File a homeowners insurance claim in a clear order: make sure everyone is safe, stop any ongoing damage with temporary repairs, document everything with photos and video, review your policy and deductible, then notify your insurer promptly. The insurer opens a claim, assigns an adjuster to inspect the damage, and makes a settlement offer based on your coverage. On replacement-cost policies, you are often paid in two checks — one up front and one after repairs are done. The single most important habit throughout is documentation: photos, receipts, and written notes protect your claim if the payout is disputed later. This is general information, not legal advice.
The steps, in order
Here is the sequence most insurers and state regulators describe, from the moment of loss to settlement.
| Step | What you do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ensure safety | Get people and pets clear of hazards; leave if the home is unsafe | Nothing else comes before safety |
| 2. Stop the damage | Make reasonable temporary repairs (tarp, board-up, water shutoff) | Most policies require you to prevent further loss |
| 3. Document everything | Photograph and video all damage before cleanup | Evidence is the backbone of your claim |
| 4. Review your policy | Check coverage, exclusions, and your deductible | Tells you what is covered and whether to file |
| 5. Notify your insurer | Report the loss promptly, in writing when possible | Late notice is a common reason claims are denied |
| 6. Meet the adjuster | Walk the damage with the assigned adjuster | You can point out damage they might miss |
| 7. Review the offer | Compare the estimate to your own documentation | You can dispute a low or incomplete estimate |
| 8. Get paid and repair | Accept payment; on RCV policies, complete repairs for the second check | Missing the repair deadline can forfeit money |
Step 1: Make sure everyone is safe
Before anything else, get people and pets away from hazards — downed power lines, standing water, gas leaks, or unstable structures. If the home is not safe to occupy, leave and keep receipts for a hotel and meals. Many policies include loss of use coverage that reimburses additional living expenses when your home is uninhabitable, but you will need those receipts to claim it.
Step 2: Stop the damage from getting worse
Most homeowners policies require you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage. That means tarping a roof, boarding a broken window, or shutting off the water to a burst pipe. Do not make permanent repairs yet — the adjuster needs to see the original damage. Keep receipts for tarps, plywood, and emergency services; those costs are often reimbursable as part of the claim.
Step 3: Document the damage before you clean up
Thorough documentation is what separates a smooth claim from a disputed one. Photograph and video every damaged room, item, and structural element from multiple angles before you move or discard anything. Write down what happened, when, and the extent of the loss. If you have a home inventory or older photos showing the property in good condition, pull those too. For a detailed method, see our guide on how to document home damage for an insurance claim.
Step 4: Review your policy and deductible
Before you call, read your policy’s declarations page and coverage sections. Confirm three things:
- Is the cause of loss covered? Standard policies exclude common perils like flood, earthquake, and pest damage. Knowing this up front avoids surprises.
- What is your deductible? If the repair cost is at or below your deductible, filing may pay nothing.
- Are you covered at ACV or RCV? This determines how much you are paid. See actual cash value vs. replacement cost for what each means for your payout.
Step 5: Notify your insurer promptly
Report the loss as soon as you reasonably can. Late notice is one of the most common reasons claims get denied (per the Texas Department of Insurance), so do not wait. When you call:
- Give your policy number and a factual description of the loss.
- Note the date and time, and the name of the representative.
- Ask for the claim number, the adjuster’s contact, and the next steps in writing.
Your policy and state law both set a deadline for reporting a loss, and these have changed recently in some states. .
Step 6: Work with the adjuster
The insurer assigns a claims adjuster to inspect the damage and estimate the loss. This person works for the insurer. Be present for the inspection, walk the property with them, and point out every area of damage — including hard-to-see spots like attic, crawlspace, or behind walls. Provide your own photos and documentation. You are allowed to ask how they calculated the estimate and to request it in writing.
If you feel outmatched or the loss is large, you can hire your own licensed advocate. A public adjuster works for you, not the insurer, and typically charges a percentage of the settlement.
Step 7: Review the settlement offer
When the insurer makes an offer, compare it line by line against your own documentation. If items are missing, undervalued, or the estimate uses the wrong coverage basis, you can dispute it. Bring your photos, contractor estimates, and receipts. Many policies also include an appraisal clause — a formal process to resolve disagreements over the amount of a covered loss. If the claim is denied outright, the denial should come in writing citing the specific policy language, and you have the right to appeal. See reasons home insurance claims get denied.
Step 8: Get paid, repair, and collect the second check
How you are paid depends on your coverage:
- Actual cash value (ACV) policies pay the depreciated value of the loss in a single payment.
- Replacement cost (RCV) policies commonly pay in two checks: the ACV amount first, then the withheld recoverable depreciation after you complete the repairs and submit proof.
If you have an RCV policy, do not stop at the first check — there is usually more money owed once the work is done, but only if you claim it before the deadline. Learn how in our guide to recoverable depreciation and the second check.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Throwing away damaged items before the adjuster documents them.
- Making permanent repairs before the inspection.
- Missing the reporting or repair deadlines set by your policy or state.
- Accepting the first offer without checking it against your own evidence.
- Not keeping receipts for temporary repairs, hotel stays, and meals.
When to get help
If your claim is denied, delayed without explanation, or the offer seems far below your loss, you have options. Start with your insurer’s internal dispute process, then escalate to your state Department of Insurance, which handles complaints against insurers. For large or complex losses, a licensed public adjuster or an attorney can advocate for you. Whichever route you take, keep your documentation organized — it is the foundation of every step above.
For the next stage, read how to document home damage and, if your claim runs into trouble, what to do when a claim is denied and how to appeal.