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Before you file a claim, ask yourself if doing so is worth it and whether it qualifies.
Does It Qualify?
Your insurance policy has specific rules regarding what it will cover. For example, if your roof leaks due to lack of maintenance and mold is now growing in your bedroom, the damages won’t qualify for a claim. In these cases, when your policy won’t cover damages, you’ll need to pay out of pocket.
Is It Worth It?
Sometimes the cost to repair the damage is less than your deductible. In that case, it’ll make more sense to skip filing a claim and pay the repairs out of pocket instead. However, if the repair costs are far greater than your deductible, filing a claim may be worth it.
Once you decide that filing a claim is the right move, here are the general steps you should take. Keep in mind that the exact process may vary depending on the extent of damage and your insurance company.
- Contact the police: If the damage involves a crime (e.g., theft, vandalism), contact the police first. You’ll want to file a police report and get a copy of the report, along with the contact information of all involved officers. This information may be helpful during the claims process. If your damages don’t involve criminal activity, you don’t need to contact the police.
- Call your insurance company: Next, contact your insurance company. You can ask them any questions before you start the official claims process. Common questions include those related to your deductible, the claims timeline, and whether the peril is covered.
- Complete the claim forms: Next, you’ll complete any required claims forms. This officially starts the process. You may complete these forms online or in person, depending on the company. You may also be able to start your claim by phone.
- Work with the insurance adjuster: An insurance adjuster may visit your home to inspect any damage. In some cases, you may digitally share images and videos of damage. The adjuster’s job is to determine how much the insurer should pay for the claim.
Quick Tips for a Successful Claim
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Make a list of lost or damaged items and provide any receipts from the original purchase.
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Photograph or videotape the damages
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Make temporary repairs, but don’t throw away damaged items until your insurance adjuster views them. Keep receipts for any temporary repairs.
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Ask questions as you’re going through the process. If you don’t feel like your concerns are being heard, you can speak to an attorney or your state’s department of insurance for additional support.
The amount of time you have to file a claim after damages occur will vary based on many factors, including your location, policy, insurance company and the extent of damages. Check with your insurance company to determine how long you have.
The general recommendation, however, is to file the claim as soon as possible.
Your insurance company has 30 days to acknowledge receipt of a claim, but the overall timeline for a home insurance claim varies. Studies find that overall, it’s taking longer.
According to a 2025 J.D. Power Study, the average claim cycle – the time from filing the claim to finishing repairs – is the longest it’s been since 2008, when the study began (32 days). The same is true for the time from loss to final payment – 44 days.
You should ask your insurance company for the average timeline so you know what to expect, and be sure to stay in contact with your insurer throughout the process.
Once your insurance company agrees to pay the claim, it must do so within a certain period – in many cases, it’s five business days, but that can vary. Insurers typically pay a claim with two checks:
- Check 1: This is issued based on the estimated cost of repairs, minus depreciation and your deductible.
- Check 2: This is issued after your insurer receives the contractor’s final bill for the job. Typically, repairs must be completed within one year of the loss to be paid out in a final check.
If your insurance company issues a judgment on a claim and you disagree with the decision, you have options:
- Explain your reasoning to your insurance company: You can speak with your insurer about why you disagree with the decision. They may make adjustments to your claim based on information they overlooked or any mistakes made.
- Complete an appraisal process: In this process, there are three appraisers – yours, the insurance company’s, and an independent person. If the appraisals from the first two differ, the third appraiser makes the final decision. You must pay for your appraiser and half the cost of the third appraiser.
- Hire a public insurance adjuster: If you disagree with the appraisal, you can work with a public insurance adjuster. Their job is to work for you, as opposed to the insurance adjuster who works for your insurer.
- Ask for alternative dispute resolution: Before going to court, you can ask for an alternative way to handle the dispute, such as mediation.
- Sue the insurance company: Finally, if you’re not satisfied with the previous steps taken, you can sue your insurance company.
You’ll work closely with the adjuster when you file a claim. They work for the insurance company and will review damages, investigate the situation, and estimate your claims payment. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Be present during the inspection to ensure they don’t miss any of the damages
- Have their contact information and the best time to reach them
- Be responsive when they reach out to you with questions or request additional information
- If things aren’t working out with your adjuster, see if you can be assigned a new one
Your home insurance claims are listed on your C.L.U.E. report – Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange. This is a claims history database through LexisNexis allowing insurance companies to view consumer claims information for use during underwriting. Personal property claims remain on your C.L.U.E. report for up to seven years.
Your premium may increase if you file a claim on your homeowners insurance, but it depends. Alternatively, while your base premium may stay the same, you could lose a discount for being claims-free, increasing how much you pay.
Typically you can cancel or withdraw a home insurance claim. In general, the only time you can’t do this is if you’re found to be at-fault for the damages. For example, if someone gets injured on your property, you can’t simply withdraw the claim.
Reach out to your insurance company for more details on if and how you can cancel your claim.
