Louisiana law says an insurer cannot require you to use a particular preferred vendor or recommended contractor when paying a property damage claim.
Louisiana Revised Statute 22:1892 also says that if an insurer recommends a particular preferred vendor or contractor, the insurer must inform the insured or claimant that they are under no obligation to use that contractor for the repairs, replacement, restoration or remediation of the property.
After roof damage, a homeowner may receive a contractor name from an insurance company, claims representative or vendor program.
That recommendation can be convenient. It may provide another company for the homeowner to consider.
But a recommendation and a requirement are not the same thing.
Louisiana law specifically addresses this distinction for residential and commercial property damage claims.
What Does Louisiana Law Say About Preferred Contractors?
Louisiana Revised Statute 22:1892 contains specific protections involving preferred vendors and recommended contractors.
The statute states that an insurer shall not require repairs, replacement, restoration or remediation to an insured's property to be performed by a particular preferred vendor or recommended contractor when the insurer is making payment on a residential or commercial property damage claim.
It also says an insurer cannot recommend a particular preferred vendor or contractor without informing the insured or claimant that they are under no obligation to use that company.
Preferred does not mean required.
An insurance company may recommend a vendor or contractor, but Louisiana law requires the homeowner to be told that the recommended company does not have to be used.
Homeowners can review the current statute directly through the Louisiana State Legislature .
What Does That Mean for a Louisiana Homeowner?
The homeowner can
- Consider the contractor recommended by the insurance company
- Obtain estimates from other licensed roofing contractors
- Compare proposed materials, scope and construction pricing
- Verify contractor licensing and credentials
- Choose a qualified contractor based on the homeowner's own decision
The insurer can
- Maintain relationships with preferred vendors or contractors
- Recommend a contractor during the claim process
- Explain its own preferred vendor program
- Evaluate the insurance claim under the policy
- Inform the homeowner that use of the recommended contractor is not required
Louisiana Department of Insurance Gives Homeowners the Same Message
Louisiana Department of Insurance catastrophe claim guidance separately identifies preferred contractor recommendations as a consumer issue.
LDI tells policyholders that an insurance company is prohibited from recommending a particular vendor or contractor without also telling the homeowner that the homeowner is not obligated to use those services.
That consumer guidance matches the language found in R.S. 22:1892.
Three Things Homeowners Should Keep Separate
Contractor Recommendation
An insurer can provide a contractor recommendation or preferred vendor option.
Contractor Selection
Louisiana law says the insurer cannot require a particular preferred contractor when making payment on the property claim.
Insurance Coverage
Choosing a contractor does not by itself determine what an insurance policy covers or what the insurer owes on the claim.
What Might This Look Like During a Roof Claim?
“We have a preferred roofing contractor available in your area.”
“Am I required to use that roofing company?”
When making payment on a residential or commercial property damage claim, the insurer cannot require the insured to use the particular preferred vendor or recommended contractor. A recommendation must also be accompanied by notice that the insured is not obligated to use that contractor.
Does Choosing Your Own Roofer Mean the Insurance Company Must Pay Any Price?
No.
The homeowner's ability to select a contractor and the insurer's obligation to pay a covered loss are separate issues.
A roofing contractor can prepare a legitimate construction estimate and explain its materials, measurements, proposed work and pricing.
The insurance company separately adjusts the claim under the insurance policy.
If the contractor's construction estimate and the insurance estimate differ, the homeowner should compare the actual scope and supporting information rather than assuming contractor choice automatically determines the amount payable under the policy.
For a deeper explanation, see our guide on insurance adjuster estimates versus roofing contractor estimates .
An Important Policy Nuance
Louisiana's prohibition against requiring a preferred vendor or recommended contractor should not be confused with every other right or option that may exist under a specific insurance policy.
Louisiana's standard fire policy provisions include language giving an insurer certain options to repair, rebuild or replace damaged property when the insurer properly exercises that contractual option.
Whether that provision applies to a particular loss or policy is an insurance or legal question. Wall2Wall does not interpret insurance policies or advise homeowners about the legal effect of individual policy provisions.
The narrower preferred contractor rule is clear: an insurer making payment on a property damage claim cannot simply require the homeowner to use a particular preferred vendor or recommended contractor.
What Should You Look for When Choosing Your Own Roofer?
Being able to choose does not mean every roofing company is equally qualified.
Louisiana Department of Insurance recommends hiring reputable contractors, obtaining multiple written estimates and verifying contractor credentials and licensing.
Verify the contractor's Louisiana license.
Check licensing directly through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors rather than relying only on advertising.
Ask for a detailed written estimate.
The proposal should clearly describe the roofing work, materials and pricing rather than relying on vague promises about insurance.
Understand the proposed roofing system.
Ask what materials will be installed and why specific roofing components are part of the proposed scope.
Read the contract before signing.
Louisiana contractor law requires written contracting agreements to contain specific information for work requiring licensure or registration.
Choose based on construction quality.
The contractor should earn the project through roofing knowledge, clear communication and a credible scope of work rather than a promise about an insurance outcome.
Is There Anything Wrong With Using the Insurance Company's Preferred Roofer?
Not necessarily.
A preferred vendor may be a qualified company and may be a perfectly reasonable option for the homeowner.
The important point is that the label preferred should not be mistaken for required.
Homeowners can evaluate the recommended contractor using the same standards they would use for any other roofing company: licensing, experience, materials, scope, pricing, communication and the written contract.
Why Contractor Choice Matters in Baton Rouge
After major wind, hail or hurricane damage, homeowners across Baton Rouge, Prairieville, Gonzales, Denham Springs and surrounding communities may be dealing with insurance representatives and roofing contractors at the same time.
That can make the process feel as though the contractor is simply another part of the insurance claim.
It is useful to remember that the roofing contract and the insurance policy are separate relationships.
The insurance company handles the claim.
The roofing contractor is responsible for the construction work it agrees to perform.
Choosing a roofer should therefore involve evaluating the company that will actually be responsible for your roof.
What Wall2Wall Can Help You Evaluate
Wall2Wall Roofing & Construction can inspect the physical condition of your roof, explain the roofing work we recommend and provide a clear construction estimate.
We can explain our materials, measurements, scope and pricing so you understand what Wall2Wall is proposing before you choose a contractor.
We do not interpret your insurance policy or tell you what your insurer is legally required to cover.
If your roof can be repaired, explore our roof repair services .
If replacement is appropriate, learn more about our roof replacement services .
If your roof was damaged by severe weather, visit our storm damage roofing page.
Choose your roofer based on the roof.
Wall2Wall can inspect your property, explain the construction work we recommend and provide a clear roofing estimate so you can make an informed contractor decision.
Official Louisiana Sources
This guide was prepared using primary Louisiana government resources. Homeowners can review the underlying statutes and state consumer guidance directly below.
