This is a plain-English summary of Oregon rules, with links to the rules themselves. It isn't legal advice. For a dispute, contact the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation's consumer advocates at 888-877-4894 (Oregon DFR) or an attorney.
Do I have to use my insurance company's preferred contractor?
No. Oregon's homeowners bill of rights says, "You have the right to use any contractor." It adds that there can be benefits to using contractors who have a relationship with your insurer, and that it's good practice to check references and license status (Oregon DFR).
How long does an Oregon insurer have to handle my claim?
Under Oregon rules, an insurer must acknowledge a claim within 30 days (OAR 836-080-0225), finish its investigation within 45 days unless it can't reasonably be done in that time (OAR 836-080-0230), and accept or deny the claim within 30 days of receiving properly executed proofs of loss (OAR 836-080-0235). A denial must be in writing and cite the specific policy provision.
The claim, step by step
- Make it safe and stop the damage. Shut off water, board up openings, tarp the roof. Oregon's regulator tells homeowners to protect property from further damage and save receipts (Oregon DFR).
- Document before cleanup. Photos and video of every affected room, the source of the damage, and damaged belongings. Keep anything removed, like a failed supply line, if you can.
- Report the claim promptly. Write down the claim number, your adjuster's name and every call date.
- Start mitigation, not permanent repairs. Drying, extraction and board-up protect the property. The regulator's guidance is not to make permanent repairs until your insurer inspects (Oregon DFR).
- Get a line-item estimate. Every task, quantity and unit price, plus daily moisture readings for water jobs.
- Meet the adjuster with your records. Walk them through photos, readings and the estimate.
- Track the deadlines below. If the insurer needs more time, it has to tell you why in writing.
- If you disagree, ask for the decision in writing with the policy language it relies on, and contact DFR. You may also hire a public adjuster at your own cost (Oregon DFR).
Oregon claim deadlines
| Step | Deadline | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Acknowledge your claim (or pay it) | Within 30 days of notice | OAR 836-080-0225 |
| Reply to your communications | Within 30 days | OAR 836-080-0225 |
| Finish the investigation | Within 45 days of notice, unless it can't reasonably be completed | OAR 836-080-0230 |
| Accept or deny | Within 30 days of receiving properly executed proofs of loss | OAR 836-080-0235 |
| If more time is needed | Written notice with reasons within 30 days, then written updates every 45 days | OAR 836-080-0235 |
Rule text via Oregon Public Law; the official text is published by the Oregon Secretary of State.
What a homeowners policy usually covers
| Loss | Typical coverage | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Burst pipe or sudden plumbing leak | Typically covered | NAIC |
| Roof leak from sudden damage | Typically covered; a roof that's worn out and starts leaking is treated as upkeep | NAIC |
| Flood from rising water, runoff or snowmelt | Not covered by most homeowners policies; needs flood insurance, usually with a 30-day wait | FEMA FloodSmart, NAIC |
| Groundwater seepage | Generally not covered | Oregon DFR |
| Sewer or drain backup | Often covered only with an add-on endorsement | Oregon DFR, NAIC |
| Mold | Often excluded or limited | NAIC |
| Fire and smoke | A standard covered peril; check your policy's limits and exclusions | NAIC |
General patterns only. Your policy's wording controls. Read the declarations page and exclusions, or ask your agent.
Protections after wildfires and declared disasters
Oregon strengthened homeowner protections after the 2020 Labor Day fires.
- Time to rebuild: at least 12 months to rebuild or replace, extendable to 24. For losses in a declared emergency, at least 24 months, extendable to 36 (HB 3272 (2021)).
- Additional living expenses: for emergency losses to a primary home, 24 months of coverage, extendable to 36 (HB 3272 (2021)). Oregon law also provides for additional time after a governor-declared major disaster, up to policy limits (Oregon DFR).
- Contents without a full inventory: after a total loss in a governor-declared major disaster, you can request up to 70% of your personal property payout without an inventory (Oregon DFR, HB 2982 (2023)).
- Conflagration fires: at least 24 months from the insurer's first payment to rebuild, extendable to 36 (SB 82 (2023)).
- Wildfire risk: a policy can't be canceled midterm because of active wildfire risk (Oregon DFR), and insurers must give property-specific reasons and mitigation options when wildfire risk drives a cancellation, nonrenewal or rate increase (SB 82 (2023)).
Choosing your restoration contractor
Oregon law treats water removal, smoke and fire cleanup, contents inventory and board-up after a disaster as "restoration work," and only contractors licensed by the Construction Contractors Board with the right endorsement may do it. Repair and rebuild are not restoration work, and they need a contractor licensed for repairs (ORS 701.540). Before you sign:
- Ask for the CCB license number. Oregon requires it on bids and contracts (OAR 812-003-0120). Check it on the CCB website.
- Ask which endorsement they hold, and whether they can do the rebuild or only the mitigation.
- Ask how they document drying and whether you'll get copies of photos and readings.
- Read anything about who gets paid and how before you sign it.
Every licensed Oregon contractor must carry a surety bond (ORS 701.068) and liability insurance (ORS 701.073). 503 Restoration only lines up crews with an active CCB license.