Maybe it's a loud crash overhead. Maybe it's shattering glass. Maybe it's a steady drip of water from your kitchen ceiling. Any of these sounds could mean you quickly need to learn how to file a home insurance claim.
You can't just kick back and wait for your insurance company to pay up. You’ll need to decide whether it makes sense to file a claim first. If the answer is yes, you’ll have to report the issue promptly, keep track of all expenses and communicate with the insurer to make sure you get paid in full. Here are some tips to make the process easier.
Key terms in this article
Adjuster | A person who evaluates insurance claims. Your insurance company will assign an adjuster to decide how much it will pay in response to your claim. |
Claim | A request for reimbursement under the terms of your insurance policy. |
Deductible | The amount your insurance company will subtract from your claim payout. |
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Before you pick up the phone to report damage to your insurance company, make sure it’s worth doing. Filing a claim could cause your insurance rates to go up, even if your claim is denied. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Will your insurance pay for the damage? Homeowners insurance covers sudden, accidental events. If the damage can be chalked up to gradual wear and tear, your insurer will probably deny your claim. Also, most standard policies exclude damage caused by certain events, like flooding and earthquakes. Check your policy for what is and isn’t covered and what your coverage limits are.
- Does it add up to significantly more than your deductible? Your deductible is the amount you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. If your deductible is $2,000, and covered repairs cost $2,500, you’ll get only $500 from your insurer. Given the risk of a premium increase, filing a claim might not be worth it.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Filing a homeowners insurance claim often results in higher rates, but it depends on where you live and what caused the damage. For example, in Texas, homeowners insurance companies aren’t allowed to charge you more if your claim stems from a natural cause, such as weather. Check with your state’s department of insurance for specifics about where you live.If you run the numbers and decide filing a claim is the right choice, these seven steps can help you navigate the process.
1. File your home insurance claim immediately
Depending on your insurer, you may be able to submit home insurance claims online, through an app, via your agent or by calling the company. No matter which method you choose, reporting a claim right away can put money in your pocket faster.
Once your insurer receives your claim, it will assign a claim number and send an adjuster to assess the damage.
If your claim occurred because of storm or wildfire damage, it's likely other homes in the area were also affected. That means there will be more claims and greater demand on your insurer. Submitting a claim immediately can help get you close to the front of the line.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Wind and hail are the most common causes of homeowners insurance claims, according to data from the Insurance Information Institute. The III calculates that wind or hail claims are filed each year for one in 36 insured homes.2. Document the damage
Taking photos of damaged items helps you create a record of everything that needs to be repaired or replaced. The more information the insurer has, the better — so try to get pictures of labels and model numbers, especially for more expensive items.
If your home was damaged due to a crime like theft or vandalism, file a police report immediately. Make note of your police report number and the names of any officers you spoke with.
3. Make temporary repairs
If you have a hole in your roof, you don't have to live with it until the adjuster arrives. Once you've documented the damage for your insurer, you can make temporary repairs if it's safe to.
Whether it's stopping a leak or boarding up a broken window, stopgap repairs can prevent further issues and save time and money. If you don't take steps to fix an immediate problem and the insurer thinks you could have, you might not be fully covered. Say you don't board up a broken window and someone climbs through and steals a TV. Your insurance company might not pay for it.
As long as you keep receipts and can document why the repairs were needed, you can submit the expenses to your insurer as part of the claim.
4. Communicate with your adjuster
Your insurance company will appoint an adjuster to handle the claim and be your primary point of contact. You'll want to detail the damage for them, answer any questions they have, document your expenses and update them on the status of repairs.
You’ll need to be your own biggest advocate. Remember, the adjuster represents the insurance company's interests, not yours. Be polite but assertive.
For more complex claims, consider hiring a public insurance adjuster. They'll manage the claim for you and advocate on your behalf with the insurer. In exchange for their expertise, you'll typically pay a public adjuster a percentage of the final claim amount. This usually ranges from 5% to 20%, depending on where you live and the size of the claim.
5. Save your receipts
You could spend a lot of money on temporary repairs before receiving a payment from your insurance company. If you receive a check from the insurer upfront, you'll still need to save all receipts — estimates won't cut it. The initial payment typically doesn't cover the full cost of repairs. If you want to get paid back in full, you'll need to prove what you actually spent.
6. Consider your contractor
If your home is damaged, you don’t have to use the insurance company’s recommended contractor to do the repairs. Even though insurers tend to bring in companies they frequently partner with, you can always get cost estimates from other contractors on your own.
Before you hire someone, we recommend reading reviews from previous customers and checking their Better Business Bureau listing. You may also want to look up the contractor on your state licensing agency’s website. Depending on the state, licensed contractors may be required to have insurance, undergo certain types of training and comply with local building codes. (Note that not all states require contractors to be licensed.)
7. Get help with living expenses
If your home is so badly damaged that you can’t live in it, your insurance company may be able to help. Loss of use coverage is part of a standard homeowners policy and will pay for things like hotel stays and restaurant meals if you can’t live at home. Again, you’ll want to keep all receipts to make sure you’re fully reimbursed for this part of your homeowners insurance claim.
What happens next?
The first check you receive isn’t necessarily your full settlement amount. It’s often issued as an advance against your final payout so you can get started with repairs.
You might also receive separate checks for different types of coverage. For example, payments issued from your loss of use coverage to pay for a hotel room will come separately from your main repair checks.
Actual cash value vs. replacement cost
If your belongings are damaged by a covered event, the money to repair or replace them comes from your personal property coverage. How much you get depends on which type of coverage you have.
- Actual cash value (ACV): You’ll get a check for the depreciated value of your items based on age and wear. For example, if you bought a $2,000 couch five years ago, you might get a check for only $500.
- Replacement cost coverage (RCV): You’ll be reimbursed for the amount it costs to buy a brand-new equivalent item today. If that same couch now costs $2,500, you’ll get $2,500.
If you have replacement cost coverage, you won’t necessarily get your payout in one check. Insurers usually pay the depreciated value first ($500 in the couch example). You’ll have to actually buy the replacement item and submit a receipt to be reimbursed for the rest.
What can you do if your home insurance claim is denied?
You have a few options if your home insurance claim is denied. First, you can try appealing your case directly with the home insurance company. If that doesn’t work, you can file a complaint with your state’s department of insurance. You can also try hiring a public adjuster, lawyer or mediator to assist.
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- 1.Insurance Information Institute. Facts + Statistics: Homeowners and renters insurance. Accessed Jul 10, 2026.
