When your home takes damage — whether from a storm, water leak, fire, or another disaster — the last thing you want is a delay in getting repairs started. You call your contractor, sign the paperwork, and think things will move quickly… but then the insurance claim drags on.
At New Beginnings Construction, we hear the frustration from homeowners all the time:
“Why is this taking so long?”
“Is my contractor holding things up?”
Here’s the truth: if your insurance claim is delayed, it’s almost never because of your contractor.
Let’s break down what’s really happening behind the scenes — and what you can do to speed things up.
1. Insurance Adjuster Backlogs
After a major storm or regional event, thousands of claims hit insurance desks at once. Adjusters are often overwhelmed and simply can’t inspect every property quickly.
- What this means for you: Weeks (sometimes up to a month or more, if it’s following a major event) of waiting just to get an inspection scheduled.
- Why it’s not your contractor’s fault: We can’t begin repairs until the insurance company documents the damage and approves the scope of work.
2. Paperwork & Documentation Requirements
Whether it’s storm, fire, or water damage, insurance companies often require multiple layers of documentation: photos, detailed estimates, line-item breakdowns, and sometimes even third-party engineering reports.
- What this means for you: More back-and-forth emails, calls, and requests for “just one more form.”
- Why it’s not your contractor’s fault: We thoroughly document each and every project, and have hundreds of files of supporting documents, code and manufacture requirements, to support the most common discrepancies we frequently see. Armed with all of this, we supply what they ask for, but the review process is ultimately controlled by the carrier.
3. Discrepancies Between Insurance Estimates & Contractor Estimates
Contractors who specialize in insurance work typically will use the same software (Xactimate) that insurance companies do, but there’s a big difference in how it’s used. Carriers often write for the bare minimum, while we would write for the entire job that actually needs to be done — including code requirements, manufacturer specs, and the details that truly restore your home.
Even with all the photos and explanations we provide, adjusters still take time to review, question, and push back on certain items. That review process is where lengthy delays can happen.
- What this means for you: You may see some back-and-forth before the claim is fully approved, but it’s not wasted time — it’s making sure your project is fully covered, minimizing your out of pocket expenses.
- Why it’s not your contractor’s fault: We’re fighting to ensure nothing gets missed and your home is repaired the right way. The pace of approval is set by your insurer, not us.
The upside of a delay: It often means we’re fighting for you. Our job is to make sure your property is restored to its pre-loss condition the right way — with no shortcuts. With years of experience negotiating with insurance carriers, we know how to push for the coverage you deserve while ensuring every repair meets code — and not to your expense.
4. Internal Insurance Delays
Sometimes the biggest slowdown isn’t the storm damage, the paperwork, or even the pricing — it’s the red tape inside the insurance company. Claims often bounce between departments, get reassigned to a new adjuster, or sit on a supervisor’s desk waiting for approval. Every extra hand in the process adds days (sometimes weeks) to your timeline.
- What this means for you: You may hear a lot of “your claim is under review”, experience silence after leaving voicemails, or find yourself getting shuffled from one representative to another. It feels like you’re stuck in limbo while your home is still in need of repairs.
- Why it’s not your contractor’s fault: Contractors don’t control how fast your insurance company moves paperwork through their system. Just like you, we’re waiting on their approvals before the project can move forward.
- How New Beginnings helps: The difference is, we don’t just sit back and hope your claim gets attention. Our team is proactive — calling, emailing, and following up regularly with adjusters and carrier reps to keep your claim at the top of their pile. We make sure your file doesn’t “slip through the cracks,” and we know the saying “The squeaky wheel gets the grease” is very true when it comes to progress with your claim.
5. Mortgage Company Involvement
If you have a mortgage on your home, chances are your insurance check won’t just be written to you, it’ll be made out to both you and your lender. On the surface that might not sound like a big deal, but it adds another layer of red tape. Before any funds can be used, your mortgage company has to sign off, and in some cases even hold the money in escrow until they’ve inspected that the work has been done.
- What this means for you: Even after your insurance company has cut the check, you may not see the funds right away. They could sit in your lender’s office waiting for signatures, processing, or release requirements. It can feel frustrating when you’ve “been paid,” but you don’t have the money in hand just quite yet.
- Why it’s not your contractor’s fault: Just like you, we’re waiting on the mortgage company to do their part. And often, this slows us down at the very end of the project — when we’re ready to close things out, settle our books, and file manufacturer warranties for the work we completed. Until funds are fully released, we can’t close the job on our side either. So, while it may look like the contractor is holding things up, the reality is we’re stuck waiting too.
- The upside of knowing this ahead of time: We can help guide you through your lender’s requirements, explain what documents they might ask for, and keep the process moving. It’s not the most exciting part of the project, but being prepared for this step makes a huge difference in how quickly everything wraps up.
New Beginnings Construction Covers More Than Just Storm Damage
Yes, we’re known for storm restoration — but that’s not all we do. Homeowners call us for:
- Storm damage repairs (roofing, siding, gutters, windows, and more)
- Water damage restoration (interior/exterior repairs after leaks or flooding)
- Fire damage repair (structural, smoke, and interior remodeling)
- Remodeling projects (kitchens, bathrooms, open-concept living spaces)
- Exterior upgrades (Hardie and Vinyl siding, doors, replacement windows, roofing, roof repairs, decks, and more)
No matter the project, our goal is the same: restore your home beautifully, safely, and with complete transparency.
How New Beginnings Construction Helps
While we can’t control insurance company timelines, here’s what we can do for you:
✔️ Accurate, detailed estimates — so claims have fewer back-and-forth revisions.
✔️ Documentation support — photos, scope notes, and anything the adjuster needs.
✔️ Direct communication — we’ll speak with your insurance carrier directly to keep the process moving.
✔️ Transparency — we’ll update you on what’s happening (and why) every step of the way.
Mini Homeowner Checklist: 6 Ways to Speed Up an Insurance Claim
- File your claim immediately after damage occurs, don’t wait. Use us to guide you through this process for a more seamless and faster process.
- Document everything take photos and videos before temporary repairs. We also assist in this process for you! We are here to serve and be a blessing to our customers. Proper documentation is key.
- Keep communication in writing, emails and texts create a paper trail.
- Respond quickly to insurance requests, delays compound when forms sit unanswered.
- Work with a trusted contractor who can provide detailed estimates and advocate on your behalf.
- Be your own advocate, too. If you feel your insurance adjuster isn’t seeing the full scope of work or is pushing back unfairly, speak up. Send emails, make calls, and let them know you expect the job to be done right. When you stand firm — and your contractor is backing you up — it’s much harder for the carrier to cut corners.
Key Takeaway
If your claim is delayed, don’t blame your contractor. The holdup is almost always with the insurance process — not the people ready to repair your roof, siding, or home interior.
At New Beginnings Construction, our job is to stand beside you, advocate for you, and make sure your home is restored as quickly and fairly as possible.
👉 Need help with storm, water, or fire damage — or planning your next remodel? Call New Beginnings Construction today and let’s protect, restore, and improve your home with peace of mind.
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We remodel kitchens across Charleston, Summerville, Goose Creek, Mount Pleasant, Johns Island, and surrounding Lowcountry communities.
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