How to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim: A Step-by-Step Guide

Knowing how to file a homeowners insurance claim before you need to can save you weeks of stress and real money. A burst pipe, a fallen tree or a storm can leave you shaken, but the steps are the same each time: stay safe, stop the damage from spreading, document everything, and keep a paper trail. This guide walks through each step in plain language, with a worked deductible example and what to do if you disagree with the result.

Should you file a claim at all?

File when the damage is clearly bigger than your deductible or is extensive. If the repair costs only a little more than your deductible, paying yourself may be smarter. Your claims history can affect your premium and whether your insurer renews your policy, so get an estimate first.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) suggests you check your deductible before you report damage (NAIC). The NAIC also notes that most insurers report homeowners claims to private nationwide claim databases that other insurers can check (NAIC consumer guide).

Two things to remember before you decide:

• Some damage is hidden. A roof with a few missing shingles may also have wet decking underneath. The NAIC suggests having a contractor inspect if you are unsure.
• Not everything is covered. Standard policies usually do not cover flood or earthquake damage unless you bought that coverage separately. Our guide to flood insurance for homeowners explains why. To check what your own policy includes, see what homeowners insurance covers.

What should you do in the first 24 hours?

First, make sure everyone is safe. Then stop the damage from getting worse, take photos and video of everything, and report the claim. Keep receipts for any emergency supplies or repairs. Do not throw away damaged items until the adjuster has seen them or told you that you can.

1. Check for hazards. Downed power lines, gas smells or structural damage mean you should leave and wait for local officials to say it is safe (NAIC Post-Disaster Claims Guide).
2. Document the damage. Take wide shots of each room, then close-ups. Record video while you narrate what you see. Photograph serial numbers and model labels on damaged appliances.
3. Make temporary repairs. Tarp the roof, board up broken windows, shut off the water and start drying out wet areas. The NAIC says you are expected to protect the home from further damage.
4. Report the claim. Call your insurer or agent, or use its app or website. Have your policy number if you can find it. If not, your name, address and phone number usually work.
5. Start a claim log. Write down the date, time, name and what was said in every call. The Texas Department of Insurance recommends getting the adjuster’s name, phone number and email, and keeping notes on every call (TDI).

What to ask when you report the claim

The NAIC’s disaster guide suggests asking these questions on the first call:

• What is my claim number, and who is my contact?
• How long do I have to file the claim and any forms?
• Do I need repair estimates before the adjuster visits?
• Does my policy cover hotel costs, and for how much and how long?
• Do I have separate deductibles for wind, hail or hurricane damage?
• When will an adjuster contact me?

How do you document damage and belongings?

Make two lists: one for damage to the house and other structures, and one for damaged personal belongings. Add photos, receipts and estimates. If you have no records, rebuild the list from memory, from photos on your phone or from family members, and use online retailers to estimate replacement prices.

A home inventory made before a loss is the easiest way to do this. The NAIC suggests a room-by-room record with photos or video, stored somewhere off-site, such as online or with a relative. Update it when you buy something new and review it once a year.

For larger losses, the adjuster usually gives you time to finish the contents list. Ask how long you have.

How does the adjuster process work?

An adjuster inspects the damage, measures and photographs it, and reviews your policy to work out what is covered and how much the insurer will pay. Be home for the visit, walk the adjuster through every damaged area, and hand over your lists, photos and any written contractor bids.

• 15Business days to acknowledgeAfter you report
• 15Business days to accept or denyAfter it has what it needs
• 5Business days to payOnce it agrees to pay
• 10Days for lender contactAfter lender gets payment

Source: Texas Department of Insurance (as of October 18, 2026)

The NAIC describes three kinds of adjusters (NAIC Post-Disaster Claims Guide):

For a small claim, the NAIC says 3 to 5 days is a reasonable wait to hear from an adjuster, though it can take longer after a widespread disaster. If you hear nothing, call your agent or the insurer.

Some states set deadlines for insurers. For example, the Texas Department of Insurance says a company has 15 business days to acknowledge your claim and generally 15 business days after it has everything it needs to accept or deny it. Once it agrees to pay, it has five business days to send the money (TDI). Other states have different rules, so check with your state insurance department.

What is a proof of loss, and when is it due?

A proof of loss is a formal statement you send the insurer listing what was damaged and the dollar amount you are claiming. Some insurers require it, often on their own form. Missing the deadline can put your claim at risk, so ask about it right away.

The California Department of Insurance describes the proof of loss as a formal statement from the policyholder that helps the insurer decide how much it owes (CDI). Deadlines come from your policy and state law. In Minnesota, for example, an insurer may tell you in writing, by certified mail, that it can deny the claim unless it receives a completed proof of loss within 60 days (Minnesota Statutes 65A.296).

