The customer always has the right to choose their service provider. Somehow, you have to be able to reach them. If you are first on the job, you will at least get the emergency part of the claim. Once the insurance adjuster gets involved, he may persuade the client to switch to their preferred vendor. They don't have to follow the vendors advice but many do. One avenue is to pursue plumbing companies for referrals. They are often first on the job. Here, several plumbing companies have gotten into the restoration business as they see how profitable it is. To get on the preferred vendor list of an insurance company, you often have to jump through hoops and go by their rules.