Insurers usually send adjusters to the worst-hit homes first. If your home suffered only minor damage, be patient. Many adjusters and agents are authorized to issue checks on the spot to cover the cost of temporary housing. Get bids from several licensed contractors on repair jobs and present them to your adjuster. You should be free to pick the contractor of your choice, with the adjuster's consent.
Some companies provide lists of recommended contractors.
If you and your insurance company can't settle on how much it will cost to repair your home, the Insurance Information Institute suggests contacting the company's claims department manager. If you still can't agree, you and the insurance company can present the claim to a state- run mediation program. Litigation should be a last resort in settling a claim. Cases can cost thousands of dollars in legal fees and take years to resolve.