How to Get Insurance Work as a Contractor (And Join Managed Repair Programs)

Insurance claims for homes and commercial buildings are an incredible revenue source for restoration companies and contractors. They provide a consistent alternative revenue source that can help you grow and diversify your business.

However, the process for qualifying and working with insurance companies is complex. This guide will help you understand the landscape and navigate exactly how to get insurance work as both a subcontractor and a general restoration company.

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. When a disaster strikes—a pipe bursts, a fire occurs, or a storm causes a commercial property loss—restoration companies get involved.

Insurance carriers and homeowners rely on restoration companies to show up 24/7, 365 days a year. They specialize in cleaning, repairing, and restoring properties to their pre-loss condition. Core services often include:

• Water mitigation (floods, burst pipes)
• Fire and smoke damage cleanup
• Mold remediation
• Contents restoration
• Storm and wind damage repair
• Biohazard cleanup (trauma scenes or sewage backups)
• Reconstruction

Restoration companies are usually the first ones on the scene. They mitigate the damage to prevent further loss—a time-sensitive activity where faster dry-outs mean less overall damage. Because they are already on-site, restoration companies are often asked to oversee the reconstruction, acting as the general contractor.

How the Insurance Claim and Restoration Process Works

Most restoration work is initiated during or immediately after a policyholder files a property damage claim. Here is the typical flow:

1. Damage Occurs: A qualifying event, such as a water leak or fire, damages the property.
2. Initial Contact: The policyholder files a claim with their insurance carrier OR calls a restoration company to the property immediately.
3. Sourcing a Pro: If a claim is filed first, the policyholder is either directed to source their own mitigation services or offered a Managed Repair Program (MRP).
4. Mitigation: The restoration company mitigates the damage, ensuring the scope and actions taken meet strict insurance carrier standards.
5. Evaluation: An insurance adjuster evaluates the damage and declares a replacement value for the property to be restored.
6. Reconstruction: The policyholder selects a restoration company, a general contractor, or an MRP vendor to restore the property to pre-loss condition.
7. Payout: Upon approval of the scope and costs, the insurance carrier releases funds to the policyholder, the contractor, the MRP, or a combination of these parties.

What is a Managed Repair Program (MRP) in Construction?

MRPs are networks of pre-vetted contractors that an insurance company recommends or requires policyholders to use for covered repairs. Think of an MRP as the preferred vendor network for insurers.

Insurance carriers create these networks with vendors who agree to set pricing, strict service standards, and communication protocols. When a claim is filed, the insurer refers the claim to the MRP, which then assigns a pre-vetted contractor from their network. The contractor performs the work, the insurer pays the MRP, and the MRP pays the contractor.

The Relationship Between Contractors and MRPs

Restoration companies benefit from MRPs by getting a steady, predictable flow of leads. In return, they must:

• Meet and maintain specific compliance requirements (insurance, licenses, certifications, and background checks).
• Adhere to strict service-level agreements (SLAs).
• Use standardized pricing software (like Xactimate or Symbility).
• Submit detailed documentation and photos.
• Accept lower profit margins in exchange for volume.

Not all restoration companies participate in MRPs; many prefer to work independently to maintain control over their pricing and scope.

Pros and Cons of Managed Repair Programs

How to Join a Managed Repair Program (The Fast Way)

Contractors and restoration companies can join an MRP by applying directly to their network. However, the traditional manual application, onboarding, and credentialing process can take anywhere from 4 to 6 months.

The Sublynk Shortcut: Instead of spending months manually applying to different networks, contractors can join the Sublynk Certified Network for $300/year. Our platform uses an AI-Driven Compliance Engine to verify your credentials, state licenses, IRS records,  insurance, and more directly at the source.

You receive a portable "Public Profile" that instantly proves your compliance to MRPs, General Contractors, and Property Managers. For the MRPs that partner with Sublynk, this streamlined verification allows you to complete onboarding and credentialing in as little as one day.

To qualify for insurance restoration jobs and MRPs, contractors must generally maintain the following compliance minimums:

• 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 & Professional Liability: Up to $1,000,000 each
• Licenses: Any state or federal licenses required for your specific trade.
• Background Checks: Ongoing checks on owners, personnel, and subcontractors that meet network standards.

Industry Certifications:

You will also stand out by holding 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 (including Roofing)

What If I Am a Single Trade or Subcontractor?

Restoration companies are always looking for great subs. Most restoration companies rely heavily on subcontractors (drywallers, painters, electricians, plumbers) to complete the reconstruction phase of their projects. As a single trade contractor, you can find a limitless amount of work if you partner with restoration companies.

The Problem: Usually, you have to jump through massive administrative hoops to get that work. You are forced to manually provide COIs, sign new contracts, and run new background checks for every single restoration company or GC you want to work with.

The Solution: Stop doing this manually. By becoming Sublynk Certified, you complete this vetting process once. You can simply share your verified Sublynk Profile with any restoration company to prove your compliance instantly. Plus, because you are in the closed network, restoration companies and other B2B organizations that need you can find you and send you work with zero per-lead fees or recruiting cuts.