RIA Position Paper Summary Guide
RIA Position Paper Summary Guide
The RIA Position Statements empower contractors to uphold fair standards for pricing, scope, and communication in insurance restoration. Below is a summary of each position paper, including guidance on when to use them.
Position Papers are free for RIA members, but you must be logged in. If you are not an RIA Member, you can find more about How to Join and if you are an employee at a member company, here is information on how your account manager can add employee accounts for free.
Document Name |
Summary |
How/When to Use |
Link to Document |
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RIA Claims Handling Statement 1 - Duty to Communicate |
Requires carriers to respond to all materially involved parties, including out-of-network contractors. |
If carriers ignore or delay communication with contractors. |
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RIA Claims Handling Statement 2 - Timeliness of Responses |
Mandates prompt insurer responses to contractor inquiries to avoid delays. |
If claim resolution is delayed due to unresponsive carriers. |
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RIA Statement - Adjusters Dictating Restoration Prices |
States adjusters can't dictate or modify invoices outside program agreements. |
When adjusters attempt to alter scope or pricing for non-program work. |
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RIA Statement - Denial of Charges for the “Cost of Doing Business” |
Insurance carriers must not deny payment for restoration charges based on the claim that such charges are the “cost of doing business.” |
When carrier/adjuster/consultant refuses paying for a charge on the basis of "Cost of doing business" |
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RIA Statement - Deviation from Standardized Pricing |
Argues that software prices are only guidelines and can be deviated from. |
To support custom pricing beyond standard software outputs. |
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RIA Statement - New Construction Price List |
Challenges the use of 'new construction' price settings for restoration work. |
To dispute pricing adjustments based on 'new construction' settings. |
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RIA TPA Statement 1 - Scope Change Requests |
Outlines procedures when TPAs request scope changes not supported by contract. |
When a TPA requests scope revisions outside contract terms. |
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RIA TPA Statement 2 - Deference for Contractor Agreements |
Says TPAs should not override agreements made between contractors and carriers. |
When a TPA interferes with pre-established terms with the carrier. |
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RIA TPA Statement 3 - Referral Fees for Jobs Not Referred |
Asserts that TPAs should not charge fees for jobs they didn’t refer. |
When TPAs invoice for unrelated jobs. |
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RIA TPA Statement 4 - TPA Client Disclosure |
Calls for TPAs to disclose if they prioritize insurance carriers over contractors. |
When TPA actions seem biased toward insurers. |
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TPA Position Statement #5 - Deviations from Guidelines |
TPAs shouldn’t enforce guidelines that conflict with contracts or industry standards. |
When TPA demands contradict your contract, best practices, or proper restoration procedures. |
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TPC Position Statement #1 - The Role of the Consultant |
Restorers often face interference from third-party consultants who attempt to dictate procedures, pricing, scope, or billing, sometimes without proper authority or qualification. |
When a third-party consultant is trying to control your scope, pricing, or billing. |
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TPC Position Statement #2 - Project Control |
Addresses when third parties—like adjusters or TPAs—demand receipts or cost breakdowns from restorers. |
When you understand your requirements, statutory and ethical manner when requested to provide support |
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TPC Position Statement #3 - Pricing Methodology |
Insurers can’t dictate a contractor’s pricing method unless contractually agreed; restorers choose the method. |
When a third party tries to force time-and-materials or unit pricing against your chosen method. |
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TPC Statement 4 - Labor Rates |
States that insurers and TPAs cannot dictate labor rates not agreed upon in contracts. |
When disputes arise over custom labor rates. |
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TPC Statement 6 - Evidence of Costs to Perform Work |
Clarifies that contractors are not required to provide receipts or cost details unless contractually obligated. |
When adjusters or TPAs request receipts or proprietary cost data. |
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TPC Statement 7 - Evidence of Ownership of Equipment |
Explains that ownership of equipment used in jobs does not affect the fair market value of services. |
If asked to prove equipment ownership for invoicing justification. |
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RIA Position Papers