What is the property damage insurance claims process?
If you need to file a property damage insurance claim, you should familiarize yourself with the claims process. The process may be specific to your insurance company, so check your home insurance policy or speak to a company representative if you have any questions. Most policies require that you assess the damage and file police reports when necessary before receiving payment. Most claims will be paid out in multiple installments, depending on the extent of the damage and the need for repairs.
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Ty Stewart
Licensed Insurance Agent
Ty Stewart is the founder and CEO of SimpleLifeInsure.com. He started researching and studying about insurance when he got his first policy for his own family. He has been featured as an insurance expert speaker at agent conventions and in top publications. As an independent licensed insurance agent, he has helped clients nationwide to secure affordable coverage while making the process simpl...
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UPDATED: Aug 15, 2023
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UPDATED: Aug 15, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Property damage claims for homeowners insurance can be complicated
- The first payment you receive from your home insurance is often not the final payment
- The steps to file a property damage claim for personal and commercial property are very similar
If you need to make a property damage claim with your home insurance policy, you may want to familiarize yourself with the claims process before doing anything.
Most home insurance policies specify what the claims process will look like, but every company has the option to handle it differently. If you have questions about filing a claim with your home insurance policy, you can speak with a representative from your insurance company.
You may want to look into purchasing a home insurance policy with a new company. If that’s the case, be sure to shop around for coverage and compare quotes from multiple companies before you make a final decision. This will help you avoid paying too much for coverage.
You can use our free quote tool above to find and compare home insurance rates with top companies in your area today.
Table of Contents
How do you make a home insurance claim?
Handling property damage claims with your insurance company will likely be a straightforward process. Since there are different types of property damage claims, you may have to file a claim in a specific way, depending on what was damaged.
Some of the most common property damage claims related to home insurance include:
- Wind and hail damage
- Fire damage
- Water damage
- Sinkhole damage
- Hurricane damage
- Theft damage
- Tree damage
- Flood damage
If your property has been damaged, you will want to file a claim based on one of the property damage claim types.
Read more: Does my auto insurance cover damage caused by a flood or hurricane?
The typical steps involved in filing a property damage claim with your home insurance company include:
- File a police report (if necessary)
- Notify your insurance company of the damage
- Make any urgent repairs as soon as possible
- Document the claim, including any fees you paid out of pocket
- Keep in touch with your insurance company until you receive the full payment
Your insurance company may ask you to follow different steps to receive a home insurance payment for your claims. Make sure you ask a representative or agent if you have any questions about your policy and how to handle any outstanding claims or damages.
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Is there a claim time limit on property damage?
When filing property damage claims, every state’s laws are different. Depending on where you live, you may have anywhere from six months to three years to file a claim with your insurance company, citing the diminished value of your property.
The truth is, it’s best to file a property damage claim as soon as possible to make sure you get the money you deserve for repairs. Otherwise, you may end up paying for more than you need to.
When will I get paid by my home insurance company?
Once you file a claim, the time it takes to receive a payment for property repairs depends on your company. It’s important to remember that the initial check you get from your insurance company is often not the final payment.
The first installment you get from your insurance company is often an advance against the total settlement amount you will receive. So don’t stress if the initial payment is not enough to cover the extent of the damages.
Be sure to contact your home insurance company to inform them if you have not received payment or if you’re waiting on confirmation that your claim was accepted.
What is the claims process for commercial property damage?
If you need to file a commercial property claim, it’s a good idea to speak directly with your insurance company to ensure you follow the proper steps to receive the property payment.
Typically, the steps to filing a commercial property claim are as follows:
- Gather the proper evidence
- File a police report (if necessary)
- Contact your insurance agent to file a claim
- Work with your insurance company to assess the damage
- Gather estimates for all the required repairs
- Make sure repairs are complete
- Settle the claim with your insurance company
If your insurance company tells you to handle a commercial property claim differently than the steps listed above, be sure to follow their instructions. Otherwise, you may forfeit some or all of your claim checks.
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Should I file a property damage insurance claim?
You may be hesitant to file a property damage claim because of your insurance company’s low claims satisfaction or because you don’t want your home insurance rates to increase. However, the only time it doesn’t make sense to file a claim with your home insurance policy is if your claim will be less than your deductible amount.
Call your insurance company and speak with an agent if you are uncertain how to handle your claim. Don’t settle for little to no payment if you believe the company owes you based on your home insurance policy.
If you are shopping for a new home insurance policy, be sure to shop around for coverage from multiple companies. Compare quotes to find companies offering the best coverage for an affordable price.
Also, be sure to use our free quote tool below to find and compare rates for home insurance coverage in your area today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the property damage insurance claims process?
If you need to file a property damage insurance claim, familiarize yourself with the claims process. The specific steps may vary depending on your insurance company. Typically, you’ll need to assess the damage, file police reports if necessary, and receive payment in multiple installments based on the extent of the damage and repairs needed.
Is there a claim time limit on property damage?
The time limit for filing property damage claims varies by state. It’s best to file a claim as soon as possible to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for repairs. Delaying the claim could result in paying more out of pocket.
When will I get paid by my home insurance company?
The time it takes to receive payment for property repairs after filing a claim depends on your insurance company. The initial payment you receive is often an advance and may not cover the full extent of the damages. Contact your insurance company if you haven’t received payment or need confirmation that your claim was accepted.
What is the claims process for commercial property damage?
To file a commercial property claim, consult your insurance company for specific steps to follow. Generally, you’ll need to document the damage, notify your insurer, and provide supporting evidence such as photographs or repair estimates. Follow the instructions given by your insurance company to ensure a smooth claims process.
Should I file a property damage insurance claim?
Unless the claim amount is less than your deductible, it usually makes sense to file a property damage insurance claim. Don’t hesitate to contact your insurance company or agent for guidance. If you’re shopping for a new policy, compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best coverage at an affordable price.
Compare over 200 auto insurance companies at once!
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Ty Stewart
Licensed Insurance Agent
Ty Stewart is the founder and CEO of SimpleLifeInsure.com. He started researching and studying about insurance when he got his first policy for his own family. He has been featured as an insurance expert speaker at agent conventions and in top publications. As an independent licensed insurance agent, he has helped clients nationwide to secure affordable coverage while making the process simpl...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.