Will insurance pay for a hotel while repairs are done?

Usually, yes, if a covered loss makes your home unlivable. This is called additional living expense (ALE) coverage, or loss of use. It pays the extra costs of living somewhere else, such as a hotel or rental and reasonable restaurant meals, above your normal household costs.

The NAIC notes that ALE does not pay your mortgage, and it will not cover luxury choices. ALE limits are separate from the limits for rebuilding your home and replacing belongings. Save every receipt, because the insurer will reimburse you based on them.

How is the payment calculated?

The insurer takes the cost to repair or replace the covered damage, subtracts depreciation if your policy pays actual cash value, then subtracts your deductible. Payments are often made in stages: ALE first, then belongings, then repairs to the house.

• Insurance pays
• You pay (deductible)

View data as table

Deductible type	Insurance pays	You pay (deductible)
Flat $1,000	$13,000	$1,000
2% of $300,000	$8,000	$6,000

Worked example Source: The Homeowner Guide worked example (as of October 18, 2026)

Example (hypothetical): A windstorm damages your roof and siding. The covered repair estimate is $14,000.

The same storm can produce very different checks depending on the deductible type. That is why it pays to know your deductible before anything happens. Setting aside cash in a home maintenance budget can help you cover a large percentage deductible.

Replacement cost versus actual cash value

If your policy pays replacement cost, the insurer covers the cost to repair or replace with similar materials, without subtracting for age. If it pays actual cash value, it subtracts depreciation, which can sharply cut the payment for an older roof. The NAIC explains that a replacement cost policy may first pay actual cash value, then pay the rest (“recoverable depreciation”) once you show proof the work is done. That second payment usually has a time limit, which the NAIC says can range from 6 months to a year depending on state law and your policy.

Why is your mortgage lender on the check?

If you have a mortgage, your lender is named on your policy because it has a financial interest in the home. The NAIC explains that the insurer must include the lender on checks for major repairs. You endorse the check, and the lender releases the money, often in stages as work is finished.

The Texas Department of Insurance says that in Texas the mortgage company must contact you within 10 days of receiving the payment. Ask your loan servicer early about its process: what paperwork it needs, whether it inspects the work, and how many payments it will make. If you pay insurance through your mortgage, our guide to the mortgage escrow account explains how that account works.

If your lender is slow to release funds, the NAIC suggests contacting your state agency that regulates mortgage lenders or your state attorney general.

What if you disagree with the settlement?

Start by asking for the decision and the policy language behind it in writing. Then call the insurer and explain, with evidence, why you think the amount is wrong. If that fails, contact your state department of insurance. You may also use the appraisal clause in your policy, mediation where offered, or legal help.

Your options, in rough order:

1. Talk to the insurer. Send written contractor estimates that list materials and labor line by line. Differences in estimates are common.
2. Use the appraisal clause. If your policy has one, the process starts with two appraisers comparing their estimates of the loss. The NAIC notes that appraisal decides only the dollar amount, not whether something is covered, and you share some of the cost. If your policy has an appraisal clause, you generally must use it before you can sue.
3. Mediation or arbitration. Some states offer mediation programs. Arbitration is usually binding, so read the terms first.
4. Get help. You can hire a licensed public adjuster where allowed, or an attorney.

How to file a complaint with your state

Every state has an insurance department that takes complaints for free. Delays, denials and low settlements are among the most common reasons people file. The NAIC suggests gathering emails, photos and your call log, then writing a clear timeline of what happened (NAIC). You can find your state’s complaint page through the NAIC’s consumer website.

How do you avoid contractor scams after a disaster?

Scammers often show up right after storms. Be wary of anyone who knocks on your door, wants full payment up front, asks for cash or a wire transfer, or wants you to sign over your insurance check. Check licenses and insurance, get a written contract, and never pay the final amount until the work is done.

The Federal Trade Commission lists these warning signs (FTC):

• Saying no license is needed for the work
• Offering a discount only if you sign right now
• Asking you to sign over your insurance check, or to sign a blank contract
• Insisting on payment by wire transfer, gift card, payment app, cryptocurrency or cash
• Offering, for a fee, to help you qualify for FEMA aid (FEMA does not charge application fees)

The NAIC also urges caution before signing an assignment of benefits, which some states allow. It transfers your claim rights to someone else, usually a contractor, and you may give up control of the claim. Our step-by-step guide to hiring a contractor you can trust covers licenses, contracts and payment schedules in detail.

This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Your policy wording and your state’s rules decide what applies to your claim.