When filing a homeowners insurance claim, preparation helps streamline the process and maximize your payout. Here are eight tips to file a successful home insurance claim:
Home Insurance
8 Tips for Filing a Homeowners Insurance Claim
Updated: June 1, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Before filing a home insurance claim, review your policy, document all damages, gather records of valuable items, and make temporary repairs to mitigate further damage.
Contact your insurance company immediately after damage occurs and ask for specific steps and required documents.
Record all communications with your insurer and follow up regularly on your claim's status.
1. Review Your Home Insurance Policy to Understand Coverage and Exclusions
Review your policy before filing a claim to understand what's covered and what isn't. This prevents surprises during the claims process. Focus on these key home insurance coverages:
Dwelling Coverage
Check your dwelling coverage limits to ensure your home is insured for full replacement cost. This helps avoid out-of-pocket expenses if rebuilding is necessary.
Personal Property Coverage
Understand the limits and exclusions on personal property coverage to know how much reimbursement you'll receive for damaged or stolen items.
Liability Protection
Check your personal liability coverage limits to see how much protection you have if someone gets injured on your property.
Additional Living Expenses (ALE)
Review your ALE coverage to determine how much support you'll get if you need temporary housing while your home is being repaired.
Exclusions
Pay attention to the exclusions section to identify events or items not covered by your policy. This helps you plan for additional protection if needed.
2. Document All Damages With Photos and Videos
Take clear, detailed photos and videos of all affected areas. This visual evidence supports your claim and helps ensure appropriate compensation. Document these areas:
- Wide-angle shots: Capture entire rooms to provide context for damage.
- Close-up photos: Show specific damage details and severity.
- Before-and-after comparisons: Include pre-damage photos if available.
- Video walkthrough: Record a complete walkthrough of damaged areas.
- Individual items: Document damaged belongings with serial numbers and identifying details.
Be thorough in capturing every angle to provide a comprehensive overview for your insurer.
3. Gather Receipts and Records of Valuable Items
These documents prove ownership and value, which speeds up the claims process. Store records in a safe place like a digital cloud service where they're easily accessible. Here's how to organize your documentation:
- 1
List All Items
Create a comprehensive list of valuable items including electronics, jewelry, appliances and furniture using a spreadsheet or home inventory app.
- 2
Record Purchase Details
Note the purchase date, price and place of purchase for each item to establish value.
- 3
Take Photos and Videos
Document each item with photos and videos, capturing serial numbers and identifying details.
- 4
Store Receipts
Keep digital copies of all receipts and appraisals in cloud-based storage to protect them from physical damage.
- 5
Update Regularly
Add new purchases and remove items you no longer have to keep records current.
MAKE MAINTAINING A HOME INVENTORY A HABIT
Creating and maintaining a home inventory works best as an ongoing process rather than waiting until after damage occurs. Consistently updating your records avoids the stress of trying to recall everything after a loss.
4. Mitigate Further Damage With Temporary Repairs
Take immediate steps to prevent additional damage through temporary repairs. Cover broken windows, tarp damaged roofs or shut off water to burst pipes to prevent more destruction.
While these aren't permanent solutions, they protect your property and support your claim by showing you took responsible steps to minimize loss.
5. Keep Detailed Records of All Communications With Your Insurer
Document every phone call, email and letter to ensure you have an accurate account of what was discussed and agreed upon. Keep things clear by:
- Confirming information: Repeat statements during conversations to ensure mutual understanding.
- Summarizing key points: Review what was discussed and agreed upon at the end of each communication.
- Requesting written confirmation: Ask for critical information via email or letter for your records.
- Organizing chronologically: Keep all documents and notes in chronological order to track your claim's progression.
- Using a communication log: Maintain a log of interactions including dates, times, representatives' names and key discussion points.
This approach prevents discrepancies and provides a solid foundation if disputes arise.
6. Follow Up Regularly on Your Claim Status
Stay proactive by checking in with your insurer to show you're engaged and serious about resolving the claim quickly. Regular follow-ups help identify missing information or documents needed to move the process forward, leading to faster resolution.
