen a different path
Many excellent restoration companies participate in preferred vendor programs, and those programs are a common part of the insurance claims process.
At Summit, we've simply chosen a different path.
Summit chooses independence so our restoration recommendations are based on the conditions we document and the restoration standards applicable to the project. We still work collaboratively with insurance carriers and adjusters throughout the process and advocate for our customers by standing behind the restoration scope and pricing we believe are appropriate.
We've chosen to remain independent because it allows us to focus entirely on providing an objective assessment of your property's condition and recommending the restoration work we believe is appropriate based on the documented evidence and established restoration industry standards.
That independence allows us to partner directly with our customers throughout the restoration process. We work alongside you, communicate with your insurance carrier, provide detailed documentation, and help ensure the scope of work accurately reflects the documented conditions of your property.
Our independence doesn't change how we work with insurance carriers.
In fact, we work alongside insurance adjusters every day and value the relationships we've built over nearly five decades.
Our goal isn't to create conflict or make the claims process more difficult. Our goal is to provide the information, documentation, and professional expertise needed to help everyone reach the right outcome for your property.
When questions arise about the extent of the damage or the appropriate restoration approach, we believe our customers deserve a contractor who will take the time to explain the situation, support their recommendations with documented evidence, and communicate professionally with everyone involved.
Your right to choose
Many homeowners don't realize they have a choice.
In both Oregon and Washington, you have the right to choose the restoration contractor you want to perform the work on your property.
Whether you choose a contractor recommended by your insurance company or one you select independently, the decision is yours.
We simply encourage every homeowner to ask questions, understand their options, and choose the company they believe is the best fit for their property, their family, and their peace of mind.
Everyone has a role
After thousands of restoration projects, we've learned that the best outcomes happen when everyone works together.
The insurance company determines coverage under the policy.
The insurance adjuster evaluates the claim.
The restoration contractor assesses the damage, documents the loss, and recommends the work needed to restore the property.
The homeowner makes the decisions that are best for their family and property.
At Summit, we're proud to serve as an independent restoration partner—working collaboratively with insurance professionals while partnering with our customers to help ensure their property is restored properly, their questions are answered, and the documented scope of work accurately reflects the conditions of their loss.
Remember
Your insurance company may recommend a restoration contractor, but the decision is ultimately yours. Choose the company you trust to thoroughly assess your property, communicate clearly, and partner with you throughout the restoration process.
Questions we hear about this
Do I have to use the restoration contractor my insurance company recommends?
No. In both Oregon and Washington, you have the right to choose the restoration contractor who performs the work on your property. Your insurance company may recommend a preferred vendor, but the decision is always yours.
Will my claim take longer if I choose an independent contractor?
Not inherently. The claims process follows the same policy steps regardless of who does the work. An experienced independent contractor handles documentation and carrier communication just as efficiently—Summit has coordinated claims with Oregon and Washington carriers since 1978.
Does Summit still work with insurance companies?
Yes. We work alongside insurance adjusters every day and value the relationships we've built over nearly five decades. Remaining independent simply lets us base our recommendations on the documented conditions of your property and communicate openly with everyone involved.
What should I look for when choosing a restoration contractor?
Choose a company you trust to inspect your property carefully, document the damage thoroughly, communicate clearly, and guide you through the process. Confirming licensing and certifications is always a good step—Summit is an IICRC certified firm licensed in Oregon (CCB# 153107) and Washington (L&I# SUMMICG857ML).
Next step
You understand the problem — now weigh your options.
Side-by-side comparisons show where DIY genuinely works, what the methods differ on, and how restoration companies actually vary.