How to Properly File an Insurance Claim

Does Renters Insurance Cover Water Damage?

• Windstorm or hail
• Weight of sleet, snow and/or ice
• Smoke
• Fire and/or lightning
• Explosions
• Freezing of plumbing systems
• Fire sprinkler failure/accidental discharge
• Accidental or sudden discharge of water from a plumbing system or other appliance
• Ceiling leaks
• Toilet flooding due to accidental overflow

Filing an Insurance Claim

1. Get in touch with your insurer or the agent who sold you the homeowner’s insurance. The insurance company will assign an adjuster, who will assess the damage and submit an estimate for review by the insurance company.
2. Document all losses. After the damage, take photos of the damage and make a list of items that were destroyed or need repair. Include the amount you paid for the items and gather any receipts you can find. The more you can document your property losses before the insurance adjuster arrives, the faster the claims-filing process will go. A standard homeowner’s insurance policy not only covers damage to the home’s structure but also the homeowner’s personal property.
3. Verify the adjuster’s identity. Scammers can show up after natural disasters. To protect yourself, ask the insurance company for the adjuster’s name before he or she arrives, then ask for identification before letting the person into your home.
4. Show the adjuster all the damage. Make sure that you are home when the adjuster visits and that he or she gets a complete view of everything that was lost or damaged. It’s not enough just to walk through part of your home.
5. Document all contact with the insurance company. After the adjuster leaves, remain in contact by email so that you have a backup of all your communication. Keep notes about when an adjuster visits, as well as any missed appointments, unreturned phone calls, what you discussed, and even if he or she was rude. Though you probably won’t need this information, it will be useful if any disagreements have to be resolved in court.
6. Make copies of all documents. Copy everything you give to the adjuster, such as your list of properties lost or damaged. If the adjuster advises you to start water damage removal, hurricane damage restoration or mold remediation, get that permission in writing.