How to File a Home Insurance Claim: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. First, ensure the home is safe 

Your first priority is ensuring the safety of your family and pets. If your home is damaged, evacuate everyone from the building and, if necessary, contact emergency services like the fire department or police. Avoid re-entering the home until authorities have declared it safe to do so. 

2. Prevent further damage

If the damage is relatively minor and you can safely enter the home, focus on preventing further property damage. For example, board up any broken windows and remove broken glass.

For more significant issues, contact your insurance company before taking any action. Your insurance company may help you coordinate emergency services, like extracting water or providing roof tarps. 

Keep receipts for any supplies you purchase for emergency or temporary repairs. Your insurer may reimburse you for those expenses.

3. Contact your insurer

As soon as you can, contact your insurance company to start the claims process. You can submit a claim online, over the phone, or through a local insurance agent. 

When you reach out to your insurer, be prepared to provide details about the date the incident occurred, what visible damage you know about, and any emergency repairs you've taken (if applicable). 

4. Document the damage

Documentation is a key part of the claims process, and being thorough is one of the best things you can do to help speed up the claims process. If it's safe to do so, get photos and video of your property and any damage that occurred. Be sure to include any structural or building damage, as well as damage to personal belongings. For example, if a tree fell through the window, take photos of the broken window and of damaged furniture or floors. 

Create a list of damaged items, including a brief description of the item, its approximate value and, if possible, the dates they were purchased (if you have the original receipts and a home inventory, that’s even better).

Unless they pose a safety hazard, avoid discarding any damaged property or items until after the insurance adjuster can inspect the property. That allows the adjuster to get a comprehensive view of the damage.  

5. Understand your coverage

Review your policy so you know what your deductible is, the coverage limits of your policy and any exclusions that may apply. 

For example, if your home is uninhabitable due to a covered loss, your policy may include "loss of use" or coverage for additional living expenses to cover temporary accommodations or meals while your home is being repaired. If you need to use this coverage, keep any receipts from hotels or extended stay facilities to submit to your insurer. 

It's wise to keep a digital copy of your policy so you can access it from anywhere if you're unable to get into your home.

6. Work with the insurance adjuster

Depending on the claim, the insurance company may send a claims adjuster to inspect the damage. The adjuster will visit the property in person to evaluate the extent of the damage and estimate the cost to repair or replace covered property. 

(Important: Sometimes, more damage is discovered once repairs are underway. If that occurs, inform your adjuster right away so they can adjust the claim and discuss next steps.) 

7. Schedule Repairs

Before starting repairs, make sure the adjuster has completed their inspection and provided guidance on how to proceed. Once you're cleared to move forward, you can hire the necessary workers. 

Hire reputable and licensed contractors for repairs. Document all repair-related expenses with invoices and receipts. 

In some cases, your contractor's estimate may exceed your adjuster's estimate. If that occurs, contact your adjuster right away. Your adjuster and contractor can review the scope of damage and reach an agreed upon price for the repairs.