Here's what nobody tells you about filing a homeowners insurance claim: it's not complicated, but the order you do things in matters a lot. Take photos before you clean up. Call your insurer before you call the contractor. Save every receipt, even for the tarp you bought at Home Depot. These small steps can mean the difference between a smooth claims process and months of frustration.
Whether you're dealing with storm damage, a burst pipe, or a break-in, the claims process follows the same basic steps. Let's walk through exactly what to do, what to expect, and how to make sure you get every dollar you're entitled to under your policy.
Step 1: Document the Damage Immediately
Before you touch anything, pull out your phone. Take photos and videos of every damaged area from multiple angles. Got a water-damaged ceiling? Photograph the stain, the buckled drywall, and the puddle on the floor. If your basement flooded, capture wide shots of the room and close-ups of ruined belongings.
Make a detailed inventory of everything that's been damaged or destroyed. Write down item descriptions, purchase dates if you remember them, and estimated values. This sounds tedious when you're stressed, but it's crucial. Your insurance company will ask for this information, and the more thorough you are now, the faster your claim moves.
If the damage was caused by a crime—like a break-in or vandalism—file a police report immediately. Get the report number and the names of the officers you spoke with. Your insurer will need this documentation to process your claim.
Step 2: Make Emergency Repairs to Prevent Further Damage
Your homeowners policy requires you to prevent additional damage when possible. This means you should tarp a damaged roof, board up broken windows, or shut off the water if a pipe burst. These are temporary fixes to protect your home until permanent repairs can be made.
Save every receipt. Seriously, every single one. That tarp, the plywood, the emergency plumber who came at midnight—keep all those receipts. Most policies reimburse you for reasonable emergency repairs, but only if you can prove what you spent. Don't throw away damaged items yet, either. Your claims adjuster will want to see them.
Step 3: File Your Claim Quickly
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Most insurers offer several ways to file: call their 24/7 claims hotline (usually the fastest option), file online through their website, use their mobile app, or contact your agent directly. Have your policy number handy, along with basic information about when and how the damage occurred.
Here's a tip that can save you serious time: if your insurer has a mobile app, use it. According to 2024 data, customers who use digital tools to report claims and submit photos experience average repair cycle times of just 15 days—that's half the overall average of 32 days. Upload those photos you took in Step 1 through the app right away.
Your insurance company must acknowledge your claim within 15 days. During that time, they'll assign a claims adjuster and request any additional information they need to evaluate your loss.
Step 4: Work with the Claims Adjuster
A claims adjuster will reach out within a few days to schedule an inspection. Their job is to assess the damage and determine how much your insurance company should pay. Be ready to walk them through the affected areas and show them your documentation.
This is your chance to advocate for yourself. Point out every bit of damage, even things that might seem minor. Once the adjuster leaves, it's much harder to add items to your claim. If you've already gotten repair estimates from contractors, share those too. The adjuster will do their own calculations, but your estimates provide helpful context.
Most homeowners policies require you to submit a sworn proof of loss—a formal document detailing when the loss occurred, what caused it, and the total damage. Your adjuster will help you with this, but make sure the information is accurate and complete before you sign.
Step 5: Understanding Your Settlement Offer
After the adjuster completes their evaluation, your insurance company has 15 days to approve or deny your claim in writing. If approved, they must send payment within five days. But here's where it gets tricky: if you have replacement cost coverage, you probably won't get the full amount right away.
Most insurers pay claims in two stages. First, they send you the actual cash value of your damaged property—that's the replacement cost minus depreciation. The depreciation amount is held back until you actually complete the repairs and provide receipts proving you replaced the damaged items. This is called recoverable depreciation or the depreciation holdback.
Let's say your roof is damaged and it costs $15,000 to replace, but depreciation is $5,000. Your insurer sends you $10,000 now. Once you complete the repairs and send them the contractor's invoice, they'll release the remaining $5,000. You typically have two years from the date of loss to claim this holdback, but don't wait—submit your documentation as soon as repairs are done.
What If Your Settlement Seems Too Low?
You don't have to accept the first offer. If the settlement seems low or doesn't cover all your losses, you have options. Start by asking your adjuster to explain how they calculated the payout. Sometimes there are legitimate reasons for the gap, but sometimes important damage was missed or undervalued.
Get your own repair estimates from licensed contractors. If their quotes are significantly higher than your settlement, provide them to your insurance company with a written request to reconsider. Be specific about what you think was missed or undervalued.
For large or complex claims, consider hiring a public adjuster. These are licensed professionals who work for you, not the insurance company. They document damage, negotiate with your insurer, and make sure you recover every dollar you're entitled to under your policy. Public adjusters typically charge a percentage of your settlement (usually 10-15%), but they often increase payouts enough to more than cover their fee.
Don't Forget Additional Living Expenses
If your home is too damaged to live in while repairs are made, your policy likely includes coverage for additional living expenses. This covers the cost of temporary housing, meals, and other necessary expenses above what you'd normally spend. Keep detailed records and receipts for everything—hotel bills, restaurant meals, laundry costs, even pet boarding fees. These expenses add up fast, and you want to be reimbursed for all of them.
Timeline: How Long Does This Take?
The honest answer is: it depends. Simple claims—like a stolen laptop or a broken window—can be settled in a few days to a week. More complex claims involving structural damage take longer. According to 2024 industry data, the average claim takes 32 days from filing to finished repairs, with the time from initial loss to final payment averaging 44 days.
Claims related to catastrophic events like hurricanes or wildfires take even longer—often 18 to 24 months for major rebuilding projects. That's because contractors are overwhelmed, materials are scarce, and thousands of other homeowners are filing claims at the same time.
How to Speed Up Your Claim
You can't control everything, but these steps help move things along: File immediately—delays only make the process longer. Use digital tools like your insurer's mobile app to submit documentation. Respond quickly when your adjuster asks for information. Keep organized records of every conversation, email, and document related to your claim. And don't wait until repairs are done to follow up about your depreciation holdback—start that paperwork as soon as you have contractor invoices.
Filing a homeowners insurance claim doesn't have to be overwhelming. Document thoroughly, file quickly, keep detailed records, and don't be afraid to advocate for yourself. Your policy exists to protect you when things go wrong—make sure you get the full benefit you've been paying for.
