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Homeowners insurance claim

A request to your homeowners insurer to pay for damage or loss the policy covers, backed by photos, a list of what was lost and your receipts.

What It Means

A homeowners insurance claim is how you ask your insurer to pay for a loss your policy covers, such as storm damage, a fire or a theft. You report the loss, show what happened with photos and a list, and an adjuster from the insurer inspects the damage. The insurer then pays according to the policy, after your deductibleInsurance deductibleThe part of a covered loss you pay yourself before your home, renters or auto insurance pays the rest, set as a dollar amount or a percentage. See more.

Try It: Walk Through a Claim Step by Step

Step through a claim in the order the NAIC and Triple-I describe.

Step 1 of 6

Make sure everyone is safe. In an emergency, get out and call 911.

How It Sounds at Home

  • "We filed a claim for the roof."
  • "The adjuster's coming Thursday."
  • "Keep that receipt for the tarp, insurance pays it back."

The Breakdown

How to file

  1. Get everyone safe first. In an emergency, get out and call 911, and wait until it's safe to go back in.
  2. Contact your insurer or agent as soon as possible. The NAIC notes most insurers set a time limit for reporting a claim.
  3. Document the loss before you clear anything: photos or video of the damage, and a list of what was damaged or lost. Triple-I adds that you should only go into damaged areas when it's safe.
  4. Stop further damage with reasonable temporary repairs, such as a tarp over a hole in the roof or boards over broken windows. Save the receipts for supplies, since insurers typically repay reasonable costs as part of the claim.
  5. Meet the adjuster. The insurer sends one to inspect the damage, and Triple-I says there's no charge to you. Show them your photos, your list and any temporary repairs.
  6. Review the offer and the paperwork carefully before you sign.

Try it today. Find your policy, note the claims phone number and your policy number, and keep both in your phone and with your home inventoryHome inventoryA room-by-room record of what you own, with photos, values and receipts, kept to prove a loss to your insurer after a fire, theft or storm. See more.

Good to Know

After a storm, read anything a contractor asks you to sign. The NAIC warns that some paperwork can sign away your insurance benefitsBenefits packageEverything an employer offers on top of wages, such as health insurance, paid leave and a retirement plan, which can be worth thousands of dollars a year. See more. If you have questions about the claim laws in your state, the NAIC and Triple-I point you to your insurance professional or your state's department of insurance. A home inventory made before a loss gives you receipts and photos to back up your list.

FAQ

How soon should I file a homeowners insurance claim?

As soon as you can. The NAIC says most insurance companies have a time limit for reporting a claim, and the policy states it.

Can I make repairs before the adjuster comes?

Temporary repairs that stop more damage, yes, such as covering a roof hole, after you've documented everything. Keep the receipts, since insurers typically repay reasonable costs for them.

What if my claim is denied or I disagree with the offer?

Ask the insurer to explain the decision in terms of your policy. For questions about claim rules in your state, the NAIC and Triple-I point to your state's department of insurance.

Do It in Buhata

Vault (Plus), Tasks

With Plus, keep your policy, photos, damage list and repair receipts in Vault, and track each claim step as a Task with a due date.

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Related Terms and Categories

  • Home inventory

    A room-by-room record of what you own, with photos, values and receipts, kept to prove a loss to your insurer after a fire, theft or storm.

  • Insurance deductible

    The part of a covered loss you pay yourself before your home, renters or auto insurance pays the rest, set as a dollar amount or a percentage.

  • Renters insurance

    A policy for tenants that pays to repair or replace their belongings, covers liability for harm they cause others, and pays extra living costs after a covered loss.

  • Licensed contractor

    A contractor who holds the license your state or local government requires for the kind of work being done, which you can check before you hire.

  • Hurricane prep

    Getting a home and household ready for a hurricane: knowing your evacuation zone, stocking supplies, protecting windows and acting on watches and warnings.

Home maintenance and repairs

Sources

NAIC, "What You Need to Know When Filing a Homeowners Claim"; Triple-I (Insurance Information Institute), "How to file a homeowners claim"; NAIC, "After the Storm, Read the Fine Print to Avoid Signing Away Your Insurance Benefits"; NAIC, "Post-Disaster Claims Guide"

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