How Do I File a Homeowners Insurance Claim?

Document the damage first, protect your home from further loss, then call your insurer promptly and file your claim. Keep every receipt and record every conversation. A clean, well-documented claim is the fastest path to a fair settlement.

Your immediate priority is safety and stopping further damage. If there is a fire or gas leak, leave the home and call 911. Once it is safe, take photos and video of the damage from every angle before anything is moved or cleaned up. That documentation is your evidence.

Then make reasonable temporary repairs to prevent more damage, such as tarping a damaged roof or boarding a broken window. Keep the receipts for those repairs, because your policy usually covers them. Do not make permanent repairs before the adjuster sees the damage.

After you file, your insurer assigns an adjuster to assess the damage and estimate the claim. Have your home inventory, receipts, and photos ready. Walk the adjuster through every item you are claiming and keep a copy of the estimate they produce.

If the settlement offer seems too low, you can push back with your own contractor estimates and documentation. Pennsylvania homeowners have the right to challenge a claim decision, and you can request a review or involve your state's insurance department if you believe you are being treated unfairly.