How to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim: Step-by-Step Checklist

To file a homeowners insurance claim, call your insurance company or agent as soon as you find the damage, then take reasonable steps to keep the damage from getting worse. After that, your job is to document the loss, work with the adjuster, send any paperwork the insurer asks for on time, and review the settlement before you accept it.

Your policy spells out these steps in a section usually called "Duties After Loss." This checklist walks through each one, using a standard policy form and state consumer guides as examples. Your own policy and your state's rules control, so check both.

Before you start, get a complete copy of your policy from your agent or insurer, not just the declarations page.

Step 1: Report the claim promptly

The widely used ISO Homeowners 3 form, which the Insurance Information Institute publishes as a sample ↗, lists "Give prompt notice to us or our agent" as the first duty after a loss. The Texas Department of Insurance ↗ says to contact your agent or company "right away to get the claims process started."

"Prompt" usually isn't a set number of days in the policy, but some states and policies set hard outer limits:

• Florida: Notice of a new or reopened property claim must be given within 1 year after the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months (Fla. Stat. 627.70132 ↗).
• Texas: TDI says some policies have a one-year deadline to file "unless you can show good cause for the delay" (TDI home insurance guide ↗).

Other states differ. Report first, then build your file. Write down your claim number and the name of everyone you speak with. For theft, the HO-3 form also requires notifying the police.

Step 2: Protect the property from further damage

This is often called your "duty to mitigate." The HO-3 form says you must "protect the property from further damage," make "reasonable and necessary repairs to protect the property," and "keep an accurate record of repair expenses." The same form treats reasonable protective repairs as covered costs, within your policy limits.

What this looks like in practice:

• Tarp a damaged roof or board up broken windows.
• Shut off water and start drying out wet areas.
• Move undamaged belongings out of harm's way.

Make only temporary fixes. TDI warns that "the insurance company might deny your claim if you make permanent repairs before it sees the damage" (TDI ↗). Save every receipt, and photograph the damage before you cover it up.

Step 3: Document everything

Good records are the backbone of any claim. Our guide on how to document damage for an insurance claim goes deeper, but the basics are:

• Photos and video of all damage, inside and out, before cleanup when it's safe.
• An inventory of damaged belongings. The HO-3 form asks for quantity, description, actual cash value and amount of loss, with bills and receipts attached.
• Damaged items. TDI says not to throw them away until the adjuster has seen them (TDI ↗).
• Living expenses. If you can't stay in your home, keep receipts for hotels, meals and other extra costs. The Insurance Information Institute ↗ says to save receipts and submit them for reimbursement.
• Copies of everything you send the insurer, plus a log of calls and emails.

Step 4: Meet the adjuster and get the insurer's estimate

Your insurer will assign an adjuster to inspect the damage and calculate the loss. The NAIC ↗ says the company or independent adjuster will share its estimates with you or with your public adjuster or lawyer, if you have one.

Be there for the inspection. TDI suggests walking around with the adjuster "to make sure they don't miss anything," and having your contractor present to discuss estimates (TDI ↗).

Ask for a written copy of the insurer's estimate. Compare it line by line with your contractor's bid. Look for missing rooms, materials or code upgrades.

Some states set deadlines for insurers too. In Texas, for example, the company must acknowledge your claim within 15 days and generally must accept or reject it within 15 business days after getting everything it needs from you (TDI ↗). Check your state's rules on the Texas, Florida or California pages, or with your state insurance department.

Step 5: Submit a sworn proof of loss if asked

A proof of loss is a signed, sworn statement of what you lost and how much you're claiming. Not every insurer requires one. The Insurance Information Institute ↗ says some companies ask for it and some waive it for simpler claims. TDI notes the form may need to be notarized (TDI ↗).

Watch the deadline closely:

• Standard form: The ISO HO-3 sample requires you to send "within 60 days after our request, your signed, sworn proof of loss" (III sample policy ↗). Note the clock starts with the insurer's request in that form. Your policy may use different wording.
• State rules can override the policy. In California, for losses tied to a declared state of emergency, insurers can't require proof of loss sooner than 100 days after the loss, and must grant extensions for good cause (CDI Bulletin 2026-5 ↗).
• Flood claims are separate. For NFIP flood policies, FEMA says to submit your proof of loss within 60 days after the date of loss, even if you disagree with the adjuster's estimate (FEMA ↗).

United Policyholders ↗ notes that policies often contain a 60-day proof-of-loss requirement. If you need more time, ask the insurer in writing for an extension and keep a copy of the reply.

Be accurate. The HO-3 form voids coverage for anyone who intentionally conceals facts or makes false statements.

Step 6: Review the settlement and get paid

The NAIC ↗ says "the settlement process is usually not a single transaction." You may get separate payments for living expenses, belongings and the structure.

Under many replacement cost policies, you're paid in two stages. TDI says most companies first pay the estimated repair cost minus depreciation and your deductible, then pay the rest after you send the contractor's bill for the finished work. In Texas that second payment depends on repairs being done within 365 days of the loss (TDI ↗). Your policy may set a different window.

If the offer looks low, tell the insurer why in writing and send your evidence. TDI says the company "may have overlooked something." If you still disagree, options include your policy's appraisal clause, a public adjuster, a complaint to your state insurance department, or an attorney for legal disputes. See our guide on an underpaid insurance claim.

Step 7: Expect your mortgage company on the check

If you have a mortgage, your lender will likely be named on the repair check. The HO-3 mortgage clause says covered losses to the home "will be paid to the mortgagee and you, as interests appear." The Insurance Information Institute ↗ says the lender typically must endorse the check, often holds the money in escrow, and releases it as repairs are completed.

Call your lender's loss draft department early. Ask what they need from you, such as contractor bids, inspections or lien waivers, and how long each release takes.

Do you need help filing?

Many homeowners handle small, simple claims on their own. A public adjuster charges a fee, often a percentage of your payout, so they may not be worth it for a quick, fair settlement. For large, complex or disputed claims, a licensed public adjuster can prepare the estimate and paperwork and negotiate for you. No adjuster can promise a bigger payment.

Get matched with a licensed public adjuster.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Deadlines and duties depend on your policy and state law, so confirm with your insurer, your state insurance department or an attorney.

Frequently asked questions

How soon do I have to report a homeowners insurance claim?

Most policies say "prompt" notice. Some states set outer limits. Florida requires notice of a new claim within 1 year of the date of loss, and TDI says some Texas policies have a one-year deadline. Report as soon as you can.

What is a sworn proof of loss?

It's a signed statement, made under oath and sometimes notarized, listing the cause of loss, the damage and the amount you're claiming. In the standard HO-3 form, it's due within 60 days after the insurer asks for it, but policies and state laws vary.

Can I make repairs before the adjuster comes?

Yes, but only temporary repairs that prevent more damage, like tarping a roof. Keep receipts and take photos first. TDI warns that permanent repairs before the insurer sees the damage could lead to a denial.

Why is my mortgage company on my insurance check?

Your lender has a financial interest in the home, and standard policies pay home repair losses to you and the lender together. The lender usually must endorse the check and may release funds in stages as repairs are done.

What if I disagree with the insurance company's estimate?

Tell the insurer in writing what it missed and send your evidence. If that fails, you can look at appraisal, a public adjuster, a complaint to your state insurance department, or an attorney.

Do I have to accept the first payment?

A first payment is often only part of the claim. NAIC says settlements usually come in several payments. Read any release carefully before signing it, and ask questions if it says "final."