How to file a home insurance claim

Filing a home insurance claim isn’t intuitive, and how you handle the first 48 hours can significantly affect your payout. Here’s the process.

Step 1: Stop the damage

Your policy obligates you to mitigate further damage. That means:

• Turn off the water if there’s a leak
• Tarp the roof if there’s a hole
• Board up broken windows
• Move undamaged items to a safe location
• Keep receipts for any emergency repairs — these are reimbursable

If the damage requires immediate professional help (water extraction, roof tarp, board-up), call a 24-hour restoration company. Document everything.

Step 2: Document everything

Before cleaning up, photograph and video everything:

• All damaged property — wide shots and close-ups
• The source of damage if visible (broken pipe, hailstone, etc.)
• Surroundings for context
• Pre-loss inventory if you have it (photos from before the loss, receipts, manuals)

Make a written list of damaged items with descriptions, approximate dates of purchase, and estimated replacement costs.

Step 3: Call your insurer

Report the claim as soon as possible — most policies require “prompt” notice. Your insurer will:

• Assign a claim number
• Assign an adjuster
• Send instructions about emergency repairs
• Schedule an inspection

What to say: factual description of what happened, when, and what’s damaged. What to avoid: speculating about cause, accepting blame, or estimating dollar figures before you’ve done a thorough inventory.

Step 4: Meet with the adjuster

The adjuster inspects the damage and writes an estimate. They are working for the insurance company — be polite and cooperative, but understand their interests don’t perfectly align with yours.

Be present at the inspection. Walk through every damaged area. Point out everything. Provide your inventory list. Note anything the adjuster seems to be missing.

Get the adjuster’s estimate in writing.

Step 5: Review the estimate carefully

Insurer estimates often miss things — code upgrades, hidden damage, supplemental items revealed during demolition. Review line by line. If something is missing or undervalued, request a re-inspection.

If you disagree significantly, you have options:

• Public adjuster: works for you (not the insurer), takes a percentage of the claim. Worth it for large claims or complex disputes.
• Appraisal clause: most policies let you invoke an independent appraisal process when you and the insurer can’t agree on value.
• State insurance department complaint: for bad-faith claim handling.

Step 6: Get the work done

For replacement cost coverage, you’ll get a first payment at actual cash value, then the depreciation holdback once you actually do the repairs and submit receipts. Use licensed, insured contractors. Keep every receipt.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Cleaning up before documenting. Photos before disposal, always.
• Throwing damaged items away before the adjuster sees them.
• Accepting the first offer without review. Estimates are starting points.
• Using unlicensed contractors. The insurer can deny coverage for work done by unlicensed labor in many states.
• Missing the proof-of-loss deadline. Many policies require a sworn proof of loss within 60-90 days. Calendar this immediately.
• Discussing claim details on social media. Insurers monitor; statements can be used against you.