How to Prepare a Home Insurance Claim

Photograph and video all damage immediately and before any cleanup or emergency repairs. Capture each damaged room from multiple angles, then close-up shots of specific damage points — roof damage, broken windows, water intrusion lines, structural cracks, or fire char marks. Include wide shots that show the damage in context of the surrounding space. This visual record is the baseline your adjuster will use to assess scope.

Create a room-by-room inventory of all damaged personal property. For each item, record the description, approximate age, estimated replacement cost, and any receipts or documentation you can locate. For high-value items (electronics, jewelry, appliances, furniture), note the brand, model number, and where it was purchased if known. An itemized list — not a rough estimate — strengthens your claim significantly.

Document all emergency protective measures you take: boarding up broken windows, tarping a damaged roof, water extraction, or utility shutoff. Photograph the work before and after it is done. Keep all receipts for materials and labor. Emergency repairs are typically covered under your policy's protection of property provision, but insurers require documentation to reimburse these costs.

If utilities were shut off — gas, electricity, or water — record when, why, and by whom. If a utility company, contractor, or fire department shut off a utility, get written documentation from them. These records help establish the scope and severity of the damage and support additional living expense claims if you cannot occupy the property.

Obtain two to three written estimates from licensed contractors for repair or rebuild costs. Your insurer will provide their own estimate, but independent contractor estimates give you a comparison baseline and are essential if you need to negotiate or dispute the insurer's scope of work.

Call 911 first if the damage involves an active fire, structural collapse, or other immediate safety hazard. Emergency services must clear the scene before any documentation work begins. If the property is not safe to enter, wait for official clearance before attempting to photograph or inventory damage.

Notify your insurance company as soon as possible — ideally within 24 to 48 hours or as soon as reasonably possible. Most homeowners policies require prompt notification, and excessive delay can complicate coverage. Your insurer will open the claim, assign an adjuster, and send instructions for the next steps. Have your policy number, the date of the loss, a brief description of what happened, and an estimate of the scope ready when you call.

Contact licensed contractors to obtain repair estimates, but do not begin non-emergency repairs before the adjuster's inspection unless delay would cause additional damage. Your policy's protection of property provision allows emergency repairs to prevent further damage, but cosmetic or structural repairs should wait until the adjuster has documented the loss.

If your home is uninhabitable, contact your insurer's additional living expense (ALE) line to activate that benefit immediately. ALE covers hotel costs, food expenses above your normal costs, and other reasonable expenses while your home is being repaired. There are dollar and time limits — activate the benefit at claim opening to avoid losing coverage.

After you file the claim, your insurer will assign an adjuster who will schedule an inspection visit. For major structural damage or large losses, the adjuster typically visits within one to two weeks. Some insurers use independent adjusters contracted from third-party firms — they work on behalf of the insurer, not you. You have the right to a public adjuster who represents your interests, though this involves a fee (typically a percentage of the final settlement).

During the inspection, the adjuster will document damage, take measurements, and assess the cost to repair or replace. This includes both the structure and personal property. Provide your room-by-room inventory and contractor estimates at this meeting. Ask the adjuster to document every item you believe should be included in the scope — undocumented damage may not appear in the settlement.

The insurer will issue a scope of loss report, which itemizes what they will cover and at what cost. Review this document carefully and compare it to your own documentation and contractor estimates. If items are missing, undervalued, or excluded based on policy language you do not agree with, submit a written response identifying each discrepancy with supporting evidence.

Payment for structural repairs is typically issued in two installments: an initial payment when the claim is approved, and a recoverable depreciation payment when repairs are completed. If you have a replacement cost value (RCV) policy, you recover the full replacement amount — but you must complete the repairs and submit proof before receiving the depreciation holdback.

If you are displaced, keep all ALE receipts and submit them to your insurer on the schedule they specify. ALE has a per-claim dollar limit and a time limit — usually 12 to 24 months, though some policies have shorter or longer limits — check your declarations page. Track your expenses carefully so you can claim the full benefit you are owed.