Your insurance company has an adjuster. You have Bear.
When water, fire, or storm damage hits your home, the insurance process can feel like a second emergency. We’ll walk you through it, step by step, so you know what to expect, what to ask, and what your home actually needs to be restored properly.
Insurance companies are represented by their own adjusters. Bear works for you.
The adjuster assigned to your claim works for your insurance company. That’s their job, and most of them do it well. But their estimate is written from their point of view, often in a single visit, often before anyone has looked behind the walls.
Bear is the contractor responsible for putting your home back together, and our responsibility is to you. That means documenting every bit of damage, writing a repair scope that reflects what your home truly needs, and making sure nothing gets missed along the way.
Our team includes former insurance adjusters. They know how claims are evaluated from the inside, what documentation carriers look for, and where damage tends to get overlooked. That experience now works on your behalf, on your repair.
What happens after you call Bear
Every loss is different, but most claims follow the same path. Here’s how we guide you through it.
- 01We make your home safe
Our emergency team responds around the clock to stop the damage from spreading: water extraction, board-up, tarping, and drying. Your policy likely expects you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, and this is that step.
- 02We document everything
Before anything is removed, we photograph, measure, and record the damage, including moisture readings and conditions you can’t see. Thorough documentation is the foundation of a complete repair.
- 03You open your claim
You’ll contact your insurance company to report the loss. We’ll help you understand what information to have ready and what to expect next.
- 04We meet the adjuster at your home
When your insurer’s adjuster inspects the damage, we can be there with you. We’ll walk the property together and share our documentation so the inspection starts with the full picture.
- 05We review the estimate with you
We compare your insurer’s estimate to the repair scope we’ve written and explain any differences in plain language, so you understand what’s included and what may be missing.
- 06We repair, and supplement when needed
Once work begins, hidden damage often appears. When it does, we document it and submit a supplement to your insurer for the additional repair work. You’re kept informed at every step.
- 07We restore your home, start to finish
Because Bear is a full builder with licensed plumbing, electrical, and HVAC in house, we take your home from mitigation through complete reconstruction. One team, one point of contact, and one standard of quality.
Why the first estimate is rarely the whole story
An initial insurance estimate is usually written early, sometimes before the full extent of the damage can be seen. Water travels behind drywall and under flooring. Smoke reaches places that look untouched. Storm damage can affect framing, insulation, and systems that aren’t visible from the outside.
When we uncover damage that wasn’t in the original estimate, we document it and submit a supplement asking your insurer to include that work. On most of our insurance jobs, we end up submitting at least one supplement, because restoring a home properly means repairing everything the event actually damaged.
What Bear does, and what we don’t
We believe you deserve to know exactly what our role is. Here it is, plainly.
What we do
- Respond to your emergency and stop further damage
- Document all damage with photos, measurements, and readings
- Meet your insurer’s adjuster at your home
- Write a detailed, line-item repair scope
- Explain your insurer’s estimate in plain language
- Submit supplements for additional repair work we uncover
- Communicate with your insurer about the scope and cost of the repairs
- Restore your home completely, start to finish
What we don’t do
- Negotiate your claim settlement
- Interpret your policy or tell you what’s covered
- Promise any claim outcome or payment amount
- Take any share of your insurance proceeds
- Pressure you to sign anything before you’re ready
Arkansas does not allow contractors or public adjusters to negotiate claims for homeowners. Questions about coverage belong with your insurance company, and legal questions belong with an attorney. We’ll always tell you which is which.
Insurance claim FAQ
Should I call Bear or my insurance company first?
Call both, but make your home safe first. Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, and that work can't wait for an adjuster's visit. Call Bear for emergency response and call your insurer to open your claim. If you're unsure where to start, call us and we'll talk you through it.
Who does the insurance adjuster work for?
The adjuster assigned to your claim works for your insurance company. Bear works for you, as the contractor responsible for restoring your home.
What should I do before the adjuster arrives?
Take photos and video of the damage, keep damaged items until your insurer says you can dispose of them, and save receipts for anything you spend because of the loss, such as hotel stays or emergency supplies. Write down your claim number and the name of your adjuster. Bear will handle documenting the damage to the structure itself.
What is the difference between mitigation and reconstruction?
Mitigation is the emergency work that stops the damage from getting worse: drying, extraction, board-up, and cleanup. Reconstruction is putting your home back together. Many companies only do the first part. Bear does both, so you don't have to find and manage a second contractor.
What is a supplement?
A supplement is a documented request to your insurer to add repair items that weren't in the original estimate, usually because the damage wasn't visible until work began. Your insurance company decides whether to approve it.
Does Bear make extra money from supplements?
No. Bear never receives any share of claim proceeds. If a supplement is approved, those funds pay for the additional repair work on your home, and that work is the only thing Bear is paid for.
Can Bear negotiate my settlement with the insurance company?
No. Bear is a licensed contractor, not an adjuster or attorney, and Arkansas law does not allow contractors to negotiate claim settlements. We document damage, write the repair scope, and communicate with your insurer about the repairs. Coverage and settlement decisions are between you and your insurance company.
Do I have to use the contractor my insurance company recommends?
Many homeowner policies let you choose your own contractor, and insurer referral programs are often optional. Check your policy or ask your insurer to confirm what applies to you.
Who pays my deductible?
You do. Your deductible is your share of the loss under your policy, and it is paid toward the repair work.
Why is my mortgage company's name on the insurance check?
When a home has a mortgage, insurers often include the lender on the check because the lender has a financial interest in the property. Your lender will have its own process for endorsing and releasing those funds. We can explain what that process usually looks like so it doesn't catch you off guard.
What if I disagree with my insurance company's decision?
You can ask your insurer to explain its decision in writing, request a reinspection, and provide any documentation Bear has prepared. The Arkansas Insurance Department's consumer services division can also help, and you may want to speak with an attorney.
Whatever happened, we’ll see it through
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Call us, tell us what happened, and we’ll guide you through what comes next. Once you’re part of the Bear family, we’re with you from the first call to the day you walk back into a home restored the right way.
Bear Construction & Home Services is a licensed contractor. We are not an insurance company, insurance adjuster, or law firm, and we do not negotiate claim settlements or interpret insurance policies. All coverage decisions are made by your insurance company. Nothing on this page is legal advice; for legal questions about your claim, please consult an attorney.