How Does a Homeowners Insurance Claim Work?

How quickly you file, how well you document damage and how you communicate with your insurer all affect your claim's speed and outcome.

Follow these steps when filing a home insurance claim:

• Step 1: Make sure everyone is safe and take clear photos or videos of the damage.
• Step 2: Contact your insurance company to file your claim.
• Step 3: Coordinate with your home insurance claims adjuster.
• Step 4: Keep receipts and track all related expenses.
• Step 5: Review the settlement offer once you receive it.
• Step 6: If needed, dispute or negotiate the offer before agreeing.

Check if it’s safe to enter your home first. Stay out if you notice structural damage, exposed wires, gas leaks or flooding. Wait for emergency crews or a professional to confirm it’s safe.

Once you’re cleared to go inside, start documenting the damage:

• Take clear photos and videos of all affected areas.
• Include wide shots for context and close-ups from different angles to show the details.
• Photograph both damaged and undamaged areas for comparison.

Make a list of damaged items with their brand, model, estimated value and serial numbers.

Before contacting your insurer, collect all the documents and details that will support your claim. After taking photos of the damage and organizing your files, reach out to your insurance company to report it.

The best homeowners insurance providers offer several contact methods:

Before reaching out to your home insurance company, prepare the following:

• Your policy number
• The date and time the damage happened
• A short description of the incident
• Photos or videos showing the damage
• A list of damaged or lost items
• Receipts or proof of purchase for affected items
• Records of any temporary repairs and related costs
• A police report or case number, if applicable

A claims adjuster evaluates the damage and confirms your claim details. They'll reach out within a few days to schedule an inspection. Walk them through the affected areas and answer their questions about what happened.

Keep receipts for everything from day one. Materials for a temporary fix or a contractor's service call may be reimbursed, but only if you have documentation.

If the damage forces you to temporarily move out, your policy's loss of use coverage, also called additional living expenses (ALE), helps pay for extra costs you wouldn't normally have: hotel stays, short-term rentals, takeout meals, laundry services and increased commuting expenses.

Here's how to document everything:

• Save all receipts related to damage, repairs or additional living expenses.
• Log each purchase or cost in a notebook, spreadsheet or expense tracking app.
• Include brief notes on what each expense was for and why it was necessary.
• Track only expenses beyond your normal living costs if you've temporarily relocated.
• Snap photos of paper receipts as digital backups if they fade or get lost.
• Check with your insurer if you're unsure whether a specific expense is covered.

After your insurance company reviews your claim and the adjuster's report, you'll get a settlement offer (the insurer's proposed payout to cover your loss). You'll receive it by mail, email or through your online account. Some companies send a written letter, while others include a check or direct deposit notification.

Review the offer carefully. Make sure it reflects your coverage, the damage and the cost to repair or replace what was lost. If anything seems unclear or incorrect, ask questions or request a review.

Your first settlement offer isn't final. If it seems too low or doesn't cover your loss, push back. Compare the offer against your repair quotes and documentation. If numbers don't match or items are missing, negotiate.

Your homeowners insurance claim timeline depends on how serious the damage is, how quickly you file and how fast your insurer responds. Minor claims are usually resolved faster, while major damage or ongoing negotiations can take more time. 

Here’s a general idea of what to expect:

Your claim payout may not go directly to you. Where the money goes depends on your policy, mortgage status and the type of repair.

Before starting any work, talk to your insurer and mortgage company to confirm how and when the funds will be released. Stay in touch with both to avoid delays and confusion during repairs.

Learn how your home insurance payout works to stay on top of the process and avoid delays. Your policy and mortgage setup both affect how much you get and how it’s paid.

File a claim only when the damage is major, clearly covered by your policy, and the repair costs are much higher than your deductible. Insurance helps reduce the financial strain and speeds up home repairs.

Skip filing for minor issues, especially if the costs are close to or below your deductible. Small claims might raise your premiums or even lead to non-renewal with little financial gain.

Here’s a quick home insurance claim tip. Before filing, ask yourself:

• Does my policy cover this type of damage?
• Will repair costs go well beyond my deductible?
• Could filing affect my future premiums?
• Can I afford to cover the repair myself?

If the answers suggest little benefit or higher risk, pay for the repairs yourself and reserve your policy for bigger losses.

Filing a homeowners insurance claim helps cover major damage, but it’s not always the best choice. Submitting too many small or low-value claims often leads to higher premiums or even puts your coverage at risk.

Filing a homeowners insurance claim means documenting damage, staying in touch with your insurer and following through at every step. 

Act quickly and keep detailed records to help your claim succeed. You'll work with an adjuster, review their inspection and receive a settlement offer. If the payout falls short, dispute it and negotiate.

Filing a homeowners insurance claim raises questions about timing, costs and consequences. Here are answers to common questions about the claims process.

Why Trust MoneyGeek?

MoneyGeek analyzed homeowners insurance rates using data from state insurance filings and Quadrant Information Services. We focused on identifying insurers that offer strong value through competitive rates, solid coverage and overall reliability.

How We Evaluated Insurance Providers

We reviewed standard and high-value homeowners insurance policies and compared premiums and coverage features across all 50 states. All pricing data came from Quadrant Information Services.

Sample Homeowner Profile

To standardize comparisons, we used a sample homeowner with these characteristics:

• Good credit score (769 to 792)
• Home built in 2000
• Wood-frame construction with a composite shingle roof

Coverage Levels Used

Unless noted otherwise, quotes reflect the following coverage:

• $250,000 dwelling
• $125,000 personal property
• $200,000 liability
• $1,000 deductible

We also evaluated premium rates for higher-value policies, using:

• $1 million dwelling
• $500,000 personal property
• $1 million liability

This approach let us identify top insurers for both standard homeowners and those seeking more comprehensive protection.