Right to Repair: When the Carrier Sends Their Contractor
Insurance companies use right-to-repair clauses to control repairs. Your rights, how to manage the carrier's contractor, and when to push back.
By Leland Coontz III, Licensed Public Adjuster · July 5, 2026
California-specific: This article discusses California law, regulations, and claim practice unless noted otherwise. Rules in other states differ.
This Article Is Not Legal Advice
This article is educational commentary by a Licensed California Public Adjuster. It is not legal advice. For legal questions about your specific situation, consult a licensed California attorney.
"Right to Repair" clauses are becoming more common in insurance policies. These provisions give the insurance company the option to repair your property directly using their own chosen contractor, instead of paying you the cash value of the loss.
On the surface, this might sound convenient — the insurance company handles everything. In practice, it gives the carrier enormous control over the quality, scope, and cost of repairs to your home.
How Right to Repair Works
When a carrier invokes their right to repair, they select and pay a contractor directly to perform the repairs. The homeowner does not receive a check — the money goes straight to the carrier's chosen contractor.
The problem is that this contractor works for the insurance company, not for you. Their incentive is to keep the insurance company happy — which means keeping costs down, not maximizing the quality of your repairs.
Managing the Carrier's Contractor
If the insurance company sends their contractor, treat them exactly the way consumer protection agencies recommend you treat any contractor working on your home. In California, the Contractors State License Board has extensive guidance on homeowner rights:
- Verify the contractor's license. Call the CSLB at (800) 321-2752 or check their website. Licensed contractors must post a $25,000 bond.
- Ask for references. Visit homes where they have done work and review the quality.
- Get a written contract that states the work, the price, completion timeline, and materials to be used.
- Do not allow excessive down payments. In California, contractors can only collect $1,000 or 10% of the total cost, whichever is less.
- Schedule payments based on completed work. Do not let payments get ahead of the work actually done.
- Document everything with photos before, during, and after repairs.
California Right to Choose — 10 CCR § 2695.9
In California, two provisions of the Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations control how carrier-directed repairs work:
10 CCR § 2695.9(b)— “No insurer shall require that the insured have the property repaired by a specific individual or entity.” The carrier may recommend a preferred vendor, but it cannot force the insured to use that vendor.
10 CCR § 2695.9(c)(2)— If the insured accepts the insurer’s recommendation, the insurer shall cause the damaged property to be “restored to no less than its condition prior to the loss and repaired in a manner which meets accepted trade standards for good and workmanlike construction at no additional cost to the claimant.” In other words, if a homeowner accepts the carrier’s preferred contractor and the work falls short, the responsibility is the carrier’s — not the homeowner’s.
If the carrier's contractor does substandard work, those provisions support a push for redo, supplement, or cash settlement. And if a homeowner cancels the carrier’s contractor without cause, the carrier may argue the cancellation itself breaches the policy or the regulation’s framework — consult an attorney before terminating a carrier-engaged contractor.
Common Problems with Carrier Contractors
- Substandard work quality— preferred vendors are often selected for price, not quality
- Skipping scope items— doing only what the carrier authorized, not what the home actually needs
- Using cheaper materials— substituting lower-grade materials for what was originally in the home
- Rushing the timeline— completing work quickly at the expense of thoroughness
- Not pulling permits— skipping required building permits to save time and cost
Protecting Yourself
Even if you accept the carrier's contractor, you have every right to monitor the work, demand quality, and raise concerns. Keep a detailed log of the work being done, take daily photos, and do not sign off on completed work until you are satisfied it meets professional standards.
If you encounter problems with the carrier's contractor, document everything in writing and notify both the contractor and the insurance company. If the issues are not resolved, consult with a Public Adjuster or attorney about your options.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Insurance policies and applicable law vary by state and by policy form. Consult with a licensed professional regarding your specific situation.
Written by Leland Coontz III, Licensed Public Adjuster, CA License #2B53445.
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