Making a Home Insurance Claim — Step by Step
- Make the property safe — board up broken windows, turn off water if pipes burst. Do only what's necessary to prevent further damage.
- Report the loss to your insurer as soon as possible. Most policies require notification within 24-72 hours.
- Document everything — photograph all damage before any cleanup. Video walkthrough is even better.
- Do not throw away damaged items until the insurer has recorded them. Keep damaged items as evidence.
- Complete the claim form and provide receipts, valuations or photographs of lost/damaged items.
- Loss adjuster visit — a loss adjuster will visit to assess the damage and verify your claim.
- Claim settlement — approved claims are paid either to you or directly to the repairer/contractor.
Tips for a Successful Claim
- Keep a home inventory with photos and receipts of valuable items — before any loss occurs
- Store important documents (policy, receipts, valuations) in a fireproof safe or digitally in the cloud
- Get at least two repair quotes for the insurer to compare
- Be honest and accurate — exaggerating a claim is fraud and will void your entire policy
- Follow up regularly if your claim is taking longer than expected
Pro tip: Take a video walkthrough of your home annually, opening drawers and cupboards to record contents. Store it in the cloud. This is the single best thing you can do to speed up a future claim.