- When an incident happens, make sure your home is safe, prevent more damage if you can, and report the loss to your insurer quickly by filing a claim.
- Take photos and video, list damaged items, and save receipts to help support your home insurance claim.
- Review your policy so you understand your deductible, coverage limits and possible additional living expense coverage.
- Work with your adjuster, then move forward with repairs and keep records of costs and updates.
Key Takeaways
Quick tip: If it’s safe to do so, take photos and video before cleanup starts, keep receipts for temporary repairs and contact your insurer as soon as you can to begin the home insurance claim process.
| Step in the process | What you may need | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Report the loss | Date of incident, basic description of what happened, policy information | Helps your insurer open the home insurance claim |
| Document damage | Photos, videos and a list of damaged items | Supports your claim and helps show the extent of the loss |
| Temporary repairs | Receipts for tarps, boards, cleanup supplies or emergency services | Shows what you did to help prevent further damage |
| Adjuster review | Access to damaged areas, item details and repair estimates if available | Helps ensure a thorough evaluation by your adjuster |
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 home insurance claim 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.
Documenting the damage is essential. Being as detailed as you can is an important part of the process when organizing photos, receipts and damaged belongings.
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.
Not sure what your policy may include? You’re not alone. A little research now about what’s included and what loss of use coverage is can help you move forward with confidence later.
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 review the scope of damages 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.
Preparing for repairs? Get help and general guidance for choosing a contractor and organizing project details.
Navigating the claims process
Starting the homeowners insurance claims process can be complex, but understanding each step and what you need to know can make it more manageable. Prioritize your safety, document damage thoroughly, and keep in touch with your adjuster to get your home repaired efficiently.
Not sure how to make a claim on home insurance? The key steps are usually the same: Make sure the property is safe, prevent further damage, report the loss promptly, document everything you can, and keep records of your expenses and communication.
Start an Amica claim today. When you’re ready, you can submit a claim online, over the phone at 833-513-3881, or through a local insurance agent.
Get a home insurance quote today
FAQs about filing a home insurance claim
The home insurance claim process usually includes reporting the loss, documenting damage, reviewing your coverage, meeting with an adjuster if needed and completing approved repairs.
You can report a home insurance claim by phone or online, but first make sure the property is safe and prevent further damage if you can. Next, contact your insurer, document the loss and work with the adjuster during the review process.
After storm damage, focus on safety first, take photos and video if it’s safe, make temporary repairs to help prevent more damage and contact your insurer as soon as possible to report the loss.
It helps to have the date of the incident, a summary of what happened, photos of visible damage and receipts for any emergency repairs or temporary living expenses if they apply.
Unless damaged items create a safety hazard, it’s usually best to wait until the adjuster has had a chance to inspect the property or your insurer has told you how to proceed.
Your Policy, Policy Declarations or Amended Declarations in effect on the date of loss is the primary source of reference for your coverage, coverage limits and deductible amounts.
This inclusion of non-Amica companies, products, services or statement herein (“Third-Party Content”) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by Amica Insurance. Policies, views, opinions or positions of Third-Party Content expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policies, views, opinions or positions of Amica Insurance. Amica Insurance makes no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy and reliability of Third-Party Content.
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