Ready to collect every penny your policy owes you?
The average homeowner files a claim once — maybe twice — in their life. They have absolutely no idea what they’re doing. And insurance companies take advantage of that.
Here’s the truth:
Just 1 in 18 insured homes file a claim each year, according to the Insurance Information Institute. That’s millions of people forced to navigate a complex process they’ve never heard of.
The good news is the property insurance claim process is pretty simple. As long as you do it right. Skip one of these steps and the insurance company suddenly has justification to delay, minimize, or deny your payout completely. When big money is on the line and disputes turn nasty, having Property Damage Attorneys on your side can change everything.
Here’s how to make sure it goes smoothly.
What’s covered in this guide:
- What Is the Property Insurance Claim Process?
- Why Getting It Right Matters
- Step-by-step Claim Process
- When To Call The Professionals
What Is the Property Insurance Claim Process?
The property insurance claim process is when a homeowner follows their insurer’s procedure for reporting property damage and filing a financial claim for covered losses.
The process starts the moment damage occurs to your home. And it concludes when you receive final payment for repairs. Every step you take along the way impacts the result.
Make a mistake and you could be leaving money on the table.
Why You Need To Do Property Damage Claims Right
Let me fill you in on something homeowners don’t realize…
Out of all property insurance claims made, damage to the property accounts for 97.3% of all losses, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Think storms, fire, water damage, theft—you name it. Homeowners insurance exists for these types of incidents.
Claims are getting more frequent every year. Homeowners filed 18% more claims in 2023 than two years previous. Costs are soaring too. The average homeowners insurance claim hit $18,311 in 2023. That’s the highest amount in five years.
When claims costs keep skyrocketing you want to give yourself every advantage. Submitting a well-documented claim according to your insurer’s rules is the first step.
Step-by-Step Property Insurance Claim Process
This process works for every situation. No steps to skip.
Step 1: Prioritise Safety Above Everything
Before you do anything else…
Make sure everyone is safe and the property is secure. If the home is structurally damaged, contains gas leaks, or risk of fire. Immediately evacuate the building and contact emergency services.
Your safety is always more important than completing these steps.
Step 2: Document, Document, Document
Documenting damage is easily the most important step in the claim process. Your insurer will ask you to “prove” your damages. And the more proof you give them, the better.
Here’s what to do:
- Take photos and videos of all damage
- Do this before moving/disposing of anything
- Be methodical and document room by room
- Write your own detailed damage inventory list
You don’t need to clean or make temporary repairs yet. Insurance adjusters need to see the damage as close to the time of incident as possible.
Step 3: Review Your Insurance Policy
Grab a copy of your insurance policy.
You need to know a few things before you file a claim. Namely:
- What perils are covered (and which aren’t)
- What your deductible is
- If there are deadlines for reporting claims
Your policy also outlines the full claim process. Make sure to read it.
Missing a deadline can invalidate your entire claim. Don’t let that happen.
Step 4: File Your Claim ASAP
Reach out to your insurer to officially file your claim. Most companies allow homeowners to file online, via mobile app, or over the phone.
Before you call, make sure to have your policy number, damage description, and date of loss close by. Refer to your notes from step 3.
When you call, be concise and stick to the facts. Try not to guess at causes.
Step 5: Wait For The Adjuster To Inspect
Your insurance company will assign an adjuster to investigate and validate your claim. Expect them to contact you within a week of filing.
Let the adjuster walk through your entire home, not just damaged areas. Be present for the inspection and introduce the adjuster to any contractors you’ve hired. Give them copies of all documentation you compiled in step 2.
Your insurer will almost always base their settlement offer on the adjuster’s report.
Step 6: Get Contractor Repair Estimates
Your insurer’s goal is to pay you as little as possible.
Do NOT rely on the adjuster’s estimate to determine your settlement value. Get at least two, preferably three written estimates from your contractors. If your contractors quote higher than the insurance adjuster, you have tangible evidence to dispute their offer.
Having third-party repair estimates is the best way to increase a settlement offer.
Step 7: Review The Settlement Offer
You’ll receive a settlement offer from your insurer once the adjuster submits their report.
This number will likely be low. Take a look at your estimates and the coverage limits on your policy. If the insurer’s offer falls short, don’t accept it.
- Make sure all damaged areas are accounted for
- Check that depreciation has been factored into the offer
- Always question the first offer
Accepting the first settlement offer won’t get you a “better deal” later.
Step 8: Finish Repairs and Save Records
Assuming the repair costs were approved and you accepted the offer. It’s time to get your home back to normal.
Use your contractor estimates to guide repairs. Save all invoices and receipts for destroyed items. If additional damage is discovered during repairs, notify your insurer as soon as possible.
After-your-discovery claims are normal and should be filed immediately.
When To Call A Professional
Let’s be real, not all claims are settled fairly.
Insurance companies have lawyers on staff for a reason. They will stop at nothing to minimize your payout. If you’ve been denied benefits, lowballed, or your claim is taking unusually long to process—it may be time to hire a lawyer of your own.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know exactly what to do during the property insurance claim process. The whole experience should feel less intimidating.
Once again, here are the steps to take when filing a successful property insurance claim:
- Keep everyone safe first
- Document all damage before cleaning up
- Review your policy before filing a claim
- File your claim quickly
- Cooperate during the adjuster inspection
- Obtain repair estimates independently
- Question low settlement offers
- Save all repair documentation and invoices
Handling your insurance claim the right way doesn’t guarantee a perfect outcome. But it does massively increase your odds.
FAQs
How long does the property claim process take?
In general, most claims should be settled within a couple weeks. However some take months, especially if there are disputes. Homeowners who stay organised and responsive will see their claims resolved faster.
What do I do if my claim is denied?
Denials are never final. As a homeowner, you can appeal the decision or ask for your claim to be reviewed again. Hiring property damage attorneys drastically improves your chances of overturning the decision.
Can I dispute a low settlement offer?
Yes! In fact homeowners who get low offers should dispute them. You can use your independent contractor estimates and damage inventory to argue for more money.