The Do’s & Don’ts of Submitting a Homeowners Insurance Claim

Your homeowners insurance policy comes with plenty of rules and regulations, but it doesn’t come with a map. Submitting a claim is one of the most important things you’ll ever do. But it can be a complicated process. 

We’ve outlined some of the things you must do — and the things to avoid — so you can tackle this important step with confidence.

Understanding the Complexities of Submitting a Home Insurance Claim 

It may seem simple to submit a homeowners insurance claim. But in reality, the process can be complicated and hard to understand. And common mistakes could make your payment smaller than what you need to recover from an event. 

You could ask your homeowners insurance agent for help, but know that this organization isn’t working for you. An insurance company wants to reduce the payout size, not give you what you need. 

Know that many people file homeowners insurance claims every day. If they can do it, so can you. Learning from their successes and mistakes could be incredibly helpful. 

Key Facts

Do’s: Best Practices for Submitting a Homeowners Insurance Claim

Following reasonable steps can ensure that your homeowners insurance claim moves as smoothly as possible. Here’s what our research suggests: 

Act Promptly 

Most policies require homeowners to file claims at least one year from the event.[4] But typically, the sooner you can file, the more effective your claim will be. 

Your insurance company usually wants to see evidence of the damage. In some cases, your company will want to send someone out to inspect the losses in person. Delaying the filing process could make those inspections and documentation more difficult (or even impossible). 

Review Your Policy 

Only 30% of American homeowners know what’s covered in their homeowners insurance policy.[5] When you’re not sure what you’ve purchased, it’s hard to fight for your rights. 

Every year, read your policy before you renew it. Visit a property lawyer to explain any terms you don’t understand. When it’s time to file a claim, you’ll be ready. 

And if you’re not ready, those same steps apply. Read your policy, and visit with a legal expert to define anything you don’t understand. 

Document the Damage

As part of the claims process, you must make a list of everything that was damaged.[6] Adding photos and videos of the damage may help too, especially if an adjuster isn’t coming to the property to inspect the damage. 

Before a disaster strikes, make a complete inventory of your home. Include items, serial numbers, prices paid, locations, and photographs. Comparing these before documents to those you take after the event can be very compelling. The more thorough this inventory, the better it will serve to support your claim.

Provide Accurate Information 

It’s tempting to exaggerate your damages, especially if your finances were tight before the covered incident. But if you’re caught in a lie, your insurance company could reject your entire claim. You could lose coverage for everything, including items that are protected by your policy. 

Refer to your inventory completed before the incident. Don’t claim you’ve lost anything that isn’t shown on this document. 

If you’re tempted to embellish or lie about anything, ask someone to fact-check you during every conversation. They may interrupt you from time to time, but you’ll stay safe. 

Keep Accurate Records

As part of the claim process, you’ll talk with your insurance company multiple times. You might exchange phone calls, email notes, text messages, and formal paperwork. Every single one of these exchanges should be documented. 

Create a spreadsheet to track the following items:

• Date and time of the exchange
• Whom you talked with 
• What you discussed
• What next steps are required 

Detailed records like this can help refresh your memory, especially during stressful times. These notes could also be useful to a lawyer if your claim goes south and you need help. 

Don’ts: Mistakes to Avoid When Submitting a Claim 

Common slips could derail your claim timeframes. As a worst-case scenario, they could reduce the amount your insurance company pays for a covered loss. Here’s what you need to know:

Don’t Delay Reporting 

As we mentioned, holding onto your losses instead of sharing them with your insurance company is a common mistake. You may want to clean up your home, attend to your family, or address your trauma. But notifying your insurance company should be at the top of your to-do list. 

Delaying reporting makes tracking losses more difficult. And, in some cases, it could invalidate some types of claims altogether. 

Don’t Exaggerate or Misrepresent 

Researchers say about 75% of people lie up to two times per day.[7] Don’t make this mistake while submitting a claim with your homeowners insurance company. Be truthful and honest about what you had and lost, even if it means you’ll get less money than you would if you lied. 

If you’re caught in a lie, your insurance company could deny your entire claim. You could also be prosecuted for insurance fraud, which comes with steep legal consequences. It’s just not worth it.

Don’t Discard Damaged Items 

After severe storms, fires, or burst pipe episodes, almost everything in your home could be ruined. And it’s tempting to throw out things like pillows, blankets, and furniture as a quick cleanup method. Don’t make this mistake. 

Your insurance company may choose to send an adjuster to your home to examine the damage firsthand. Anything you’ve cleaned up or removed is impossible to inspect and could be excluded from your settlement. 

Don’t Assume Everything Is Covered

After something terrible happens to your home, it’s easy to begin by filing a claim. But this could be a mistake that costs you money. 

For example, you may assume basement flooding after a storm is a covered event. But your policy may specifically exclude this type of damage. Your claim could be almost instantly rejected, but your company might examine this claim when setting rates for the next year.

Read your policy very carefully and ensure you know what is and is not covered within your plan. 

Don’t Ignore Insurer’s Requests 

Your insurance company may pepper you with requests for photos, receipts, and in-person appointments. Delaying your response could be a mistake. Your company could interpret your tardiness as some kind of fraud. And your claim could be rejected accordingly. 

Working with your company and answering questions quickly can keep your claim timely and on track. If you’re uncertain on any part of the process, contact your provider with your questions. 

Don’t Disregard Expert Opinions

If your claim is complex, hiring outside help could be smart. An independent public adjuster could examine the damages and determine what the company should pay you. A lawyer could inspect your contract and find out what is and isn’t covered. 

If you hire experts, listen to them. Know that they are working on your behalf, so they have your best interest in mind.

Getting Help Navigating Your Homeowners Insurance Claim 

Filing a homeowners insurance claim can be a complicated and long-lasting process. Sometimes, you’ll need help to ensure that your coverage is applied properly. 

Getting help from a lawyer or independent adjuster is always a smart idea, especially if your claim is complex or confusing. These professionals can help you to get the most out of your claim and alleviate stress in the process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Submitting a Homeowners Insurance Claim

We’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about the do’s and don’ts of submitting a homeowners claim. 

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Reviewed by Kristopher Kane

Kristopher Kane is a career freelance writer with over 15 years of experience and a broad portfolio encompassing various topics within the insurance industry. He has written for both B2B communication and consumer-level customer engagement.