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No homeowner wants to have to file a homeowners insurance claim. But if a covered problem arises, you’ll need to let your insurer know, so it’s important to understand how to file a home insurance claim. Read on to learn what steps you can follow when you need to file a claim.
Key Points
• Best practices for how to file a home insurance claim begin with filing the claim promptly after a covered incident occurs, which typically includes fire, wind, water, theft, vandalism, or structural issues.
• Documentation can strengthen your claim, so take clear photos and videos of the damage before cleanup, list damaged items with their estimated values, and include a police report when relevant.
• Preventing further damage is a good idea, so policyholders may want to cover exposed surfaces or shut off utilities as needed to stop additional harm while they’re awaiting the claims process.
• Filing a claim generally requires providing specific details, including the policy number, date and cause of losses, damage description, and supporting documents.
• Processing times vary widely, from one week to several months depending on claim type and damage extent.
When Should You File a Home Insurance Claim?
When there’s a problem in your home — whether it’s a theft or a falling tree that damages your roof — you’ll likely have a lot to deal with. But the more you know about how to file a claim with your homeowners insurance company, the better off you’ll probably be. Reviewing a homeowners insurance glossary may also be useful.
It’s generally advisable to file a home insurance claim as soon as possible after the covered incident occurs. However, not all incidents are covered by homeowners insurance. Before filing a home insurance claim, it can be helpful to be sure you understand what homeowners insurance covers.
For example, if you’re not sure whether your homeowners insurance covers roof leaks, it could make sense to check your policy before trying to proceed with a claim.
Additionally, you’ll probably only want to file a claim with your homeowners insurance company if there’s significant damage caused by fire, wind, or water; theft; vandalism or other criminal activity; or structural damage that affects the safety or livability of your home. Smaller losses that fall below your deductible may not be worth filing for.
Recommended: Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage?
How To File a Homeowners Insurance Claim
There are several steps to follow when you’re filing a homeowners insurance claim, from documenting damage to working with your adjuster and getting repairs done. Here’s a rundown of the process.
Step 1: Document the Damage
Take clear photos and even videos of the damage before you clean up or make repairs. Make a list of the damaged items, including their estimated values. If you have a police report, include that in your documentation.
Step 2: Prevent Further Damage
Do your best to prevent any more damage from occurring. This might involve covering exposed surfaces or shutting off utilities if needed, for example.
Recommended: Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Theft?
Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Provider
You can generally file a claim with your homeowners insurance online or by phone with your insurance provider. You’ll probably need to provide your policy number, the date and cause of your losses, a description of the damage, and any supporting documents.
Step 4: Work With Your Claims Adjuster
At this stage, the insurance company will send a claims adjuster to inspect your property, confirm coverage, and estimate repair costs. The claims adjuster may ask additional questions.
Step 5: Review the Estimate and Complete Repairs
The claims adjuster will submit their findings. Be sure to thoroughly review the report and payment estimate. If anything looks incomplete or unclear, you can request clarification before approving. Once the estimate is approved, you can hire licensed contractors to handle your repairs. Remember to keep copies of all receipts, correspondence, and invoices.
Recommended: Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Fire?
What To Expect After Filing a Claim
After you submit your home insurance claim, this is what will likely occur.
• An acknowledgement of your claim from the insurance company
• A property inspection
• A settlement review
• If your claim is approved, a payment
Bear in mind that it can take between one week and several months to process the home insurance claim, depending on the type of claim, the extent of the damage, the availability of contractors, and how quickly documentation is provided. Payments may arrive in multiple parts.
If your claim is denied, you can appeal the decision. A claim might be denied because the damage is excluded by the policy.
If you change your mind after filing a home insurance claim, you might be able to cancel it, as long as you have not yet received a payout for it. Fortunately, most insurers won’t charge you a fee to cancel a claim. But your closed claim will still appear in your home’s claims history, and it could affect your premiums and how much your homeowners insurance is in the future.
The Takeaway
When you’re filing an insurance claim, it can help if you have been consistently keeping an updated home inventory and reviewing your coverage details annually. Once you’ve filed your claim, to expedite resolution, you may want to communicate promptly with your adjuster, use licensed contractors, and be honest and accurate.
If you’re a new homebuyer, SoFi Protect can help you look into your insurance options. SoFi and Lemonade offer homeowners insurance that requires no brokers and no paperwork. Secure the coverage that works best for you and your home.
SoFi brings you real rates, with no bait and switch.
FAQ
How long does a homeowners insurance claim take to process?
Home insurance claims can take between one week and several months to process, depending on the type of claim, the extent of the damage, the availability of contractors, and how quickly documentation is provided. Claims may take longer when there are widespread weather events or natural disasters in the area.
Will filing a home insurance claim raise my premiums?
Not every home insurance claim raises your premiums. It depends on a few factors, including frequency, severity, and cost. Multiple claims within a short period of time or claims that involve significant losses may influence future rates or coverage options.
Can I cancel a home insurance claim after filing?
You can usually cancel a home insurance claim after filing if you haven’t yet received a payout for it. Fortunately, most insurers won’t charge you a fee to cancel a claim. But your closed claim will still appear in your home’s claims history, and it could affect your premiums in the future.
What if my home insurance claim is denied?
If your claim is denied, you can appeal the decision. Remember that a claim may be denied because the damage is excluded by the policy.
Do I need a police report to file a home insurance claim?
A police report is not always required to file a home insurance claim, but it can help provide formal documentation of the incident, especially in cases of theft, vandalism, or serious accidents. Some insurance companies may request a police report.
Photo credit: iStock/Daenin Arnee
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