7. Get Repair Estimates From Licensed Contractors
Obtain repair estimates from licensed contractors to provide clear repair costs and support your claim with accurate financial data. Working with licensed contractors ensures qualified professionals assess the damage with reliable quotes.
Use this information to negotiate a fair settlement with your insurer.
- 1
Research Contractors
Find licensed contractors by checking online reviews, requesting recommendations and verifying credentials with local licensing boards.
- 2
Request Multiple Estimates
Contact at least three contractors for written estimates to compare costs and services.
- 3
Schedule Inspections
Have contractors visit your property to assess damage in person for more precise estimates.
- 4
Review Detailed Quotes
Ensure each estimate includes a breakdown of labor, materials and additional costs for transparency.
- 5
Select the Best Option
Choose the estimate offering the best balance of cost, quality and reliability to share with your insurance adjuster.
8. Negotiate the Settlement Offer as Necessary
You're not obligated to accept the first settlement offer from your insurance company. Review the offer thoroughly to ensure it adequately covers repair costs and losses. If the initial offer seems insufficient, negotiate for a fairer amount. Consider negotiating in these situations:
Offer Doesn't Cover Repair Costs
If the offer doesn't fully reimburse your damaged or lost items' value, seek a better settlement.
Insufficient Coverage for Personal Property
If the offer doesn't fully reimburse your damaged or lost items' value, seek a better settlement.
Discrepancies in Damage Assessment
If you believe the adjuster underestimated damage extent, provide additional evidence and request reassessment.
Lack of Coverage for Additional Living Expenses
If the offer doesn't cover living expenses during repairs, negotiate for more coverage.
Unexpected Exclusions or Deductions
If the settlement includes unwarranted exclusions or deductions, address these concerns with your insurer.
WHAT TO DO AFTER FILING A HOME INSURANCE CLAIM
After filing a homeowners insurance claim, regularly follow up on your claim status and get repair estimates from licensed contractors to ensure fair compensation.
Homeowners Insurance Claims Tips: Bottom Line
Filing a homeowners insurance claim can be complex and stressful, but knowing the right steps helps you navigate the process effectively. Review your policy, document damage thoroughly and maintain detailed communication records to streamline your claim and receive fair compensation from your insurer.
Filing a Home Insurance Claim: FAQ
We've answered common questions that cover essential strategies to help you navigate the homeowners insurance claims process.
Why is it important to review your homeowners insurance policy before filing a claim?
Reviewing your policy helps you understand what's covered and excluded, preventing surprises during the claims process and ensuring you know your rights and coverage extent.
How can keeping a detailed record of communications with your insurer benefit your claim?
Maintaining detailed records ensures you have an accurate account of all interactions, helping resolve disputes and keeping your claim on track. Confirm information and request written confirmations to avoid misunderstandings.
When should you consider not accepting the first settlement offer from your insurer?
If the offer doesn't adequately cover repair costs, personal property losses or additional living expenses, you can negotiate for a better settlement. Also consider negotiating if there are damage assessment discrepancies or unexpected exclusions.
What steps should you take if you disagree with your insurance adjuster’s damage assessment?
Provide additional evidence like photos, videos and repair estimates from licensed contractors to support your case. Request a reassessment and negotiate with your insurer to reach a fair settlement.
Tips for Filing a Home Insurance Claim: Our Review Methodology
MoneyGeek analyzed quotes from multiple insurance providers across the U.S. using a profile that reflects the average homeowner. We compared different locations and companies to provide reliable estimates and show why comparing rates matters.
Homeowner Profile
Our analysis used a sample homeowner with these characteristics:
- Good credit score (769–792)
- Home built in 2000
- Wood-frame construction
- Composite shingle roof
Coverage Details
We used these coverage limits to collect quotes:
- $250,000 dwelling coverage
- $125,000 personal property coverage
- $200,000 personal liability coverage
- $1,000 deductible
We also analyzed policies with higher coverage for expensive homes: $1 million dwelling coverage, $500,000 personal property coverage and $1 million liability coverage.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.