Water damage - Ensure correct damage repair?

Hello everyone.

We moved into our single-family house (built in 1991) on February 1st. Unfortunately, on February 16th, we discovered water damage, which we immediately reported to the building insurance. We were aware that the previous owners had already had water damage on the ground floor in 2017, which was settled.

After leak detection (guest bathroom, as with the previous owners), a company was on site to initiate the drying process. Company A determined that the drying could not be carried out "just like that" with drying equipment because drywall panels had been installed in the floor. According to Company A, the drying of the water damage by the previous owners was improperly done because they should have also noticed the issue with the drywall panels. In the opinion of Company A, the entire floor must be opened due to the drywall on the ground floor and newly filled with screed. This would mean that the house would be uninhabitable for 3 months. Company A has now reported this accordingly to the insurance. The insurance, in turn, has contacted me, stating that they want to get a second opinion – from Company B, which also repaired the damage from 2017 for the previous owners but, according to Company A, did not proceed correctly.

We are not familiar with such matters, so I am hoping for advice here.

We do not have a good feeling that the insurance wants to ask Company B for a second opinion, which according to Company A already "botched" the first damage. I understand that the insurance naturally does not want unnecessary costs. However, if an experienced Company A (which was initially recommended to me by the insurance as extremely competent and experienced) is already pointing out errors regarding the first damage repair, I get the feeling that Company B is now being asked for a second opinion to keep costs as low as possible – regardless of any consequential costs that might arise in 2, 3, or 5 years due to the "makeshift" drying.

Is my feeling mistaken? Do we have any means to ensure that the damage is properly and fully repaired?

I am very grateful for tips and opinions!

That is a question for a lawyer! Even without legal protection insurance, one can get an initial assessment on appropriate portals for a relatively low fee. Not every detail can be taken into account, since it may not be known to you (as it concerns the previous owner and their insurance), but at least an initial recommendation for action. If the insurance company is already being difficult, you can also seek advice from an insurance ombudsman office (arbitration board). As far as I know, this is free of charge!

It could also be that the previous owners preferred a less extensive damage settlement to avoid these circumstances (3 months out of the house, new floor, then moving the furniture back in, etc).