How to Document Damage for Homeowners Insurance Claims (2024)

Master the art of documenting damage for homeowners insurance claims and maximize your claim settlement. Don't let minor damage go unnoticed - even small claims can add up over time. Take control of your insurance claims by arming yourself with the knowledge and strategies to ensure fair compensation.

UPDATED: Dec 28, 2023Fact Checked

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Laura Kuhl

Insurance Content Team Lead

Laura Kuhl holds a Master’s Degree in Professional Writing from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Her career began in healthcare and wellness, creating lifestyle content for doctors, dentists, and other healthcare and holistic professionals. In 2018, she started writing for the cannabis industry. She curated news articles and insider interviews with investors and small business ow...

Insurance Content Team Lead

Dani Best

Licensed Insurance Producer

Dani Best has been a licensed insurance producer for nearly 10 years. Dani began her insurance career in a sales role with State Farm in 2014. During her time in sales, she graduated with her Bachelors in Psychology from Capella University and is currently earning her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Since 2014, Dani has held and maintains licenses in Life, Disability, Property, and Casualt...

Licensed Insurance Producer

UPDATED: Dec 28, 2023

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UPDATED: Dec 28, 2023Fact Checked

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on documenting damage and on how to file a home insurance claim. Whether you’ve experienced a natural disaster or an unfortunate accident, understanding how to effectively document the damage is crucial to maximizing your claim settlement.

By following these expert tips, you can ensure a smoother claims process and protect your financial interests. Don’t settle for less than what you deserve—take control of your insurance claims. Enter your zip code now to compare rates from the best insurance providers and secure the comprehensive coverage you need.

Emergency Repairs

Even before you start the process of filing a homeowners insurance claim, take immediate steps to prevent the damage from getting worse. Emergency repairs include covering a hole in the roof, boarding over damaged doors and windows, and take any additional steps that are needed to prevent the damage from getting worse. Failure to perform emergency repairs could result in your claim being denied or reduced.

Get Estimates

Get repair estimates from 2 or 3 different contractors. Even if you are planning to do the repairs yourself, these estimates will be used to determine the amount of the claim. Most insurance companies will send out an adjuster to make their own estimates, but this does not mean you have to accept the estimate given by the adjuster.

Include Receipts

If you have the original receipts for items that are damaged, include copies of them with your insurance claim. Being able to document when you bought the item and what you paid for it will help you get the claim settled faster. Because these receipts are so important, it is a good idea to keep them in a safe place such as a home safe or a safe deposit box at a financial institution.

Home Inventories

When you buy homeowners insurance, and anytime you make a substantial purpose, you need to make a home inventory. This might include a written list, but the best type of home inventory is a video recording. Move from room to room recording every item that belongs to you, from your appliances to your wardrobe. Don’t forget things that are outside of the
dwelling such as toys, lawn equipment, sporting goods or items stored in another structure on the property.

Loss of Use Claims

If you are not able to use some or all of the dwelling and other structures, you can claim the costs related to that loss of use on your homeowners filing. Be sure to provide receipts and document what each one was for. Loss of use might include renting a hotel room, using a Laundromat, or dining out at restaurants, among other things

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Case Studies: Documenting Damage for Homeowners Insurance Claims

Case Study 1: Water Damage

Mr. Johnson’s home experienced significant water damage due to a burst pipe in the basement. To document the damage for his homeowners insurance claim, he immediately took photographs and videos of the affected areas, capturing the extent of the water accumulation, soaked belongings, and any visible signs of structural damage. He also gathered invoices and receipts for repairs and contacted a professional water damage restoration company to assess and provide a detailed report on the extent of the damage.

Case Study 2: Fire Damage

After a devastating fire broke out in Mrs. Anderson’s kitchen, she needed to document the fire damage for her homeowners insurance claim. She thoroughly documented the charred appliances, furniture, and walls by taking photographs and videos from different angles. She also saved any relevant receipts for damaged belongings and hired a fire damage restoration specialist to inspect the property and provide a comprehensive report on the extent of the fire’s impact.

Case Study 3: Windstorm Damage

In the aftermath of a powerful windstorm, Ms. Roberts’ roof suffered severe damage, leading to leaks and potential structural issues. To document the damage for her homeowners insurance claim, she documented the fallen tree limbs, shingles blown off the roof, and any visible signs of interior water damage. Additionally, she collected estimates from roofing contractors for repair costs and obtained a professional inspection report highlighting the extent of the damage caused by the windstorm.

Case Study 4: Theft and Vandalism

When Mr. Thompson’s house was burglarized and vandalized, he knew he needed to provide comprehensive documentation to support his homeowners insurance claim. He took photographs and made a detailed list of stolen or damaged items, including electronics, jewelry, and furniture. He also filed a police report, which served as additional evidence. Additionally, he obtained repair estimates for any damage caused during the break-in and submitted receipts for stolen items, where available.

Case Study 5: Natural Disaster

Mrs. Martinez’s home was severely impacted by a recent earthquake. To document the damage for her homeowners insurance claim, she took photographs and videos of the structural cracks, foundation shifts, and damage to walls and ceilings. She also contacted a professional engineer to assess the structural integrity of her home and provide a detailed report on the earthquake’s impact. Additionally, she saved receipts for temporary repairs and estimates for the cost of necessary repairs and renovations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important to document damage for homeowners insurance claims?

Documenting damage for homeowners insurance claims is important because it helps to provide evidence of the damage and the extent of the loss to the insurance company. This can help ensure that you receive a fair and accurate settlement for your claim.

What should I do if my home is damaged?

If your home is damaged, the first thing you should do is make sure that you and your family are safe. Then, document the damage by taking photos and videos of the affected areas. You should also make a list of any damaged items and their estimated value.

What types of damage should I document for my homeowners insurance claim?

You should document all types of damage that are related to your claim, including damage to the structure of your home, personal property damage, and any other damage that is covered by your homeowners insurance policy.

How should I document the damage?

You should document the damage by taking clear and detailed photos and videos of the affected areas, as well as any damaged items. Make sure to take photos from multiple angles and in different lighting conditions. You should also keep any receipts or other documentation related to repairs or replacement costs.

How soon should I document the damage?

You should document the damage as soon as possible after the incident occurs. This can help ensure that you have a clear and accurate record of the damage before any repairs are made.

Should I file a claim even if the damage is minor?

It is up to you to decide whether or not to file a claim for minor damage. However, it is always a good idea to document the damage, as it can help you make an informed decision about whether or not to file a claim and can provide evidence for any future claims that you may need to file.

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Laura Kuhl

Insurance Content Team Lead

Laura Kuhl holds a Master’s Degree in Professional Writing from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Her career began in healthcare and wellness, creating lifestyle content for doctors, dentists, and other healthcare and holistic professionals. In 2018, she started writing for the cannabis industry. She curated news articles and insider interviews with investors and small business ow...

Insurance Content Team Lead

Dani Best

Licensed Insurance Producer

Dani Best has been a licensed insurance producer for nearly 10 years. Dani began her insurance career in a sales role with State Farm in 2014. During her time in sales, she graduated with her Bachelors in Psychology from Capella University and is currently earning her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Since 2014, Dani has held and maintains licenses in Life, Disability, Property, and Casualt...

Licensed Insurance Producer

Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.

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