How To File a Homeowners Insurance Claim
Your home is damaged … now what? It may be time to file a homeowners insurance claim. If this is your first time filing a claim or you’re just unsure about what to do, read on for the details.
Key Takeaways
- Depending on your insurance company, you can file a claim online, via phone, or in person at a local office.
- The average insurance claims cycle is increasing – according to a 2025 study, the average time from damage to payout is the longest it’s been since 2008 when the study started.
- If you disagree with your insurance company’s decision regarding your claim, you have options: state your case with your insurer, get a second opinion from an adjuster, or consider pursuing legal action.
Before you file a claim, ask yourself if doing so is worth it and whether it qualifies.
The amount of time you have to file a claim after damages occur will vary based on many factors, including your location, policy, insurance company and the extent of damages. Check with your insurance company to determine how long you have.
The general recommendation, however, is to file the claim as soon as possible.
Once you decide that filing a claim is the right move, here are the general steps you should take. Keep in mind that the exact process may vary depending on the extent of damage and your insurance company.
- Contact the police: If the damage involves a crime (e.g., theft, vandalism), contact the police first. You’ll want to file a police report and get a copy of the report, along with the contact information of all involved officers. This information may be helpful during the claims process. If your damages don’t involve criminal activity, you don’t need to contact the police.
- Call your insurance company: Next, contact your insurance company. You can ask them any questions before you start the official claims process. Common questions include those related to your deductible, the claims timeline, and whether the peril is covered.
- Complete the claim forms: Next, you’ll complete any required claims forms. This officially starts the process. You may complete these forms online or in person, depending on the company. You may also be able to start your claim by phone.
- Work with the insurance adjuster: An insurance adjuster may visit your home to inspect any damage. In some cases, you may share images and videos of damage digitally. The adjuster’s job is to determine how much the insurer should pay for the claim.
Quick Tips for a Successful Claim
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Make a list of lost or damaged items and provide any receipts from the original purchase.
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Photograph or videotape the damages
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Make temporary repairs, but don’t throw away damaged items until your insurance adjuster views them. Keep receipts for any temporary repairs.
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Ask questions as you’re going through the process. If you don’t feel like your concerns are being heard, you can speak to an attorney or your state’s department of insurance for additional support.
Your insurance company has 30 days to acknowledge receipt of a claim, but the overall timeline for a home insurance claim varies. Studies find that overall, it’s taking longer.
According to a 2025 J.D. Power Study, the average claim cycle – the time from filing the claim to finishing repairs – is the longest it’s been since 2008, when the study began (32 days). The same is true for the time from loss to final payment – 44 days.
You should ask your insurance company for the average timeline so you know what to expect, and be sure to stay in contact with your insurer throughout the process.
Once your insurance company agrees to pay the claim, it must do so within a certain period – in many cases, it’s five business days, but that can vary. Insurers typically pay a claim with two checks:
- Check 1: This is issued based on the estimated cost of repairs, minus depreciation and your deductible.
- Check 2: This is issued after your insurer receives the contractor’s final bill for the job. Typically, repairs must be completed within one year of the loss to be paid out in a final check.
If your insurance company issues a judgment on a claim and you disagree with the decision, you have options:
- Explain your reasoning to your insurance company: You can speak with your insurer about why you disagree with the decision. They may make adjustments to your claim based on information they overlooked or any mistakes made.
- Complete an appraisal process: In this process, there are three appraisers – yours, the insurance company’s, and an independent person. If the appraisals from the first two differ, the third appraiser makes the final decision. You must pay for your appraiser and half the cost of the third appraiser.
- Hire a public insurance adjuster: If you disagree with the appraisal, you can work with a public insurance adjuster. Their job is to work for you, as opposed to the insurance adjuster who works for your insurer.
- Ask for alternative dispute resolution: Before going to court, you can ask for an alternative way to handle the dispute, such as mediation.
- Sue the insurance company: Finally, if you’re not satisfied with the previous steps taken, you can sue your insurance company.